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Chris McCandless, I still can't pinpoint exactly how I feel about him. I will be honest and say when reading the beginning of the book, I did not like him at all. He seemed very careless and high and mighty. I say this because he entered the trip carrying not enough gear and very little food. And when people offered to help, he didn't take it, even though the people offering had good intentions. He seemed very closed off, private, he left everyone. I feel sorrow for his sister. As a young sister with only older brothers, if any one of my siblings just disappeared and the next thing I heard from them was that they had passed away, I would feel so devasted and crushed as Carine did. I feel like the beginning was just an overall eerie feeling only because it didn't give much insight into his life but rather what happened in his death and all the events leading up to it.

Not all the time I did dislike Chris McCandless, his determination and passion for living and being in the wild is truly an inspiration. I just know being in the Wild is his freedom, his happy place. What really stood out to me was his note where he wrote "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD" as it connects back to when Chris said, "Happiness is only real when shared." His documentation of his whole adventure shared and highlighted his happiness for the wild and his strive to reach the great north. Once reading more into the book, you realize Chris wasn't an all-time bad guy, he just prefers to be with himself, independent and away from anywhere where he feels his freedom is restricted. Donating his money, giving up the lavish lifestyle where he had everything, to live and be in the moment where he had nothing. It's a tragedy he died so soon and young but he passed away in a place where it was his escape. I want to find my happiness just like Chris did.

There are so many things Chris could have done or not done that may have prevented his death like taking more gear on the trip, taking the dog, or taking a map. But if he were to do all these things, his journey would not have exhibited the hardships and new experiences that went through on his actual adventure.

#4thewild #purpose #dedicated2theoutside

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The picture above I took a few years ago at a camping site up North in California. It my first time camping and I absolutely loved the environment. I don't remember being on my phone while on the trip (besides taking photos). Waking up with the warmth of the sun and the outside breeze, it is a feeling I won't forget.

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Summary: Chris returns to the bus as he fails to cross the river. He wasn't worried if his escape routes (pg.188) had been cut off, he knew at some point the river flow would slow down. He mentions in his journal the things he occupied himself with including killing (pg.188) a wide variety of animals. His starvation (pg.189) began as soon as he finished the book. He planted potatoes seeds (pg.190) but that soon backfired as it has a poison that when eating large amounts of potatoes, causes side effects like vomiting and headache. Without a map (pg.196), Chris didn't know there were cabins up north.

Analysis: Starvation is one of the most painful deaths, can't imagine how Chris must have felt. If I were in his situation, I would do anything to survive which means I would make the same mistake of the potato seeds. He wrote he had a long and happy life, and I aspire to write that statement when my journey comes to an end, everyone deserves happiness and Chris's happiness was being one within the wild.

#RIP #potatopoison #happiness>everything

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Summary: Time for Krakauer's adventure,when he was younger he decided to climb a very dangerous mountain, choosing the most difficult route, in Alaska.

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Summary: Carine McCandless, the sister to Chris, is the main focus of the chapter as it reflects in her vulnerable and grieving moments when she discovered her brother was dead. Photos (p.128) from when the two were young, the expressions of Chris have not changed, he's the same. The difference in their expressions is a representation of who they are, Chris looks annoyed (p.128) almost like he had been forced to be in the photo while Carine is just happy to be there. Buckley, the family dog (p.128), was said by Carine to be the companion of Chris. She mentions how their parents did not let Chris take Buckley onto his trip, Chris would never put the dog in danger. Months after Chris's death, Carine still finds herself breaking down (p.129) of the thought of Chris on her drives to the shop. Like most, Carine was shocked to find out Chris had died. Her mom and herself lost weight, they had no appetite, even friends became worried Carine would become anorectic (p.131). Her parents and herself go to Alaska to pick up Chris's ashes and belongings.

Analysis: I feel like this was a very heartbreaking chapter because I can't imagine the pain it must be to lose a loved one, especially a brother. I only have brothers and reading how Carine felt looking back at their photos together realizing that she couldn't say goodbye is saddening. I get this feeling that Carine was probably the person who understood on a different level Chris's mindset, or his drive for the wild.

#siblings #4everthinkingofu #goodbye

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Not the place Chris wants to be at...........

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Summary: After graduation, Chris was thrown a party by his parents where his dad gifted him a telescope (pg.117). Chris was real sentimental and was very appreciative of his father despite their differences. Turns out, Samuel McCandless had 8 kids (pg.118) with different women and at one point they were both pregnant at the same time! Chris set out on a trip through the American West and keeps in contact with his family until he got lost and dehydrated in the Mojave desert. His parents mention how he's overconfident (pg.118) in everything he does because he is so good at anything he does. His parents helped him settle in college, he had good grades but he became introverted and cold (pg.120). Knowing his father's secret, took a huge toll on Chris, psychologically, he didn't want to know or contact them (pg.124).

Analysis: Well Samuel McCandles is the definition of a player. It's crazy to me to have 2 different families developing/evolving at the same time! I am not surprised this information impacted Chris, especially since he held everything in rather than releasing it. He develops into this person who doesn't care what others think and it began to be noticeable in his writing for the university newspaper.

#Samuel4thestreets #player #dontcare

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Summary: Taking a look into McCandless's family after the death of Chris, they were in a lot of pain (pg.104).  His father mentions how it hurts to see him gone, his company was his favorite although he would be frustrated (pg.104) with Chris. Samuel McCandless, was a very successful young man, despite his first marriage, he takes control (pg.105) of his life. Chris's love for the outside possible (most likely) came from family camping and hiking (pg.109) trips. Overall, Chris lived in a very stable home, he was good at everything he did, successful (pg.116), and young just like his father.

Analysis: Honestly was not expecting Chris to have most of a supportive and "normal" family situation. I guess I was expecting for him to have a family that didn't care for him, but rather his family just didn't understand him. Chris's drive for the wild was sure highlighted and sparked when he was young. I think he sees the wild as an escape and freedom to do whatever he wants and be whoever he wants.

#justlikedad #wildsincebirth #care

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Newspapers (p.98) began to cover the news of McCandless's death. Since it was published onto the front cover of a newspaper, Jim Gallien notified the state troopers (pg.99). They didn't believe him because people have called before stating the same claim. Gallien used everything he could to convince the troops that he knew who Alex was, from mentioning the equipment and gear to the pictures (pg.99). The only issue was Chris had told Gallien he was from South Dakota so police began searching for his family there. Wayne Westerberg hears the news of Chris over the radio (pg.100), once again he calls the state troops, they don't believe Wayne until Wayne mentioned the social security number Chris used. The police find Chris's half-sibling, Sam McCandless, where he identifies Chris through a headshot (pg.101) and notifies his parents of Chris's death.

Analysis:  I was getting a little frustrated when the state troops didn't believe either Gallien or Westernberg but I also understand the number of calls they must have received that ended in false alarms. It's interesting to see the number of relationships Chris had created throughout his journey who were people that did care about him. I also feel like it must be heartbreaking to find out the death of someone who had such drive and mentality as Chris, he was truly unique and different.

#truecompanions #wanting2help #neverforgotten

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young boy who had a similar destiny.......

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Summary: This chapter revolves around a guy named, Everett Rues, who had a similar outcome like Chris McCandless, Everett had disappeared (pg.89) into the desert. They both had the same impulse (pg.89) that drove them into inscribing their name/symbol into something while on their trip. They both sent similar letters/postcards (pg.92) to someone when they decided to take on life in the wild. Rues even adopted a new name (pg.93), like McCandless. Ruess was found dead at the bottom of Davis Gulch, most likely died from falling from climbing a canyon wall (pg.94).

Analysis: It is so bizarre and crazy to learn about another person's story who is SUPER similar to McCandless. It is so spot-on, from their origin to their ending. I feel like they died doing what they love, they are so immersed into the wild, almost as if compelled. They went through such a similar experience, down to the families to the name switching to the ending of their lives.

#twins #nature4life #compellingsights

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Chris stopped (pg.38) taking pictures and writing for a while before he reached Alaska. Chris was thinking of settling (pg.39) and leaving his life of trampling behind. He got a job at McDonald's, he used his real name and social security (pg.40).  An altercation with co-workers because of Chris's smell (pg.41), he had been hiding from them the truth. After quitting, he meets Charlie a man who gives him everything including a home (pg. 41).

Analysis: The only thing I have been focusing on over the last few chapters is how lucky Chris is, inconsistently finding people who are willing to offer their home to help Chris. Without his luck, his journey would have been cut short.

#newbeginning #flippingpatties #smellslikesucess

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Rangers in Lake Mead National Park, discover a yellow Datsun that has been abandoned (pg.26) filled with random junk and had to mud because of a flash flood, but a few days later were able to jump-start the vehicle. The vehicle had no recent owner (pg.26) as it had no license plate nor did the original owners want it back. They used the vehicle for drug interdiction (pg.27) that was occurring in the national recreation area. The vehicle did belong to Chris, he had abandoned it after the engine was damaged from the flash flood he got caught in and he decided to continue his odyssey (pg.31) on foot to avoid any trouble with the rangers. McCandless travels from California, is caught and sent to the border (US and Mexico), goes to Los Angeles, and ends up on the streets of Las Vegas after retrieving his buried (pg.37) belongings in Detrital Walsh, all while his family tries to investigate where he is after being billed a ticket from a California rental.

Analysis: In this chapter, I feel like Chris kept testing himself to see if he could survive with less and fewer resources. Abandoning his car and traveling by foot and traveling by canoe and only eating rice and fish he caught, just showcases his self-reliance and skills. The Datsun car went from having an owner who breaks the law to owners who are the law.

#independent #payattention2thesigns #survivalmode

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Carthage is a small town (pg.16) in South Dakota where Krakauer interviewed Westerberg about Chris but to him, they knew him as Alex. Westerberg had given McCandless a ride as he picked Chris up as a hitchhiker, everything ended up leading to Chris staying with Westerberg for three days at his trailer (pg.17) as it was raining. Westerberg offered Chris a job (pg.17) if he ever came back to Carthage which he did after a few weeks. Over time, Chris became enamored (pg.18) with the town and the town became attached to Chris. Chris kept in touch with Westerberg, they had to depart because Westerberg had to serve some time, but Chris became a master of his own destiny (pg.23) as he was now Alexander Supertramp.

Analysis: Before reading this chapter, I used to think nothing pleased nor made Chris happy. After reading this chapter, you really get an inside look at who he is as a person, he surrounded himself with people who supported and understood him which brought out this connection to the small town. Him responding to Alex and not Chris, I feel like Chris was his old self, the one who felt trapped and not respected, and Alex is the person who is free, not tied down by anything, and is living life as it is.

#carthageconnections #support #respectisearned

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A construction project was initiated on the Stampeded Trail where the construction workers used the school bus as a house (pg.10).  The bus (pg.10) was then used by hunters (pg.11) and campers as the vehicle was abandoned after the project was no longer in session after the lack of funds. Different hikers and hunters had discovered the bus but up until a group of hunters find a note (pg.12) with SOS written on it. The inside of the bus smelled terrible, they found supplies including clothes and a rifle, and in the bunk Chris's dead (pg.13) body.

Analysis: If I were the hunters, I would absolutely not go into the bus especially knowing the terrible smell that was emerging from the inside. Props to the hunters who did as they were able to discover Chris's body adding to his story. I find it very saddening to think what Chris's last thoughts were knowing the likeliness of someone to find him was slim.

#aloneatlast #home4everyone #stranded

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Jim Gallien picks up a hitchhiker (pg.3) Alex, from outside of Fairbanks in the snowy roads. Jim worries for Alex as he notices he is carrying minimal gear (pg.5), Alex isn't prepared for whatever trip he plans on doing. Jim also notices that Alex has a rifle but Alex doesn't care about the government rules as he also states he doesn't have a hunting license. Jim tried scaring Alex with bear (pg.5) stories to prove to Alex that he isn't prepared at all, but it didn't work. Jim gave him his phone number (pg.7) to contact him after his trip to return the boots. Jim was going to go to the authorities (pg.7) and inform them about Alex but figured he would quit the trip once it got hard.

My analysis: I believe it was very risky for Chris to start his trip without being prepared. I also think it was a bit rude how Alex was responding to Jim, Jim was only worried for his safety. I also understand if Chris didn't want to give out any information about his trip as he feels no one else will understand his goal and dream, only he will. It makes me think Chris is more on the reserved side, he doesn't like to share anything about himself because he may be scared of being judged, it just proves as to why he gave Jim a fake name.

#unprepared #YOLO #thumbsup