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Summary: When I was a kid I remember not being able to handle heights. When my dad would try and teach me how to lay tiles on my cousins roof, I would not be able to get on the ladder without shaking. My other cousins easily did it and went past me easily. I hated this feeling because even if I fell, I would've just gotten a bump, but my body would not allow me to do it. It is probably one of my biggest fears, ahead of spiders and even the dark.
Analysis: I wish I could have built up the courage when I was younger but recently, I have taken steps to overcome my fear. I went to the grand canyon this past summer and we were literally walking over the edge to our death. The posted signs said we were something like 4,000 feet high. But the best thing I experienced there was a skywalk. It was a large walking area that was made almost entirely of glass, so if you looked down, it was about 4000 feet to the bottom. I think after this, I will be able to easily climb any measly 15 foot high roof :D.
#SuperHigh#InTheClouds#BuiltDifferent

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Summary: So after finishing the story, saying that Beta-ODAP was the official killer, Krakeur changes his mind. We get introduced to a new amino acid found in the seeds, called L-Canavanine. It essentially paralizes people who take it, and according to Krakeur, over 100,000 have been permanently paralyzed by the amino acid. It is a very convincing addition to the effects that it had on Chris. He ends the afterword by exclaiming, "If he hadn't been weakened by these seeds, I'm confident he would have survived."
Analysis: I think Krakeur is reaching at this point. He is very hellbent on putting the blame on the seeds but a number of things could have killed Chris. Poisioning of many things in the wilderness could have killed him, simply starvation, and other things we isn't thinking about. Maybe finding closure for Krakeur was important but I do not think there will ever be a concrete answer for the death of Chris. We can only hope he found what he was looking for out in Alaska.
#SoSad#RIP#PotSeeds

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Summary: This chapter follows Chris's family and their experience of visiting Bus 142. Billie, Chris's mom, says "Chis must have loved(202) it here." To which Walt, Chris's dad, also agrees. They even recongized a spoon from their Anandale(202) house. Billie says she can even smell Chris's scent in the ragged pants(202) he wore. They know he loved it here and was at peace for his last 6 weeks in the wild. They are grateful(203) for this last connection they made with Chris.
Analysis: I really liked this short epilogue. Chris's family finally found closure and were able to get even closer to their son. I can't imagine the pain they went through in this last experience with their son, but I hope they have found peace. But most importantly, I hope Chris found what he was looking for.
#TheEnd#RIP#Chris

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Summary: After realizing the Teklanika was impossible to cross in his condition, Chris again returned back to the bus. He was forced to continue gathering food, but continue to suffer from a caloric deficit(188). Many believed he was sick due to eating the poisonous wil sweet pea. But as Krakeur found, it could have been a normal potato seed that had molded after some time. He became very ill and incapacitated(192), and did not report to his journal as usual. McCandless would leave a heartfelt letter, describing how he he had a good life(199), which is a sad thing to read.
Analysis: I was really saddened by this chapter. It is hard to believe that Chris could have avoided this easily by knowing correct SOS signs, lighting a fire, or even just having a map. But I hope he found what he was looking for out in Alaska. I know many people take see Chris as a horrible selfish guy, but I think he was just trying to escape from his situation, so who can blame him.
#SoSad#Alex#RIP

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Summary: Krakeur and his friend visit the Teklanika river that Chris couldn;'t cross. With the map(173) he brought along, he was able to find an aluminum basket that would safely take him across the bridge. They eventually made there way to the bus that McCandless stayed at, where they found lots of bones of animals that he had killed as well. The locals even said one of the animals Chris had killed was not even a moose, but a caribou, and they thought he was stupid(177). We are told about an adventur called Franklin, that faked his exploration and discoveries, and also died to Alaska. Both of them were overconfident about their abilities but McCandless almost(183) pulled it off.
Analysis: So the story really ends here with McCandless not escaping the wild. It sucks he was not able to survive but I think his story has affected millions in a positive way, something I think he would be proud of. I still think he is not crazy like many people think, just thought about the world differently which some may disagree with, but not me.
#ItsOver#RIP#McCandless

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Summary: Chris arrives in Liard river and finds a rider with Gaylord Stuckey, weird name. Stuckey was a good guy who tried convincing Chris to phone his parents about his whereabouts, to which Chris said he might. Chris crossed the Teklanika river and soon found his camp at the famous bus, where'd he stay for the next 6 weeks. He had difficulty finding food as he said it was "snowed in" and "Disaster"(164). But eventually Chris got his footing and began killing small prey. He eventually killed his biggest prey, a moose(166). Soon, Chris tried to leave, but the Teklanika was overflowing so he had to sit it out. He described feeling lonely and afraid(170).
Analysis: This chapter makes me very sad. He was so close to escaping and getting out, but due to his unpreparedness, he was stuck. It really bugs me that he could have escaped if he just took a map, a small foldable piece of paper, that could have helped him find help and necessities. But, that was his fate.
#SoSad#Fate#NoMap
#Stuck#GPS#IfOnly

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Summary: Jon is forced to spending atleast 3 days in his tent due to harsh weather. He gets so bored that he decides to light a blunt, and ends up burning a large portion of his tent(147). Amidst this, he begins to think about his father and the history they shared. He describes him as loving(147), but too competitive in nature. He is also pressured to become a doctor, which is something he doesn't like. So, he decides to again begin his climb to the top of devils thumb. Jon ends up successfully making to the top, but on the north side which is an easier ascent. Jon tells us how he is missing Chris's intelligence but they bare resemblance in the relationship(155), which is why Chris also needed to escape his world.
Analysis: I don't like the last line. How could anyone think Chris's intention was to go out there? Hopefully readers understand and gain something from Krakeurs experience and knowledge of going out on a wild adventure. I think Chris would also come to realize that his adventure had very little meaning in his life like Krakeur.
#IfOnly#ReachedTheTop#WeDidIt

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This chapter follows Krakeur and his attempt to climb devils thumbs. Soon, Krakeur became obsessed(134) with deafeating this huge mountain. The climb was dangerous due to all the elements involved. While climbing, he does not see any plane delivering his food, but eventually it comes, and he continues to climb. Unforunately, his axe only struck rock(143), so he made his way back down. As he head down, he looked for any way that he could continue his ascent, but he accepted that his climb was over(144).
Analysis: I really like this chapter because he is showing us the true meaning of experiencing the wilderness. It helps us better understand why Chris was doing what he was doing. And although I respect his adventure, I don't think I would ever find the heart to make the climb.
#DevilsClimb#Scary#Risky

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Summary: This chapter focuses on the relationship between Chris and his younger sister, Carine. Carine was very attached and she recalls crying(129) almost everyday that Chris was gone. After 2 years, Carines husband, Fish, notified her that Chris had been found dead(129). And she began to scream(130) and cried for hours. At the end, the whole family is saddened and confused why he would take such drastic measures out in the wild.
Analysis: This is a very sad chapter. We are given a lot of insight into a very deep relationship between two siblings. Carine, even after Chris disappeared, worried daily about how her brother was doing. If one of my siblings just randomly disappeared and could not be found, I would not know how to live without them. And finding out about their death is something unimaginable to me.
#Sad#BigBrother#RIP

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Summary: We are shown a lot about Chris and his family. A lot about his father is revealed in this chapter. He is very respected and is described as containing characteristics of a big boss. But this soon changed after Chris's disappearance(105). Chris's family also suffered financially, his parents worked long hours and missed a lot of time with their children. Which is how Carine and Chris became so close and counted on eachother(107). Chris was also a very hardworker. He manages to earn a pretty good sum and pay for his own car. Eventually he starts his own copy business and earns the interest of a contractor that offers him good benefits, but Chris was already set on going on an adventure.(116)
Analysis: I like this chapter because we get a bigger sense of what Chris went through and how he overcame a lot of it. I think if Chris's family paid a little more attention to their kids, Chris wouldn't feel the need to go out and explore the wilderness. So the term money doesn't buy happiness is very obvious in this chapter, which makes me very sad for Chris.
#RichButSad#BusinessOwner#Walt

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Summary: I was waiting very long for this chapter to come, as it focuses on detectives trying to ID Chris. There is a strong effort to find out who he is, even postings on the New York Times. Luckily, Wayne Westerberg, Chris's old employer, offers up information and provides his social security(101) which ultimately leads to Chris being identified. They manage to contact one of Chris's stepbrothers, Sam, and he positively identifies the man as Chris, noticing the hair and the beard(102) he had grown. He realizes he has to deliver the news of Chris to his parents and asks himself how he was supposed to tell them Chris was dead(102).
Analysis: This situation is pretty interesting. At first it was hard for me to understand how they could ID someone so far away given the technology they had. But after seeing how information was transferred back then, it was cool seeing the process unfold. I wouldn't ever want to be in Sam's position knowing I had to deliver should horrible news to Chris's family.
#SocialSecurityCheck#SoSad#Sam

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Summary: We are introduced to a new character in this chapter. Everett Ruess, is an adventurer, just like Chris. The story describes him as almost identical to McCandless. After finishing highschool, he was already on the road seeing where life would take him. He would go hungry(90) for days at a time, like McCandless. He also sent letters(91), but unlike McCandless, he addressed them to his family. After tracking the mail, his family set out to find him but could only find remnants of his belongings, including journals(94). To this day, it is not known what happened to the curious adventurer, only theories about his disappearance.
Analysis: I really like this chapter. I think it was intended to help us understand how other people thought like Chris. Eager to get out of the society we have created. And before this chapter, I thought Chris was crazy for doing what he did but I can see where he is coming from now. Still, I don't think I have the guts or necessity to attempt something like them.
#Twins#Disappeared#WhatHappened

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Summary: This chapter starts off with critics bashing Chris for being selfish and causing pain(71) with his adventures. But he is compared to some other adventurers as well. One being McCunn(80), who also died out in the wilderness. After all his supplies were exhausted and he was in danger, Chris noticed a plane flying around him. He did manage to get the attention of the plane but signed incorrectly, raising only one hand when the SOS(83) signal is raising 2.

Analysis: This chapter is very said. Many people disliked Chris and called him selfish for the way he just went out and left his family. It is also sad in that he could have been rescued one day. He even packed up all his things when after the plane flew by not knowing no one was coming for him. We can only hope Chris died at peace.
#SOS#2HandsUp#Alone

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Summary: During his time in Carthage, he was working a very unpleasant job with long hour shifts. But we learn more about who Chris is in this chapter, including how dumb and ignorant he is in the smallest things, like microwaving(63) food. We also learn how he chose to stay abstinent(65), afraid of attachment. After all of this, Chris makes it to Alaska and sends a post card to Westerberg(65), with a huge polar bear on it.

Analysis: I like this chapter because it helps us understand who Chris was. He was a man who did not want attachment. He stayed abstinent for that reason and did not have a girlfriend throughout his highschool or college years. We also learned how intelligent he really was, but also was very dumb in small things. He reminds me of my dad :D
#WeMadeIt#Alaskan#FairbanksYo

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Summary: This chapter revolves mostly around a relationship between Ron(55), an 80 year old man, and Chris. Ron grows very fond of Chris, and takes him in like a son. They live together in Ron's apartment until Spring(55) comes around. Soon Chris goes on to continue his journey and leaves a note for Ron. He tells him how he should pursue his own journey and look at the world while he still can. Ron later learns Chris has died(60) and feels like dying himself.

Analysis: I felt very sad for Ron. He lost his family in a terrible accident and now Chris has died. I think he has been through a lot and Chris was still cold to him. But I would still like to know if Ron took Chris's advice and went on a journey himself.
#crying#pain#KeepGoing

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Summary: Most of this chapter takes place in bullhead city. He stayed here for over 2 months, working at a McDonalds(40). He even used his real name and social, but his families private investigators didn't catch this slip. A man named Charlie was kind enough to let him live in a trailer he was watching, so this is where he lived during his time here. After this, Chris traveled with Burres, a friend who grew fond of Chris. They mostly spend their time at Niland Slabs(44), where Chris continued to prepare for Alaska. Soon after, he announced he needed to get going, and Burres gave him a ride to Salton City(46) where his journey would continue.

Analysis: I think the story would've been better without the chapter. Although it is a big part of his time on this journey, it doesn't add much to the story. I think the people he met did give us a small insight on who he was and how he acted, which did help us understand Chris a bit more.
#MickeyDs#Bullhead#AdventureTime

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Summary: This chapter focuses on a a specific route that Chris took in Arizona. The chapter starts off with government officials finding his old Datsun(27). They describe it as being extremely reliable, and they were unable to trace it back to being his. But to Chris this was a good thing, he could really experience traveling on foot. Unfortunately he was cited for hitchhiking(31), and the ticket ended up at his home residence, where his parents were already on edge . The story ends with him traveling to Vegas, 25(37) pounds lighter.

Analysis: This part of Chris's travels are very sad. He lost his car which was a vital part of being able to survive out in the wilderness. Because of all the walking he did, he lost a great amount of weight. And with no money, he had to scavenge for his food. His situation was critical, but he kept on going.
#warrior #weightlossplan #broke

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Summary: The chapter begins at the start of hunting(11) season.  More moose are showing up and this entices lots of hunters to come out. They found there way to the bus that Chris was staying in, and could smell a very bad scent coming from the bus as well as an SOS(13) note attached to the bus. One man mustered the guts to peek in the bus and could see a head that was obviously a dead mans. The authorities soon got involved and determined he only weighed 67lbs(14) at the time of his death, something unimaginable for a grown man.

Analysis: This is a very sad and rampantly growing story. We went from Chris getting a ride to him being found dead. And combined with his poor diet and his unpreparedness, I think it was inevitable for this to happen. But we can only hope he went in peace knowing he made it all the way to Alaska.

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Chris McCandless story begins really early in the book. He is picked up by a random stranger and given a ride to anchorage(4). While here, the stranger notices how unprepared Chris is for this trip, lacking food(4) and other important gear. This man is Gallien and he grows fond of Chris. Before letting him go, Chris gave him his watch(7) as well as money he had on him. To this, Gallien gave him a nice set of books and a phone number to call him when Chris made it out of the woods.

I believe this chapter foreshadows a tough road ahead for Chris. Gallien knows how harsh Alaska is while Chris has not experienced it firsthand. But Chris still is insistent on goin, and given how unprepared he is, it does not seem good for him. So I believe his journey will be tough.
#Roadtrip#Hitchiking#crazy

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Summary: I visited the grand canyon when COVID lockdowns went away. It was pretty crazy being there in real life, since the pictures don't do it justice. I was scared being close to any cliffs and was constantly shaking. I also went on the glass bridge which suspends you over the massive grand canyon. I could barely move when I was up there. Overall I really liked it and I'm happy I mustered up the courage to visit.