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McCandless at first seemed annoying. I didn't understand why the book was praising some random man who decided to explore Alaska and died. He often talked about how society was messed up and that any type of authority should be gone. After a while of reading, I don't think I care at all for McCandless. While his death was sad, to me it was just another sob story in books or shows.

What makes McCandless different from a lot of us is that he is able to throw everything he had away. He's not pretentious and dumb for leaving his abusive family (aside from his sister), but it's hard to relate to someone who came from a wealthy, influential background, is smart, talented, and well-liked. A lot of us don't have most, or if any, of that. While his story spreads a message of do what you love, chase your dreams, follow your passions, many people are unable to do that. If my mom stumbled upon this book and read every page (ignoring the language barrier), she still wouldn't be able to achieve what McCandless could. He is well educated and attended prestigious schools. My mom has never gotten a high school education. She wouldn't be able to survive a day out in the wilderness. I'm sure she would love to throw away all her responsibilities and live her life the way she pleased, however she can't even afford that time. Us students are the same. Even if in toxic families, we can't just leave, much less donate all of our money away.

I didn't have any attachment to McCandless, nor could I form one anyways. It was hard to understand why McCandless did what he did, and the most I felt was sympathy or pity for him. In the end, this book was just another book. If it was all fictional, then it would make for a somewhat interesting story, however, it's all real. The book makes me feel like we could achieve what he did, and maybe we can, it's just highly unlikely.

#In2theWild #PopOffBestie #CoolBook!

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My great dream or goal, is to become comfortable in my body or finally express myself in a way that would make me happy. I've always had a small interest in expression through fashion, makeup, etc. However, my family can't afford a lot of quality clothes, and as a child, I often wore hand me downs or thrifted clothing. Now that I'm working, I am able to buy whatever I would like, but that comes with a catch as well. My mom always wanted me to dress in a certain way, especially in styles I wasn't comfortable with.

When I can, I want to be able to break away from my family and wear clothes I like. I want to feel comfortable enough to express myself without disapproval from my parents or others around me. Sometimes it feels like a cycle, I don't feel comfortable in my body so I don't want to wear the clothes I like, but because I can't wear the clothes I like, I don't feel comfortable with myself. It sucks a lot, so I hope I can find a space where I am away from my parents and am given a chance to relax and be myself.

#LetMeOut #ClothesBrrr #Expression

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Summary: The book we are currently reading is the updated edition of the book written in 2007, fixing the cause of his death to be a mold (pg.205) growing on the seeds. Another author, by the name of Hamilton, agrees with Krakauer that the death was due to the seed, based on his knowledge about concentration camps (pg.206) in Germany. Krakauer goes on a journey to analyze the seeds (pg.209) again, doing tests ran in biolabs. They find out that L-canavanine is present in the seeds. It is an antimetabolite (pg.210), used to ward off predators and has been recorded within animals.

Analysis: It's interesting to see Krakauer look so deeply into some seeds. While us students may find him extremely weird for worrying so much about a seed, I can understand that it gives us a higher understanding of McCandless's death, while also spreading awareness about the plants.

#seeds #MansDidAWholeLab #ForABook

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Summary: This chapter focuses on Walt and Billie as they visit the bus (p.201) Chris stayed in and died. Originally, Billie wanted to travel overland (p.201) in order to follow the path Chris had to take, but the parents ended up using a helicopter. Upon arriving, the parents get mixed feelings, with Walt saying that he had lots of reasons for hating Alaska, but that it had a "certain beauty (p.202) to it." They build a memorial for Chris, placing various plants around it, and adding a bible (p.202). After, the helicopter picks them up to them back home.

Analysis: I can feel Billie's compassion, warmth, love, and care for Chris in this chapter. Instead of cursing the very place Chris died when visiting it, she instead decides to cherish and appreciate the area he built for himself, while also being in awe of the nature around it. Despite a painful loss, both parents can appreciate the moments Chris spent out here and realize why he came here.

#TheEnd #Bus142FTW #HomeToPinesAndPain

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Summary: McCandless arrives back at the bus, however Alaska was at the height of animal life and plants (p.188). Despite this, McCandless was still not gaining enough calories, and had a big deficit (p.188). On July 30th, we get McCandless's first ominous entry (p.189): "EXTREMELY WEAK... STARVING. GREAT JEOPARDY." After this entry, his healthy quickly depleted, causing him to die (p.190) 20 days later. His death is linked to poisoning (p.191),  specifically from molds growing on the wild potatoes which he collected and kept. In other circumstances, Chris could've avoided this poisoning, however due to his lean (p.195) nature, his body wasn't healthy enough to fight back against this. This resulted in a poisoning which impacted Chris a lot more than it would originally. Later, Chris dies peacefully in the sleeping bag his mother sewed for him.

Analysis: That was a really sad chapter. I'm not sure what else to say, but I felt a bit nervous reading it, as if I shouldn't be barging into all these little details about him. The chapter however, was interesting, more so than the other chapters. What really got me was the last sentence, where he laid in bed as peaceful as a monk. Knowing that he headed off to bed and drifted off to his death isn't a good thought and creates a disturbing imagery. I hope that he enjoyed his time out in the wild and that he could achieve what it is that he wanted to achieve.

#SleepPeacefully #RIP #HopeItWasFun

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Summary: Krakauer follows McCandless's path onto the Stampede Trail, opening the chapter by standing on the very river (p.173), where Chris decided to turn back. The author is tagged along by three other companions, Andrew Liske, Dan Solie, and Roman Dial. We get a deeper look of the river and we learn that Chris could have easily crossed if he had a map (p.174), however Chris had a desire to adventure (P.174), rather than follow one. When the article by Krakauer was originally published, many Alaskans blasted McCandless, calling him pathetic, idiotic, and incompetent, even comparing him to Franklin, an 1800s explorer who, along with 140 others died due to his arrogance. The chapter closes off on a conversation with Roman Dial, where he tells us that the reason we are so hard on McCandless is because he reminds us of ourselves. He is young and eager, just like the older Alaskans were before swept up with responsibilities.

Analysis: The chapter touches a lot on McCandless and his whole venture to Alaska. Many call him incompetent and arrogant, but just like Roman suggested, not even half of them have the courage to do what McCandless did. He survived day after day, doing his best to hunt and survive out in the wilderness. Even if he was ill-prepared, he made sure to gain knowledge beforehand, as we can see when he buys his fauna book. He is doing his best in an environment which he has never experienced before, but got too eager.

#Hypocrites #ItWasAMOOSE #Revisit

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Summary: After leaving Carthage, McCandless is back to hitchhiking (p.158) once again, but fails to haul a taxi. He soon meets a man named Stuckey, and asks for a ride there. Stuckey, like many others, describes McCandless as sharp and clean shaven (p.158-159). Stuckey gets attached to McCandless, but as always McCandless leaves, repeating his past behaviors. Chris first stops to buy a field guide to edible plants (p.160) and then a gun (p.160). After a couple days, he meets Galien, the driver we meet near the beginning of the chapter, and the one who helped in figuring out who McCandless was. After being dropped off at the Stampede Trail, he finds a bus (p.163), and marks this day as "Magic Bus Day." There, he writes his own declaration of independence (p.164). He originally struggles to find food, but is later successful in killing a moose (which is then later wasted). Here, he considers heading back home, but is then met with a river flood. Had he looked more carefully, he could've made it back home, but instead decided to turn around, back into the wild.

Analysis: McCandless probably turned around because he knew he would miss the wild. Despite feeling lonely and scared, there was still a charm to the wild which he didn't want to withdraw from. Knowing what we know about Chris from the book, if he truly wanted to return home, he would've kept going. However, it's easier to look back and continue running away rather than face the family whom he abandoned without notice for such a long time.

#IntoTheWild(Again) #IWannaTryAMoose... #CloseToTheEnd

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Summary: This chapter is a part two of the Stikine Ice Cap, where we continue Krakauer's journey. Krakauer is still stuck on the mountain, and with plenty of misfortune his way. Rattled (p.145) from earlier's adventure, he didn't want to head back up to the thumb, which he planned to head to originally. Krakauer, stuck in his tent (p.147) during a storm, smokes, reads, and stares at the texture of the tent. Reaching his breaking point, he smokes a joint of marijuana (p.146) resulting in a fire, burning down his tent as well. Krakauer talks about his father who, like Walt, also has a violent (p.147) temper. He recalls his childhood, which was filled with everything needed to be successful in medical school for his future. This soon led to an estranged relationship with his father, barely speaking (p.148) at all. At the end of the chapter, we learn that Krakauer's fate could've been similar to that of McCandless and it was only a matter of chance.

Analysis: Krakauer talking about his personal life and his relationship helps us explore a different perspective as to why Chris left everything behind, since Krakauer has had similar experiences to Chris as well. Hearing about how his father had tried to mold him from even before he was born was saddening, and Krakauer never had a choice to pave his own path to begin with. This resulted in him taking to the slopes, where he can be free of expectations, rules, and norms, and just climb. Knowing that McCandless could have also survived by "chance," makes his death all the more sad.

#SmokingPotOnAThumb #MyTent!! #OurFathersSuck

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Summary: We are introduced to different theories this chapter, one being that Chris's intention by entering Alaska was to die from suicide (p.134). The author, Krakauer, introduces himself in this chapter and why he believes Chris didn't intend to take his life. As an avid climber himself, Krakauer creates a plan (p.135) to climb the Devil's thumb, quitting his job and leaving (p.136) many things behind for his journey. Krakauer is aware of the dangers (p.138), and even bought rods in order to ensure he doesn't fall into the many crevasses covered by the snow. After some weeks of staying atop the Stikine Ice Caps, Krakauer is flooded with doubts, feeling alone (p.141), and abandoned. He quickly forfeits his trip to the top of the thumb, heading home.

Analysis: This chapter shows us more inisight on Chris's journey into the wild and that he didn't leave just to end his life. I agree as well, as one of the passages mentioned Chris writing down "Need for Purpose." He probably ventured out to find something that he can't normally find in day to day life. However, the chapter personally does not correlate as much to Chris as I thought. Krakauer gave up on his climb as he grew increasingly anxious, while Chris seemed like someone who would just keep going, knowing that he had nowhere else to turn to.

#WhyDoAllCrazyPeopleClimb #AreTheSlopesACurse? #WeirdoWilderness

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Summary: This chapter focuses on Carine's grief to her brother's death, and their relationship. The author describes Carine as sharing many similarities (p.129) but also differences (p.129). They are both energetic and confident, however unlike Chris, Carine had repaired her relationship her parents, especially after Chris had left. The one thing that drove their family apart was how their parents worked (p.129) all the time, yet Carine also becomes a hard worker, aiming to make lots of money. We know that Chris and Carine had an extremely close relationship, with Chris sending a letter to Carine calling her the only person in the world (p.129) he could talk to. Due to this, upon hearing the news of her brother's death, Carine ends up breaking down for 5 hours, before flying to visit her family and, after, collecting the ashes of Chris.

Analysis: Despite his parent's behavior, it's good to know that Carine had his back and that he could trust and rely on her. It's sweet to see that Carine and Chris had such a close and sweet relationship, it pains me to read about her finding out the news of her brother.

#It'sOkayCarine #Besties4Lyfers #BuckIncluded

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Summary: Chapter 12 goes deeper into the relationship between Chris and his family, specifically with Walt.  The chapter opens up to Chris gifting his dad a telescope, and everyone getting emotional (p.118). After this party, he leaves for his trip (p.118), exploring the world a bit. From his trip, the book tells us about his overconfident (p.118) nature, and how stubborn he can be. Unlike his character which we've seen so far, Chris goes to school, dresses himself up, and works toward law school. After, Chris makes a trip to Annandale, which is where everything takes a turn. Unbeknownst to both families, Walt did not completely split ways from his first wife, in fact continuing his relationship (p.121), without letting both parties know. Marcia did not know about Billie, and Billie didn't know about Marcia. Eventually the divorce got finalized, but Chris soon after leaves, never to come back.

Analysis: Walt is a horrible person. Not only does he have a temper and abuses his family, but he dates Billie behind Marcia's back. Neither family knew what was going on, and if Chris hadn't found out, would Walt ever tell the family? He probably intended to keep it a secret for as long as he could, so I understand why Chris would be so upset. The novel also sets up Chris's character as if he should've confronted his father about it, but instead ran away, when it's not his responsibility to in the first place. I was skeptical as to why the family seemed so happy in the beginning of the chapter, but I can understand where it lead to and it's really sad to see the siblings living under such a crappy father, no matter how successful.

#TruthBehold #NotYourFault #ToTheStakeWaltGoes

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Summary: In chapter 11, we learn more about Chris's family, and why he ran away. Chris is the son of Walter and Billie, who live in a wealthy home and own lots of cars (p.104). He has a little sister named Carine, whom he is really close with. For a couple of days now, the family has been documenting and looking back again at Chris's life (p.104). As someone who works apart of NASA and is of high position, Walter likes to take control (p.105), and has a violent temper (p.105). His marriage ends up dispersing and he dates his secretary, Billie, his now wife and the mom of Chris and Carine. When born, Chris grew with many gifts and talents (p.106). Despite being able to naturally pick up hobbies, Chris had a hard time improving his skills due to rules (p.110) which he disliked. This lead to him finding a passion for running, which has no clear objectives in the way.

Analysis: This chapter gives us more of an insight into Chris's estranged family, whom we've heard a lot about throughout the chapters. Hearing that Walter had a strong temper makes me think that a lot of moments in the household were frequented with yelling and violent tempers. This can also be seen in the arguments that Billie and Walt often have. The family does not seem like a peaceful one and despite being influential and wealthy, they are a broken family. I understand why Chris would want to run away from that environment, but it's sad to see him leave Carine behind as well, knowing how she might suffer without him and within that family.

#YouStillNeedTherapy #IWouldn'tWantToBeThereEither #CarineRunToo

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Summary: Chapter 10 delves deep into the death of McCandless, and he makes headlines all over the news (p.99). McCandless was carrying his diary (p.99), as well as his roll of film (p.99). Two people, Wayne and Gallien, call in, knowing that the person all over the news currently is McCandless which they all came into contact with. It was a coincidence (p.100) that two people who knew McCandless both called in on the same day, allowing the investigation to go smoother than expected.

Analysis: I find it ironic that McCandless hates the media, the public, and the government, but he has made it into several articles and radio stations while being investigated by the government workers. I assume that he might have wanted to die a peaceful death without being so publicly broadcasted, just like Everett. It's a bit sad that his death has been turned into conspiracies and just talk. I'm also curious as to how his family will react, knowing that Chris has an estranged relationship with them

#He'sBeenFound #BadNews #ThisWontTurnOutWell

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Summary: In chapter 9, we learn more about another person similar to McCandless. Everett Ruess was raised into an ambitious (p.89) and successful family, with his mom being an author while his dad was a bureaucrat. Like McCandless, Everett attended school only to drop out (p.90) and explore the world. During his many trips, he would often write letters, talking about all the places he has visited. The more he explored, the more he grew to love the wilderness (p.91), even wishing to die there. Everett also criticizes the way people normally live, stating that he's unsatisfied (p.91) and wishes to enjoy himself in a more intense and real fashion. Even in times of misfortune and possible death, he still doesn't wish to stray away from the wild.

Analysis: Despite the book being about McCandless, from this chapter we know that there's at least one other person who feels the same way as McCandless. They both want the freedom that the wilderness gives them, straying away from day to day life in a society where they feel is superficial and underwhelming. They both need more in their lives, either that be a challenge or a change in scenery. Before, we would assume McCandless is an idiot or a psycho, but it's most likely more of a common occurrence than we think.

#MaybeTheWildIsn'tSoBad #BirdsofaFeather #Flock Together

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Summary: The author starts off this chapter with a lot of opprobrium (p.70) against Alex, and his reckless journey to Alaska. Many people believe that McCandless was arrogant (p.71) and condescending due to his relationships and actions throughout the novel, and end up receiving a lot of negative mail (p.71). In this chapter, the Author tells us stories of those who also ventured to Alaska similarly to Alex, and it is clear that many of them are talented individuals (p.75), with issues in regards to their relationships with others.

Analysis: I believe that this chapter touches on reasons why people move to Alaska, this state full of just the wilderness and the freezing cold. The new faces we met in this book all are seemingly talented, such as Waterman, who became a climbing prodigy. However, he builds up a lot of trauma and misfortune, causing him to go senile and on his last climb, dies. This chapter is trying to tell us that, even those who are gifted, intelligent, or popular, can suffer and are not all that amazing as we may paint them to be. They may want to leave behind their life due to how overwhelming it has become, in search for something different; an escape.

#NotHowItSeems #PopularbutInPain #Alaska

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Summary: McCandless goes back to Carthage in order to work (p.62) for Wayne Westerberg, his best friend. Despite many stories telling us that Chris was an incredibly intelligent man, McCandless seems to lack common sense (p.63) due to his intense focus on Alaska (p.62). Out of concern for Alex, Wayne starts going off on him, wondering why he won't reach out to his family (p.64), telling him to go back instead of going to Alaska. We learn more about Alex's relationship with his parents, and that they were constantly oppressive (p.64).

Analysis: From learning more about Alex's family and his relationship with his parents, I believe that Alex should really confide in someone and have a therapy session. Alex pushing people away is unhealthy, and he leads to his own death, by reading books that feed this idea that society is against him and that he needs to break free from that. While I understand why Alex does not want to go back to his family, it is better for him to stay with people who will care and love him rather than run away.

#WorkingForWayne #DadIssues #SoILeaveForAlaska

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Summary: McCandless arrives in San Diego, Anza-Borrego. There, he dwells at a camp that is seen with many other vagabonds, or, those who don't belong within "society" (p.50). There we meet Ron Franz, who slowly gets attached to McCandless, wishing to act like a father figure to him (p.51). However, we know that McCandless has an estranged relationship with his family (p.55), signaling that this won't end well. This chapter mentions a belt that McCandless makes with Ron, carving images of all his adventures on the belt (p.51-52).

Analysis: I don't understand how Ron got so attached to McCandless, to the point of wanting to become like a father to McCandless. It also irks me that McCandless only advice or final words to Ron was to just be free, go out, and leave society. McCandless needs a therapist, not Alaska.

#RonsRightThere #Alaskaonmymind #CheckouttheBelt

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4148_into the wild_anza-borrego desert state park_2

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Summary: Chris manages his way to Arizona, where he stays in Bullhead City for a while. He had stopped writing in his journal (p.38), so there’s not much information about his stay. He works at McDonald’s in order to make some money, which is ironic due to heavily he values freedom (p.40.). We can see this especially when after his work shifts, he immediately takes off his socks (p.40), as if rejecting traditional views and society’s rules. In this chapter we also learn more about how Chris handles situations of confrontation or trouble. We see that he tends to run away (p.41) from his problems, as we can see with his parents, his Datsun, McDonald’s, and Jan. Chris also seems to attract lunatics or chaos (p. 41), as seen with his parents, crazy Ernie, Mexico, and Charlie.

Analysis: I’m surprised to learn that Chris actually stayed in a place he could call “home” for a while, and believed that his whole adventure was just him walking in the wilderness and camping out. However, I don’t understand why Chris is so stubborn as to not accept any money or clothing, especially when going to a place as cold as Alaska. What if those things he rejected could have saved his life?

#Mcdonalds #smellyandhappy #lifeoftheparty

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Summary: In chapter 4, we see how Chris makes his way up to Alaska with just his yellow Datsun (p.26). Near the beginning, we get a geographic background of the desert (p.27) which Chris has to cross. This is is the beginning of all the adversity he faces. However, we can see that Chris cares deeply about his freedom (p.27), and that returning back would prove that he’s coming back to the  lawful society (p. 27) which he wanted to leave so much.

Analysis: How stubborn is Chris that he’s willing to venture across the DESERT just to live out his newfound freedom? What happened with his family and in his old life that he so badly wanted to leave it all behind?

#free #sandinmyshoes #neverswimmingagain

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Summary: In Chapter 3, Alex meets Wayne Westerberg, who takes Alex in, learning more about him, and hires him to work under him (p.16). We learn more about Alex, seeing that he's very intelligent, cultured, and has high standards (p.18). Alex talks about his travel stories, (p.18) as well as a touchy subject: his family, with who he appears to have an estranged relationship with (p.18).

Analysis: It is clear that Wayne and Alex are close friends, as Alex was able to let loose around them and even talk about his family. Wayne mentions a lot that Alex is an intelligent young man, which makes me think, what caused his death? Wouldn't he have been more prepared or ready to go out into the wilderness? Why did he leave behind everything he had for the wild?

#wildfriends #alexissmart?? #campfirestorieswithalex

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Summary: In chapter 2, we understand more about how the days leading up to Alex's deaths are spent, including spending time within a bus (p.10), which was abandoned there after some time. Chapter 2 keyed in several types of transportation (p.11-12), which seems to play an important role in the Alaskan wilderness (p.10). Chapter 2 also goes into detail about the geography (p.10-11) of Denali park and the area Alex is in, mentioning how the icy cold rivers, the game present there, and how dangerous it is to walk/hike around there.

Analysis: I am curious as to what Alex did that caused him to be injured, and whether or not he regretted his trip after his first misfortune. Did Alex ever try to come back home? Or did he brave it out till the day he wrote his SOS notice? Whose attention was Alex trying to grab when he wrote that note?

#uhoh #soundsreallycold #busandberries

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Summary: Into the Wild is a story about a young man who decides to venture into the wild and explore his new life. He carries a backpack of 25-30 pounds (p.4), which is presumably less than one would think would be fit for a long stay in the forests. Alex ventures into an area known as "The Bush," which is located at the edge of Denali Park. Galien, his driver, defines this place as "dangerous" (p.4). We can see that Alex is ill-prepared  (p.5) for his trip. Throughout Chapter 1, his rifle (p.4) is often mentioned and is said to be a small rifle not good for any game (p.4). Despite the bad circumstances, he is excited and looking forward to this new adventure.

Analysis: I wish that Alex had been more prepared if he knew that he was going to stay in the wild for a long time. He sounded too excited and looking forward to something as rough, risky, and perilous as the Alaskan Bush, which was described by his driver, Galien. I think that he's a bit dimwitted for not taking into account how severe this could get.

#thewild #freeatwhatcost #you'regonnadie

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This is a photo of me during sophomore year. Although I've never really been out in the wild like with hikes, camping, etc., I have been to parks and beaches, although this photo was the only one I had of me in it. I was hanging out with my friends, and we were having a picnic. It was a lot of fun catching up with them again and seeing how things have changed, as we all split ways after middle school. We played on the parks slides and hung out at the benches, just enjoying the outdoors and the breezy weather. I've recently gone outside with my sister as well, as we kind of forgotten what it's like to actually be outside and appreciate your surroundings.