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Chris McCandless, barely surviving but smiling!

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Into the Wild was a wild ride from start to finish. I definitely had some moments where I genuinely disliked Chris' character and his actions, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel for him as well. I have to give him some props though, for pursuing such an ambitious odyssey on his own for so long without ever reaching out for help.

Chris did things that I would never fully let myself do, and that is, being able to detach from his life. I hate capitalism as much as he does, not wanting to live my life working to the bone in order to survive in this modern world. I admire him a lot in this aspect. He uprooted his entire life just to go on this journey, letting go of a perfectly good education, a suitable car, more than thousands in savings, and his safety and his health as well! There were certain points in the book where I felt his personality really got to me. When he talked to people he met along the way, like Jim Gallien, Wayne Westerburg, Jan Burres, etc., I felt like I knew him personally! People always mentioned how he was intelligent, charming, well-spoken, and I respect him for still being so convivial even though he was so isolated for years.

While I find his ambition towards leaving society praiseworthy, I still consider that a privilege to be able to do so. Being able to throw away a "perfect" life like this shows that he has privilege as a young, white, able-bodied man. People would give up everything for a life like this but he threw it all away for a different reality that only resulted in his death. But once again, I can sympathize with him to an extent after dealing with his father's detachment in their relationship and his deceit of his second family. Other than that, there were some points on his trip where he was just being stupid. How did he expect to survive in these dangerous conditions with no map, barely any food (practically only rice), clothes that provided no protection whatsoever, and not ask for literally any help? There were people in the book that wanted him to talk to his parents and family again, but he was too stubborn to do so. I can understand him cutting off contact with his parents, but what about his sister Carine who was by his side and closest to him? The pain that his family and friends must have felt would have been unimaginable.

Overall, I'd say Chris McCandless was an inherently good person. His own odyssey was a way to express himself and live his life to the fullest. I can't argue against that. However, his actions had consequences and hurt a lot of people throughout the last years of his life. I also can't argue against that. My opinion of him is rather balanced, I can honestly see both sides. I'd say he accomplished a good but brief life.

#restinpeace #iwonderhowhewouldvefeltabouttheiphoneifhewasstillalive #liveyourownlife

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Me and my sibling at LACMA, maybe one day my art will be in an exhibit here (just wishful thinking). 

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The idea of the "starving artist" intimidates me. It's a term that's been repeated back to me frequently after I tell people that I want to pursue art. The negative implications of being a starving artist strayed me away from art for a long time. Until I realized that success, in the terms of making profit, doesn't matter to me. I can relate to McCandless in a certain aspect: the thought of wealth and having to work to live seems entirely monotonous and lonesome. I crave the simplicity of being able to create art that I can call my own. I value success in a way that I'm able to continue reaching my fullest potential with my art, and that lasting motivation is what I'm working for. I know that I'm only 17 and life still has much to offer, but I'm glad that I already found my passion at a young age. I grew up drawing over anything I could get my hands on, and I just kept going with bigger canvases, new mediums, and abstract ideas. Art is something I find comfort in and I know that it's the one thing that'll stick with me for as long as my time here on Earth.

Just like McCandless and his love for Henry David Thoreau, I found inspiration in Keith Haring. I grew up with his art and his lasting legacy with his expressive style is something I aspire to have in the future. My future odyssey is to have an art gallery of my own one day. I know it's not the most monumental thing to achieve (compared to famous artists of the world), but it's something I've always dreamt about as a child. The fact that I get to share my artworks with people in a space where I cultivated myself incites so much incentive for me to work harder. I'm not entirely sure where my career in art will go, but I know that I just want to be happy with what I create along the way.

#visualarts #onedayinthefuture #iloveartsomuchomg

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A picture taken by McCandless of the bag of potato seeds that he collected. 

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Summary: In 2015, an article published an updated afterword about the mystery behind Chris McCandless' cause of death (¶ 1). Krakauer, using another writer's advice, tested the seeds for a neurotoxin (¶ 6) called beta-ODAP, researching with Jonathan Southard (biochemist at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania). The seeds had a lethal concentration of beta-ODAP but it was actually another amino acid called L-canavanine. According to Krakauer's published results, this amino acid is similar to arginine (essential amino acid), and it tricks (¶ 10) the body into thinking it's healthy, but actually destroys the ability to metabolize (¶ 10) any food. His research confirms this toxin, but the debate continues. It's a mystery (¶ 2) of exactly how many seeds McCandless actually consumed before his death. Krakauer states that he believed if Chris never ate these seeds and got poisoned, he most likely would've survived and continued his journey.

Reflection: I genuinely believe that Chris would've survived if this poisoning never happened as well. Even though he was already weak by his diet, he probably would have found more supplies, food, and stability at some point. Once again, I can't imagine how it would feel to die like this, unknowingly intaking poison in the hopes of trying to stay away from starvation. Hopefully, more research and insight come out about the circumstances around McCandless' death sometime in the future. There are still many questions surrounding his death.

#lcanavaninesucks #researchresearchresearch #deathbyseeds

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Walt and Billie McCandless sitting in Chris' Fairbanks bus 142. 

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Summary: The epilogue acts as closure for McCandless' parents, 10 months after they found out about his death. They decided that it was time (pg. 201) to see Chris' last whereabouts in their own eyes. They took a helicopter ride to the Fairbanks bus 142, along with Krakauer, since the Teklanika River was far too high to safely cross. Upon walking into the bus and seeing all of his possessions and mementos, it was clear that seeing this was painful (pg. 202) for them to take in. Walt places a memorial (pg. 202) plaque inside the door. He finds a sense of solace (pg. 203) within this bus, understanding Chris a little bit more. Billie states that she found comfort in knowing that Chris was here, however the feeling of his loss (pg. 203) would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Reflection: I think this was a good way for Chris' parents to get a sense of closure from visiting his bus, considering the circumstances of his death. It goes to show that grief is an aching, perpetual feeling, especially more so when parents lose their own child. This was a very sobering experience for them. It's sad that Chris' odyssey ended here.

#goodbyebus #memorialplace #ripmccandless

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Summary: McCandless continues his hunting and gathering, but he teeters on a  balanced (pg. 188), dangerous edge. The last book he ever read was Doctor Zhivago, in which he noted in the margins, "happiness only real when shared". It's speculated that perhaps this was his break against his life of solitude, yearning for a sense of intimacy (pg. 189) that he always avoided, but we'd never know. In his journal, he writes that he's weak and on the brink of starvation, mentioning potato seeds. The author theorizes that McCandless accidentally ate toxic (pg. 191) seeds, laced with mold and beginning his swainsonine poisoning, under the advisement of his edible plant guide. Even though he continued to attempt hunting, there was no way he'd be able to get any energy from the game because of the toxins. The author also mentions a sad irony (pg. 196) about Chris' location, how there were 4 cabins near the bus site with food and necessities. Nevertheless, he was too weak to even stand. The feeling of starvation was terribly painful for him, but perhaps his suffering was replaced by "euphoria, a sense of calm accompanied by transcendent (pg. 198) mental clarity" at his last moments. Before he dies, Chris takes a picture of himself, looking emaciated but at peace with his experiences.

Reflection: This makes me really sad that he died alone in such a painful way like this, no one should ever have to deal with the consequences of starvation. I genuinely believe that at the end of his journey, he felt accomplished with his life. It's even more eye-opening that he concluded his journal with such a bright, grateful message, which goes to show his character still sticking with him all this time. I hope he's having a good time in the afterlife.

#goshdarnpotatoseeds #goodbyemccandless #starvation

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The author compares McCandless to the British explorer who went through the Arctic, Sir John Franklin. 

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Summary: To learn more about McCandless' limited experiences in Alaska, Krakauer and his 3 friends trek across the Teklanika River to the bus that he stayed at. Krakauer states that if Chris had a map and known about the landmarks nearby the river (the zipline that goes through it), he would've been able to find salvation (pg. 174). Many people, especially Alaskans, believed that Chris was entirely incompetent (pg. 177) since he couldn't differentiate between a moose and a caribou, however the remains of the moose bones revealed otherwise. Within the bus, McCandless' presence (pg. 179) still lingers throughout the various memorabilia of his possessions, like his inscriptions on the walls and his stuff still waiting for him to come back. The author references British explorer, Sir John Franklin, and how his arrogance (pg. 181) mirrored how others saw Chris' actions and character. The author believes that Chris was fascinated by the passions of his youth (pg. 186) and found harmony in nature by living off the land itself.

Reflection: I think it's rather mean for people to belittle Chris' successes and experiences within the wild. He certainly did what he needed to do in order to survive, and I think people should respect (or at least give him some sympathy) that he spent 2 months alone in the cold like this. However, I do have the same thought process of many others that Chris was ill-prepared. He should've been more prepared with maps or extra supplies/food, but once again he's already set his mind on this path.

#itwasamoose #zipline #soclosetosafety

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The Teklanika River that McCandless couldn't cross through in the summer.

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Summary: The chapter details what Chris experienced during his "great Alaskan odyssey (pg. 157)". On April 15, 1992, McCandless hitchhikes with Gaylord Stuckey to get to Alaska. Stuckey stated that McCandless was candid (pg. 159) about his ambition towards living in the wild and his problems with his family. He warns him, like many others did, about speaking to his family again and the harsh conditions of Alaska. Before heading into the forest, McCandless prepares himself with a wilderness guide and a new rifle. He meets Jim Gallien and heads onto the Stampede Trail. He makes camp after crossing the Teklanika River, and writes his declaration (pg. 163) of independence. He struggles for a bit during the winter, but his hunting and foraging gets better as the summer begins. Being the person he is, McCandless felt remorse (pg. 166) towards the moose he shot that June. He ruminates on his morality (pg. 167) but eventually accepts his errors. Upon trying to return, he realizes that he was unable to cross through the Teklanika River and makes a prudent (pg. 171) choice to head back towards the bus.

Reflection: I feel like Chris' feelings of guilt exemplify his true character. Even though he knows that he needs to hunt to survive, he still can't get over the thought of killing an innocent animal. Not many people would stress over something like this. I don't know how Chris never went crazy by living alone in the wild, I certainly would lose my mind if I had to experience anything like this.

#relentlessmorality #foraging #declarationofindependence

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A visual of Krakauer's route towards the summit of the Devils Thumb. 

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Summary: Krakauer explains the parallels between his father's and McCandless' own father's expectations (pg. 147). His father practically set out his life plan for him at a young age, wanting Krakauer to get into Harvard Medical School and become a doctor. There was always this inner rage (pg. 148) within him growing up, not wanting to fulfill his father's aspirations and going against his every wish. Unfortunately, his father began his addiction towards medication, trying to cope with the pain of his post-polio syndrome. Krakauer's pursuit (pg. 150) towards the Devils Thumb went unnoticed by his father. After 3 strenuous attempts, he was finally able to reach the summit, finding the entire experience a reflection of his mortality (pg.  155). He states that agitation (pg. 155) of the soul and his skewed relationship with his father, set him on similar paths as McCandless.

Reflection: I think it's a very common thing for parents to see their children as an extension of themselves, and it sucks that we (as children) have to become aware of that and break out of this cycle. I can definitely sympathize with the author and McCandless with how their fathers always set precedents for them regarding their futures. Not having a healthy, secure relationship with parents can really mess up how you view life and your life in general.

#baddadsagain #thirdtimesthecharm #existentialcrises

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The Devils Thumb, where Krakauer attempted to climb. 

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Summary: The author theorizes that McCandless' death was merely an accident and offers a personal account from his life. During his youth, Krakauer would pursue interests with an obsession (pg. 134). In 1977, he set his sight towards climbing Devils Thumb, a mountain that would transform (pg. 135) the rest of his life. His thoughts, emotions, and experience were only amplified (pg. 138) due to the weather conditions during his trip. He almost fell to his death in a crevice if it weren't for the poles strapped onto his body. Days after the start of his ambitions, he was getting increasingly anxious (pg. 140) while waiting for supplies to get dropped off by a plane. Krakauer ascends higher and higher after getting more supplies, washed with an overpowering sense of clarity (pg. 143) until he was confronted with no clear path with his pickax. He decides to end his journey here, knowing that there was no way to continue on this path.

Reflection: I think it's interesting that the author was alike with McCandless, like being obsessed with nature (in their own respective ways). I feel like within writing this book about McCandless' life, the author could sympathize with him as well. It shows how people can really get motivated and powered on through nature. However, it's not for me though, I rarely like going outside.

#transcendence #onceagainmenreallylikenature #devilsthumb

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One of the pictures of Chris in Carine's home, with his brooding expression. 

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Summary: Within Carine McCandless' Virginia Beach home, there are two framed pictures of Chris in his childhood. She continues to grieve (pg. 129) after 10 months of her brother's death, unable to get through the day without crying. Although the two of them shared similar sentiments about their parents, Carine made peace (pg. 129) with them after Chris disappeared. She now owns an auto-repair business with her husband, Chris Fish, working the same money-driven lifestyle as her parents did. On September 17, 1992, Carine finds out from her husband that Chris is dead and remained hysterical (pg. 130) for hours on end. Carine and Sam (their half-brother) flew to Fairbanks to get Chris' remains (pg. 131): his ashes and his last material possessions. The family uncovered coping mechanisms within their grief, their sense of loss towards Chris was irreparable (pg. 132).

Reflection: I can't even begin to imagine the thought of finding out my sibling's death after months of their disappearance, let alone deal with the aftermath of their remains. The grieving process must have been terrible for the McCandless family. Even though I've only had a few experiences with grief, I understand that the pain of losing a family member never goes away.

#forgiveness #howdoyouevendealwithgrief #cremation

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Summary: This chapter reveals a secret about the McCandless family, and how it ultimately deteriorated Chris' relationship with his parents. Chris has a very strong character and personality, where he could be generous to those around him but also be full of self-absorption (pg. 120). When Chris graduated high school, he went on a road trip and got to El Segundo, where he was raised during the early years of his life. From there, he pieced together revelations (pg. 121) about his father's double life with his separate family with his ex-wife, who he never fully got divorced from until years later. He was fueled with anger due to his strict moral code (pg. 122) that he placed onto himself and those around him. However, he didn't hold certain people to these same standards, yet he relentlessly fixated (pg. 122) on his father's mistakes. There was so much anguish (pg. 125) in him from then on, which led to him breaking away from his family permanently.

Reflection: I think Chris' attitude and behavior towards his parents is acceptable. Honestly, who wouldn't be mad at their dad if he was morally deceptive and secretly split his attention towards two different families? I also think it's really interesting how Chris' intense personality continues to fuel his mindset towards the wilderness. He's different from most people and it's sad that he eventually died from his overconfidence.

#baddad #californiarevelations #sorrycarine

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Summary: Chris McCandless' dad, Walt, expresses his pain (pg. 104) towards his son's death. He recalls memories from when Chris was younger, how he was always against his parents and their ideas of success towards higher education and wealth. Chris got his intensity (pg. 105) from his dad, a professional business man who's life is driven by working, however his demeanor is different. Chris would constantly test the trajectory (pg. 106) of his life through his relationships, his education, and his perspective of how life should be experienced. There was a lot of tension (pg. 107) within the household, since his parents would argue and work all the time, which made his relationship with his sister, Carine, stronger. People described Chris' personality and actions as a paradox (pg. 115). He was successful in his work within selling construction services, in order to earn money to buy his prized, yellow Datsun. The contractor he worked for even offered to hire him if he'd stay in Annandale, but Chris turns down the offer towards a living to begin his first road trip. Chris' conflicted relationship with wealth only drives him further from his family and past life.

Reflection: I can see that his relationship with his parents were always strained, stemming from his childhood. I can sympathize with him because I also grew up with parents who would only focus on work, it honestly deteriorates the sense of domesticity. Chris has a very strong personality and connects with people, which are strengths that I want to see in my own self. I wonder what his life would've been like if he confined himself into the lifestyle his parents wanted for him. I feel like he'd be miserable.

#ihatecapitalismtoo #trajectory #leavingbehindpeople

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A picture of the New York Times, the dead hiker's identity is revealed. 

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Summary: The New York Times publishes a story about the unknown hiker around 2 months after McCandless' death. The first "lead" came from Jim Gallien. He received a lot of skepticism (pg. 99) from the state trooper until he listed out some of Chris' possessions that weren't publicly known. However, the only true fact that came out of this was McCandless' last name. There were many false (pg. 100) leads once his surname caught wind. However, Wayne Westerburg heard the radio station, called the state troopers about how he had proof that he knew the identity of the hiker, from McCandless' work form that had his social security (pg. 101). There was a permanent residence under his name in northern Virginia, yet they still had to call every number in the directories (pg. 101) under the McCandless name. Sam McCandless, Chris' half-brother who still lived in the area, received a call from the Fairfax County homicide detective asking him to come down to the office. When he got there, Sam was shown a picture of Chris and he had no doubt (pg. 102) that it was him. His identification ended the investigation.

Reflection: Given that it was the 90s, I'd say they did a good job of finding out Chris McCandless' identity. It must have been entirely tedious, nonetheless having random people calling in and stating that they actually knew him. I feel like it would also suck finding out that your son/brother/friend was dead through a highly publicized news article as well. I wonder what introspections and realizations came through when his family finally found out about his death.

#mysterymanidentified #phonebooks #restinpeace

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A portrait of Everett Ruess who disappeared in 1934. 

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Summary: This chapter details the life of Everett Ruess, a young man like McCandless who had a similar impulse (pg. 89) towards going into the wilderness. He inscribed his new name into Davis Gulch (a small watershed), "Nemo 1934" just like McCandless did in his bus, " Alexander Supertramp/May 1992". There were many mysterious parallels (pg. 91) with their respective journeys, like how they went by different names, and wrote letters that exemplified their romantic and reckless (pg. 92) manners. It's widely believed that Ruess' death was due to falling down the region's canyon walls, due to the rather dangerous topography. Others have different perspectives on these circumstances (pg. 94): Ruess is still secretly alive with another identity, cattle rustlers murdered him for his possessions, or drowned while trying to swim through the river. Krakauer refers to the papar, ancient Irish monks that left to seek peace and solitude, believing that "the urgency of their desire (pg. 97)" fueled them just like Ruess and McCandless.

Reflection: Once again, I admire these people and their own accounts in the wilderness. It takes a lot of willpower and detachment in order to survive like this. I wonder if I will ever experience a strong drive to leave my life behind like this. I don't know what I'd do if I became overwhelmed with this way of life.

#impulses #menreallylikenatureforsomereason #irishmonks

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The Outside magazine that published the story of Chris McCandless. 

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Summary: This chapter highlights the different perspectives people of Alaska and elsewhere had about Chris McCandless' death. The circumstances behind his death were perplexing (pg. 70) and reached national fame after the story was published in Outside. However, many people expressed their criticism (pg. 71) towards Chris' actions, believing that he was ignorant, foolish, unprepared, which subjected his family and friends to unnecessary pain. This chapter details different accounts from people who were similar to Chris in the same way, educated men seeking validation (pg. 74) within the wonders that the wilderness had to offer. Gene Rosselini decided to experiment with living like a Neolithic caveman for a decade, although he commits suicide at the failure of his work. John Waterman tries to climb Mt. Mckinley alone during the winter with limited supplies and preparedness, he most likely fell to his death without trying to save himself. Carl McCunn camped in the Alaskan bush for the summer, however, his plane ride never rescues him and he shoots himself to end his misery. There are so many parallels (pg. 80) within these men's lives and eventual deaths, which goes to show how the desire for nature has such a strong drive in certain people. McCandless survived his expedition for two long years. He certainly wasn't incompetent (pg. 85) or else his journey would've ended a lot earlier.

Reflection: I'm still very unsure about how I feel about Chris since there are times that I really sympathize with him, but also times where I just want to tell him to go back home and deal with reality. I think it's really fascinating that there are so many similar stories of people wanting to stray away from modern society and I give them kudos for that. It's hard that we have to participate in such a capitalistic, exploitative society for the majority of our lives, but Chris really had the guts to leave this life and set off on his own.

#much2thinkabout #validationthroughthewild #unfortunate

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Chris' last postcards and communication with the people he met along his journey. 

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Summary: Chris began working at Westerberg's grain elevator at Carthage, staying until he left in April for the start of his trip to Alaska. The people that worked with him noticed that although Chris was intelligent beyond his age, he lacked some common sense (pg. 62) at certain times. At Carthage, Chris formed a close relationship with Gail Borah, Westerberg's longtime girlfriend. He told her things that he would never tell the others, and she noticed that something was gnawing (pg. 63) at his feelings towards his family. It's revealed that there was a polarization (pg. 64) between the nature and principles of Chris and his father, which initiated his drive for independence after college. It's also revealed that Chris never truly delved into interpersonal relationships (pg. 65), ranging from platonic to romantic to sexual. McCandless' yearning (pg. 66) for autonomy within nature led to him completely cutting off contact with Westerberg and others. He promised to come back to Carthage soon, but in the end, he resolved towards "living amongst the wild".

Reflection: I feel like even if Chris did grow up with a better relationship with his parents, he would still go on this journey. Time and time again, he would show his love for nature by living a nomadic, rather isolated life. I doubt that he would let these relationships stop him from leaving no matter what. I admire him for his confidence in his self-determination, I wish I had a lot more guts like Chris.

#avoidantattachmentstylelol #lastgoodbye #freedom

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A film still from the movie adaptation of the book, Ronald Franz and Chris McCandless. 

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Summary: This chapter goes in-depth about the relationship between Chris and an 80-year old man named Ronald Franz that he met in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. When Franz met "Alex", his deep-rooted paternal (pg. 50) instinct came back. They spent a long time together until Chris left to go to San Diego to get more cash for his trip to Alaska, and eventually, Chris asks him for another ride in California. Franz asks Chris if he could adopt (pg. 55) him as his grandson to keep his bloodline going, although Chris avoided the question altogether. McCandless felt comforted by the fact that he stayed distant from his compansions, avoiding human intimacy (pg. 55) as much as possible. Franz did not have the same sentiment, he felt immensely hurt (pg. 57) at Chris' fleeting, last appearance. A long letter from Chris to Franz details his long-standing advice, where he urges the old man to leave the life of conformity (pg. 57) and live a nomadic life like him. He took his advice to heart, he got rid of most of his possessions and began traveling. On his journey, Franz met with two hitchhikers and found out about McCandless' death. The old man felt heartbroken. He denounced God and drank his grief away.

Reflection: I find this chapter to be the most emotional so far. It makes me sad that Chris doesn't accept any emotional vulnerability into his life and keeps people at a distance. It sucks that Chris didn't accept Franz's relationship with him, but I like to think that at least they met and got to know each other in this lifetime.

#alcohol2cope #paternalinstincts #godfailedhim

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4148_into the wild_anza-borrego desert state park_1

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Chris worked at McDonald's for a few months. 

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Summary: In early October, Chris arrives at Bullhead City, Arizona. Chris decided to live a conventional (pg. 39) lifestyle again, at least for the time being. He stopped moving for more than 2 months, since then he got a job at McDonald's and used his actual identity to apply there. This is entirely uncharacteristic (pg. 40) of him, as he's the type of person to detest the capitalistic society and exploitation that we live in. When confronted by his assistant manager and coworkers about his hygiene and appearance, Chris flees since he's been trying to disguise (pg. 41) his identity since he came here. He meets up with Jan Burres at the Slabs in Niland, a place where society is rather hidden and cast aside. He still has the same socializing (pg. 44), intuitive personality, which shows how his livelihood never faltered. Chris flees once more after Burres and her boyfriend confront him about his background. He continues to avoid talking about his life before his grand odyssey.

Reflection: I think Chris only somewhat settled in Bullhead City to find some sense of stability until it gets rocky again. He has a very avoidant personality and detaches from people and places very easily, which I understand since his past experiences probably hardened this mentality. I wonder if he ever felt any sense of worry or guilt about leaving the people he met behind.

#theperilsofcapitalism #complexes #anunconventionalman

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Chris had to abandon his Datsun in Lake Mead. 

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Summary: Chris arrives at Lake Mead National Recreation Area on July 6th. Two days after he sets camp, a flash flood (pg. 28) starts. The Datsun's exterior is seemingly undamaged but the engine got wet, wouldn't start up and Chris accidentally drained all of the battery. With no solution available and not wanting to deal with law enforcement, Chris decided to abandon (pg. 29) his Datsun and resume his journey without any means of transportation. He felt exhilarated (pg. 29) with the thought of leaving behind unnecessary items. He hid his possessions and burnt all his money. His journey continued on and spanned from California to Mexico and to Las Vegas, all of which led to malnutrition (pg. 37) and dire situations that Chris had to face. Throughout his time traveling, he would write journal entries in the third person and detail his "triumphant joy of living (pg. 37) to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found".

Reflection: As his journey goes on, I start to lose hope for him. It seems like he's trying to find comfort in his belief that the world is offering him a chance to fully experience life. When in actuality, he's malnourished, tired, and in need of stability. I wish that he could understand that living this lifestyle isn't good for his mentality and his physical well-being.

#brokeinlasvegas #hungry #joyofliving

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Summary: This chapter explores Chris' close-knit relationships that he found while he went on his journey, along with more background about his family and the start of his adventure. In Carthage, South Dakota, Chris meets Wayne Westerberg and forms a close attachment (pg. 19) to him and the town. Westerberg considers Chris as an intelligent (pg. 18) man, as he would consistently offer his thoughts about the world and the people around him. Chris eventually leaves South Dakota but continues to contact Westerberg from time to time. The chapter also reveals that Chris is from a middle-class suburban family and graduated from Emory University in Atlanta. He told his family that he was going to disappear (pg. 21) for a while, going on a road trip in his beloved secondhand Datsun. The family didn't think much of it until his parents went to find him at his apartment, to which they found out he had left since the end of June, having had no communication from him since he graduated. Chris wanted this trip to be an odyssey (pg. 22), a reflection of his freedom from the ties of the modern world. To complete his severance (pg. 23) from his past life, Chris changes his name to Alexander Supertramp in order to fulfill his new destiny.

Reflection: While I understand the feeling of wanting to leave his hometown and start a whole new life, I feel like this just shows how privileged Chris is. Not many people are able to create a new life and give up material possessions like this. I think it's admirable to be able to set off like this, but I also find it irrational to completely fall off the face of the earth and cut off his relationships. I'm conflicted about how I feel about Chris' actions, but I have a feeling that his disappearance stems from his relationship with his parents.

#attachmentissues #graduation #anewstart

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Chris' handwritten SOS note found near his corpse.

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Summary: The Stampede Trail was the route Chris McCandless went on in Alaska, in which he set base in an abandoned Fairbanks city bus for the latter part of his journey. On September 6, 1992, a group of 6 people unexpectedly found the decomposing corpse of McCandless' body inside the bus. The people that found his body tried to take him out of the bus but decided to leave this up to the state troopers. They found a handwritten (pg. 12) note on the bus' exit, which was an SOS note that explained how Chris was injured and needed someone to save him. These were his final (pg. 13) documented words, found along with his undeveloped film pictures and 113 journal entries about his experiences the last 2 years. His death was an anomaly (pg. 11), as the medical autopsy performed on his body revealed that his weight was at 67 pounds (starvation being the most probable cause of death) and that his body was so badly decomposed that the time of death was impossible (pg. 13) to determine. There was nothing besides Chris' signature that led to his possible identification (pg. 14); the authorities were unaware of every single aspect of him as an individual and the reasoning behind his journey.

Reflection: I feel a lot of sympathy towards Chris and his final breathing moments. It must have been painful to die alone and in pain, nevertheless starving for the past months. I wonder how he felt when he passed away. If he felt relieved that his journey ended suddenly (to end the pain) or if he ever got to accomplish what he wanted? I'm also wondering how his family and friends will take the news.

#restinpeace #lastwords #whatnow

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Chris McCandless sets off into the Alaskan wilderness.

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Summary: The story begins with Jim Gallien, a union electrician, deciding to give "Alex" (Chris McCandless, his real name unknown to him) a ride all the way up to Denali National Park in Alaska in April 28, 1992. Gallien is concerned (pg. 5) at first, as Chris wouldn't give him his last name, his youthful appearance didn't help him, and the fact that all of his possessions didn't seem fit for the wilderness (especially for the upcoming months). Chris was genuinely determined (pg. 6) that he could survive any of the hypothetical situations that Gallien mentioned. Once reaching the destination, Gallien persuaded (pg. 7) Chris into taking his old work boots, his number, and the rest of his lunch. Gallien takes a picture of Chris standing at the trailhead; this picture is one of the last images of Chris before he disappeared (pg. 7) towards his untimely death. The chapter concludes with Gallien decidedly not going to the authorities, as he believed Chris would eventually come to his senses like a normal (pg. 7) person would and go back home.

Reflection: I feel like Chris is a very mysterious person, which is fair because this is only the introduction and nothing of substance has explained his motives. My first impression of him makes me wonder why he's doing this in the first place. I feel like he's going on this journey to prove people wrong, like the sole purpose of this is to show that he's capable of leaving society and fending for himself. He curses the government and explains that he hasn't talked to his family in two years, which backs up my thought process towards his disappearance. I am definitely more curious about his home life and personality after this chapter.

#alaskaiscold #nature #ihopethismanisokaylol

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Me! Looking mysterious and feeling cold at Sunset Beach. 

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Nature is something I haven't explored very much throughout my 17 years of life. I grew up in a busy family so we never really had any time to go hiking, visit national parks, or anything of the sort. It doesn't help either that I'm more of a homebody too.

I wish to travel more once I'm older and more independent. I really want to make up for lost time and experiences! I've been trying to go outside more often now that I have my own car, and I find myself going to the beach a lot (like most Californians). Going out into nature and seeing these landscapes makes me appreciate life a lot more for what it has to offer. Simply sitting on the sand and watching the sunset invites such a warm and tranquil environment. It creates a peaceful ambiance and I can feel all the tension leaving my body when I'm at a place like this. There are many benefits to nature, and I believe that its stress-relieving visuals/atmosphere is the most important aspect.