Map by Brody Sonnenschein

Fairbanks, AK

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-03-06 14:16:35 UTC

McCandless hitchhiked to Fairbanks before making his way to the wilderness. He spent some time there preparing for his journey, buying supplies and a rifle. He was motivated to go here because he wanted to leave society and get into the wild alone. He had no social interactions once in the wild because he was alone.

Stampede Trail, Healy, AK

2024-04-15 13:56:55 UTC

This abandoned bus served as McCandless's shelter during his time in the Alaskan wilderness. It became known as the "Magic Bus" and was where McCandless's life ended. He lived in the bus here because it was easy and free shelter from the dangers of the wild. He did not have any interactions here either because he was alone.

Emory University, Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:01:24 UTC

Chris went to college here, but he simply did not like it. which influenced his decision to abandon his possessions and seek a simpler life. He went to college because that is what society and his family expected of him. He had interactions with people at college but he did not enjoy it.

Carthage, SD

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:02:00 UTC

Chris worked for Westerberg at his grain elevator and stayed with him for a while. Westerberg and his family became a surrogate family for McCandless. He was motivated to be here because he needed a place to live while on his journey. The most of the interactions he had here was with the family he was staying with because it was on a farm.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lakeshore Rd, Boulder City, NV

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:02:38 UTC

McCandless worked at a McDonald's here, saving money for his journey to Alaska. His interactions involved his coworkers and costumers at work. He was motivated to work there because he needed to survive off of a bit of money for a little while.

Colorado River, AZ

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:03:09 UTC

Chris canoed down the river, encountering various challenges and adventures along the way. This was also a preview of what life would be like in the wild and that is why he did it. He did not have much interactions as he was just conoeing.

Slab City, CA

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:03:24 UTC

He lived in this off-the-grid community in the California desert, embracing a minimalist lifestyle. He wanted to live here because it was a preview for how life would be in the wild. He did not have a whole lot of interactions as it was pretty off grid.

Anchorage, AK

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:03:37 UTC

McCandless hitchhiked and then walked into the wilderness of Alaska, where he eventually set up camp near the abandoned bus. He wanted to go into the wild because he did not like the norms and practices of society. He would rather have lived alone with no help from others. He didn’t have any interactions once making it into the wild because he was all on his own.

Teklanika River, Alaska

2024-04-15 14:04:27 UTC

McCandless's journey was cut short when he attempted to cross the Teklanika River, which had swollen due to the spring thaw. He became trapped on the other side, unable to return to the bus or civilization. He went across the river because he wanted to go deeper into the wild. He did not have any social interactions here as he was alone.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

25bmsonnenschein — 2024-04-15 14:06:10 UTC

McCandless adventured into the wilderness of Denali National Park, where he encountered challenges of the Alaskan wilderness. He was trying to escape societal norms and live on his own to see how he would do. He did not talk to anyone in the wild because he was alone.