https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra Made with love by Karen Tran en-us 2021-12-07 21:18:14 UTC 2025-10-16 00:33:35 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f425.png ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1934767554 A few years ago, I got the chance to go to Yosemite National Park with my mom and older brother. During our time there, I saw so many wonderful sights that you surely wouldn't be able to find here. 

As we explored certain parts of the park, we came across huge sequoia trees that have been around for a long time. I also got to see the beautiful waterfalls and landscapes throughout the area. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the trip. I got to be away from the city and witness mother nature at its finest. I would probably go again in the future to see what else this landmark has to offer.]]> 2021-12-08 00:29:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1934767554 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1936768304 Summary: In this chapter, we learn that Chris has set off on his adventure and took on a whole new identity as 24-year old Alex. We find out from Jim Gallien that Alex had packed very light considering the length of his trek. As for navigation, he only brought a state map (pg.5) that he picked up at a gas station. In addition, he hadn't seen his family (pg.6) in over two years. Upon talking to Gallien, Alex appeared very excited (pg.6) to continue his trip, despite being well aware that he hadn't packed nearly enough gear and food for the course of his trip. Seeing this, Gallien offered Alex a pair of sturdy boots (pg.7) to get him through the journey. By the end of the chapter, we seem to get some foreshadowing of a future negative event taking place when Gallien suggested that a normal (pg.7) person would have left the woods when they didn't have anymore resources or gear to use. From what we know so far, Alex is anything but a normal person.

Analysis: We're just starting this story and I can already tell this is going to be a bad idea. I don't understand why Alex could be so confident about continuing his trip without proper gear or food, even when someone who was much more of an expert than him had offered him the things he would need to survive his long journey.

#journey #Alaska #wilderness


]]> 2021-12-08 20:28:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1936768304 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1939761807 Summary: In chapter 2, Alex (Chris) had continued on with his journey and came across an old bus (pg.10). This was where he ended up living until the moment he died. It wasn't until later, more than two weeks to be specific, that he was found dead (pg. 13) by Gordon Samel, a moose hunter. This only happened because Samel had encountered a foul smell (pg. 12), which turned out to be that of a decomposing body. At the site of Alex's death, Samel found a note (pg.12) that was written by Alex not too long before he died, stating that he needed help as was in too weak of a condition to walk back out of the woods. After the police got to the scene, an autopsy was performed on Alex's body to determine the cause of his death. This is when we find out that he had passed away due to starvation (pg.14).

Analysis: After reading this chapter, I've thought about it and wonder why Chris didn't get out of the woods earlier, before he was too weak to do so.

#hungry #bus #shelter

]]> 2021-12-10 05:49:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1939761807 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1941226462 Summary: Throughout this chapter, we find out more about Alex and the life the had lived before he died. We learn from Wayne Westerberg, who took Alex in during his time in Carthage, that Alex had been a great, well-rounded young man. Everyone he met liked him and eventually the whole town got attached (pg.16) to him. This remote area surprisingly became almost like a second home to Alex. Come to find out, he actually worked while he was there as a grain elevator operator, a job (pg.18) offered to him by Westerberg. Wayne described Alex as a very intelligent (pg.18) individual, a little too much for his own good it seemed. He later discovered, from a tax form (pg.18), that Alex's real name was Christopher McCandless. It was then mentioned and presumed that Alex had left home due to his estranged (pg.18) relationship with his family.

Analysis: I found Alex to be a very generous, optimistic, and hard-working individual. My opinion of him has significantly changed since the last chapter. After finding out just how humble he chose to live even having grown up so privileged, I really admire him for that. I'm sure that's not something just anyone can do.

#Southdakota #work #home]]> 2021-12-10 23:59:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1941226462 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1948039272 Summary: In this chapter, we see how Alex overcomes a series of obstacles from where he stopped in California all the way to the US-Mexico border. We also find out that Alex's car had been a rental (pg.27) before he got it and turned into an undercover vehicle for the cops to arrest (pg.27) criminals. It also turns out that Alex had abandoned his beloved car due to a flood (pg.28) that came rushing through the desert where he was staying. Even after almost dying from a heat stroke (pg.29), Alex was still exhilarated (pg.29) to continue on with his trip. Soon after, he was faced with yet another challenge when his unpaid ticket (pg.31) was sent to his parents' home back on the East Coast while he was all the way on the other side of the country. By the end of the chapter, we see how Alex had another near-death experience as he was trying to pass the border with his kayak.

Analysis: I felt quite bad for Alex throughout this chapter as he had to face so many obstacles. He almost died, not once, but twice and somehow managed to overcome it both times, which to me is hard to grasp in itself. I can't imagine what I would do if I had to go through that.

#desert #adversity #car]]> 2021-12-14 21:06:57 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1948039272 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1949895662 Summary: In chapter 5, we continue to pick up more information about Alex and what he did on his trip after almost dying twice in the last chapter. We find out from Alex's former McDonald's co-workers and bosses that while he was reliable (pg.40), he always did everything at his own pace, even during rush hour. Alex eventually quit (pg.40) after he was confronted by his boss. We know that Alex is an individual of true passion (pg.44) and determination. He'll do anything he puts his mind to, which in this case was his trip to Alaska. He wouldn't let anyone or anything get in his way, and once confronted, Alex is ready to drop everything and leave right then and there. Circling back to Alex's ticket being sent to his parents back home, upon finding out, his parents hired a private investigator to track him down and his whereabouts (pg.40). However, not much was found of him. We later come to see that Alex was offered a place to stay by a man named Charlie, specifically a small trailer (pg.41) already filled with the necessities he would need during his time there.

Analysis: I find it interesting that Alex thinks he is now somewhat of an invincible human, being that he came so close to dying yet didn't. Honestly though, if that were me, I would probably feel like that as well.

#Westcoast #McDonald's #invincible  ]]> 2021-12-15 16:33:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1949895662 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1951088816 Summary: In chapter six, we hear about Alex through a man named Ronald Franz. This 81-year old man immediately forms a special connection to Alex upon their first encounter, though we also see how Alex continuously pushes him away. We find out that Alex is this way due to all the emotional baggage (pg.55) he carried just from growing up with his parents, so he developed a habit of keeping others distant enough to avoid that from ever happening again. Knowing that Ron treated Alex like his own grandson, he wanted to keep memories of the young one, and one way he tried was through video recordings on a camera (pg.54) he had. It was also mentioned that Alex had this belt (pg.51) that essentially told of his life from the time he first began his trip to the point of his demise. Towards the end of the chapter, we see the letter Alex wrote to Ron basically giving him advice (pg.58) on how he should approach life and telling Ron that he shouldn't live a life where everything is too secure (pg.57), that he should take more risks.

Analysis: Throughout this chapter, I mainly took pity on Ron, or at least more so than Alex. I was quite frustrated after seeing all the times Alex rejected Ron's offer to help and ultimately take him in as one of his own. I'm just still trying to understand how Alex developed this habit of pushing away others whenever they try to help. I feel like it had to have been something more than just his stubborn personality.

#desert #California #Seattle]]> 2021-12-16 06:24:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1951088816 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1953236132 Summary: In chapter seven, we learn why Alex was the way he was, stubborn. It starts off as Alex had made his way back to Carthage, South Dakota. He came back to work for Wayne Westerberg at the grain elevator again. It was there that people Alex worked with had told of his work habits and what they thought of him. Several had said that while Alex was an incredibly talented and intelligent person, he definitely lacked some common sense (p.62). We then find out about a major point that led Alex to be so stubborn. It was because of his relationship with his father. Walt was a narrow-minded man who wanted to control Chris and his life. There was a sense of polarization (pg.64) between those two. Later on in the chapter, we read about how Alex was always surrounded by girls who took interest in him. However, even with all that, Alex still chose to be celibate (pg.65) and ultimately died that way. Alex was a very bright young man who would constantly be talking about all the different books (pg.67) he's read and recommending them to others. This was especially true when he had gotten to talking with Mary Westerberg, Wayne's mother. The two of them ended up talking for five hours in which Alex talked a whole lot about books. By the very end of the chapter, Alex figured it was time to leave and continue on with his journey. While bidding everyone farewell, Alex was caught crying (pg.68), as if he knew he was never coming back.

Analysis: After reading about Alex's personality in this chapter, I find that he is a very interesting individual. He had so much going for him yet he turned down almost every opportunity he got just to go on his trip to Alaska. I can't quite wrap my head around that, but I do understand that Alex was far different from any average guy his age.

#grainelevator #family #relationships]]> 2021-12-17 07:11:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1953236132 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1953306354 Summary: This chapter starts off with the author, Jon Krakauer writing an article (pg.70) about Chris McCandless and his death. It then circled around the media in Alaska, enraging the locals as it made things seem out of context, as if their land attracted seemingly crazy people like Chris. They went on to say that Chris was no special from any other young energetic (pg.71) guy who also left their whole lives back home to go off on some journey. Many lacked any kind of sympathy (pg.72) for Chris as it seemed to them too much like Krakauer was romanticizing what was essentially a lengthy suicide attempt. Over the course of the chapter, we hear of three other figures who were comparable to Chris. Those including a man named Gene Rosellini, another named John Mallon Waterman, and the last being Carl McCunn. All of whom had somewhat similar backgrounds, were mentally unstable, compulsive (pg.78), and out of touch with reality (pg.81). By the end of each one of their stories, they all died in what seemed like a decently-thought out manner.

Analysis: It was definitely interesting to see that there were other people who were even worse than Chris in terms of having somewhat dysfunctional lives and personalities. Even more interesting that they all came from the same area and all died somewhere in the wild.

#Alaska #coincidence #death]]> 2021-12-17 08:11:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1953306354 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1973705567 Summary: In this chapter, we read of another young man who closely resembled Chris McCandless. A boy named Everett Ruess, close in age to Chris. We hear that he had also gone out in the wilderness (p.87) on a solo trip before he even graduated high school. Throughout the chapter, we see how Everett always acts on impulse (p.89) rather than thought, and we find out that his nomadic nature (p.89) is largely in part due to his mother having instilled that sort of free mentality and lifestyle in him from a young age. Similar to Chris, Everett had also done all this to his father's dismay (p.90), and chose to not pursue a life his father wanted for him as well. We later find out that just like Chris, Everett had also tried to survive only with what he had in his backpack (p.90) and occasionally hitchhiked to get from one city to another.

Analysis: After reading this chapter, I found it very interesting how Everett's situation was so strikingly similar to that of Chris. I honestly still wonder why there would actually be people who'd put themselves through this much unnecessary trouble only to throw away everything they had going for them, being so young.

#similarities #solotrip #spontaneous]]> 2022-01-04 07:52:24 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1973705567 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1975176019 Summary: Chapter ten was the one to finally explain exactly how Chris McCandless was even found in the first place. It shows how from one coincidence to another, police were able to track down information about Chris. The process was essentially a series of coincidences. Starting off with when Jim Gallien, a man who let Chris hitchhike with him in Alaska, saw news of a young man gone missing in the newspaper and started to suspect that it was talking about Chris. Subsequently, a trooper had shown Jim pictures (p.99) of who he was then sure was Chris from Chris' old camera. Following that, the scene goes to Wayne Westerberg back in South Dakota where he is told to turn on the radio (p.100) to listen to what his friend deemed to be a description very much like that of Alex. Westerberg then calls the Alaska State Troopers to tell them he knew the person whose death they were investigating. From telling them Chris' social security number after digging up his files (p.100), Westerberg ultimately helped the police track down Sam McCandless, Chris' older half-brother. Upon finding his number in the phone directories (p.101), the police were only able to get a hold of Sam to tell him of his brother's situation. The chapter ends with Sam being left to tell his father and Billie that their child is dead (p.102).

Analysis: I found this chapter quite interesting in that we finally found out just how Chris, having died all alone somewhere unknown to everyone else, was eventually found. It was even more interesting to see how old-school the process was. Very different from what we typically see nowadays.

#coincidences #phonebook #newspaper]]> 2022-01-04 21:33:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1975176019 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1979174103 Summary: In this chapter, we find out how the tension between Chris McCandless and his parents came about. It was mentioned in a previous chapter that Walt, Chris' father, had always had a very controlling nature as where Chris himself has always been an incredibly independent individual. We now learn that this changed after Chris just suddenly disappeared from their lives. Walt became a more tolerant (p.105) and overall calmer person. We also find out about a guitar (p.106) that Chris' father gave him as a young child, and it was eventually found alongside his dead body. At this point, we can already tell that Chris genuinely liked being alone (p.107) and distancing himself even from loved ones. It was confirmed by his mother, Billie, that he had always been that way ever since he was little. Another very apparent part of Chris' nature was that he never took well to instruction (p.111). The only bad grade he ever got was due to him not wanting to abide to the teacher's instructions to write in a certain format. Growing up with his parents having been workaholics, Chris and Carine were left to tend to each other. This is ultimately what made the two grow extremely close (p.107) when they were younger.

Analysis: In reading this chapter, I was very invested in learning what caused such a strain between Chris and his parents. Come to find out, his parents were workaholics as he and his sister, Carine, were growing up, and therefore never really paid much attention to them. I honestly feel bad for the two for that (Chris and Carine). Also, I found it surprising that both of their parents grew up poor. This whole time, I thought they possessed generational wealth. Although impressive, there's no denying that this was where part of the whole problem started.

#family #conflict #relationship]]> 2022-01-06 17:24:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1979174103 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1980177081 Summary: In this chapter, we see how Chris' family fell apart in the first place. Growing up, Chris had always been very grateful (p.118) towards his parents for having worked so hard to give the kids such a comfortable life. Another thing about Chris is that he's apparently always been overconfident (p.118) in himself due to the fact that he succeeded in nearly everything he ever tried. He viewed life basically like a game (p.121). A game that he happened to be winning. As far as family matters go though, things took a turn for the worse when Chris made a shocking discovery of a huge secret (p.123) his father had been carrying around since he and Carine were younger. One that would be detrimental to the family's foundation. Turns out that his father, even long after he had complete his family with Billie, was living two separate lives. One with his first wife and six kids from that marriage, which was later ended in divorce (p.121), and the other being Chris' family of four. We see that it really did cause Chris to hold a degree of resentment towards not just his father, but also his mother for having gone along with it all that time. It's what ultimately sent him away on his solo trip, cutting off contact with his parents.

Analysis: After reading this chapter, I finally understood how Chris' leaving his family could be justified. I feel really bad for him and his sister that they essentially led a life founded on their father's, and to some degree their mother's, lies. If that were me in their situation, I can't imagine I'd be very happy either.

#childhood #lies #broken]]> 2022-01-07 07:54:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1980177081 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1980999682 Summary: In chapter thirteen, we learn how Chris' family came to know about his death. It's a chapter where we see things from Carine's perspective. Starting off with her talking about how Chris had pretty much been the same person from child to adult. She also stated that Chris loved and grew very attached (p.128) their family dog, Buckley, dearly. Come to find out, Chris had asked his parents if he could take the dog with him on his trip, but they refused. Carine believes that had Chris actually taken Buck with him, then he probably would have been extra cautious as to not put the dog in danger. It was later mentioned that Chris genuinely felt that Carine was the one person he could always share his problems with and would actually understand (p.129) him. While the two siblings shared an undoubtedly loving bond, they definitely had their fair share of differences in how they approached life. It seems that Carine very much saw money and her wealth (p.129) as a good thing. Differences aside though, upon discovering that her brother died, she was in major denial and was hysterical (p.130), just crying for hours. Following that, she had a hard time not crying every time the thought of Chris would appear in her mind. She, along with their mother Billie, severely lost their appetite (p.132) in the following weeks. Meanwhile, their father put on weight from stress eating. Overall, the family was deeply devastated after finding out their beloved family member had passed away.

Analysis: This chapter really emphasizes Chris and Carine's closely-knitted relationship. As we know Chris was never had the greatest relationship with his parents. I found it very heartwarming to know that Carine was ultimately the one to bring her brother home. It's nice that while Chris was always the kind to push people away, he still cared for and loved his sister so much.

#]]> 2022-01-07 18:28:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1980999682 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1984969664 Summary: In this chapter, we read more about the author's, Jon Krakauer, background. Turns out he was a lot like Chris in the sense that he was an avid rock/mountain climber. Specifically venturing out onto The Devil's Thumb peak in Alaska, he put himself through vigorous conditions, much like what we saw of Chris. Long after that, he was able to go about writing Chris' story from a much more personal perspective (p.134), having experienced a lot of what Chris did from even before the Alaska trip. Growing up, Krakauer himself also disappointed (p.134) his father with his rather spontaneous and careless personality. Additionally, much like Chris, Krakauer had a nature of developing an obsession (p.134) over small things that slightly catch his attention. Also like Chris, he took only a few packs of his belongings and his car when he departed (p.136) on his trip. In claiming that he was always surprised at how easy and freeing it felt to just leave (p.136) like that, we see the uncanny resemblance he shared with Chris.

Analysis: I honestly didn't even know that Jon Krakauer was a rock climber at all, let alone a world-renowned one. It was quite interesting to see all that he shared in common with Chris McCandless. Up until now, I don't know why I never thought about the reason why he chose to write a whole story on Chris. I now know why he did so. It was because he, in part, saw himself in the young Christopher McCandless.

#mountainclimbing #Alaska #coincidences]]> 2022-01-11 00:37:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1984969664 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986841718 Summary: This chapter is the continuation of Jon Krakauer's journey up The Devil's Thumb. We see that after facing many harsh conditions during his time on the mountain, he eventually made it out alive and well. The chapter starts off, though, somewhat chaotic as Krakauer decided to get high off of some marijuana. He then threw the cigar (p.146) in the direction of his tent (p.147), which in turn, the lining of the tent caught on fire. Krakauer was then left with a tent that was no longer able to keep him warm in the freezing weather. He then turns to talk about how his life actually wasn't all too different from that of Chris McCandless. We learn that he too did not have the greatest relationship with his own father (p.147), who much like Chris' father, had a whole blueprint (p.148) of a life he wanted for his son. Also similarly to Walt, Krakauer's father was the one who built the foundation for what would turn out to be one of Jon's ultimate passions in life, which was to climb (p.147).

Analysis: From reading more about Krakauer himself, I found it even more interesting that there are actually many people who are like Chris McCandless, going to Alaska to "fix" their major life issues. I wasn't really expecting that.

#triumph #climbing #familyissues]]> 2022-01-11 19:31:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986841718 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986843278 Summary: This chapter starts out circling back to Chris' journey, specifically when he left Carthage in April of 1992 and started heading towards Denali National Park. In order to get to where he wanted though, Chris would have to hitchhike, which we're told was typically difficult (p.158), but as usual, it seems to McCandless didn't experience any delays (p.158) with that. At least not at that point. He reaches a campground (p.158) at the Yukon Territory. After having trouble finding anyone to pick him up to get to Fairbanks, Chris is then picked up by a man who happened to be going there as well. He was a 63-year old man named Gaylord Stuckey, who after spending three days with Chris for the trip, grew very fond of him, noting that Chris was a courteous (p.159) young man who didn't say much until near the end of their time together. Eventually, they arrived in Fairbanks where Chris asked Stuckey to drop him off at the University of Alaska campus (p.160) so that he could learn more about resources in the wild. From there, Chris bought a book about what food to look for in the wild and a used gun, and then he left the town. He is then picked up once again, but by another person, Jim Gallien. Upon arriving at the edge of Denali National Park, Chris eventually encounters an old bus where he ends up writing in his diary of the obstacles he faced during his time there.

Analysis: In this chapter, I found it so frustrating how Chris was so close to civilization yet didn't go back even when he was starving. The frustrating part was due to his stubbornness of wanting to continue on with this lifestyle out in the wilderness.

#hitchhike #bus #isolation]]> 2022-01-11 19:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986843278 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986843667 Summary: This chapter starts off with Krakauer going to the site at which Chris McCandless had died (p.173). He had gone there with a topographic map (p.173) to help him better understand the reason or situation around Chris' death. We learn that Chris had attempted to cross the Teklanika river (p.174), but eventually decided against it, not knowing for sure whether it was safe or not. Krakauer, after looking into the parts and layout of the river, concluded that had Chris brought a map, he would've seen that it was safe to cross. Turns out, Chris also didn't know just how close in proximity he was to salvation (p.174), which would explain why he ended up starving all alone. Upon arriving at the bus where McCandless spent his last few months, Krakauer and his friends discover the remains of the animals Chris had shot, noting in particular what they thought was a caribou turned out to be a moose (p.177). There ends up being some talk about just how unprepared Chris was and they discuss Chris' character more in depth.

Analysis: Honestly, I feel bad that Chris ended up dying because he missed so many points where he could have gotten to safety, but then again it was his idea to wander off into the wilderness without a map just in case his plan fell through.

#wilderness #safety #oneyearlater ]]> 2022-01-11 19:32:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986843667 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986846189 Summary: Starting off the chapter, we discover that by July, Chris had actually made an attempt to flee the wilderness (p.188), though it was unsuccessful due to him not being able to cross through the Teklanika river's high flow (p.188). Seeing as though this was the case, Chris made his way back to the bus and figured he would try again in August (p.188) when the stream would have steadied out enough for him to cross. He wrote in his journal (p.188) talking about how he's been getting a pretty decent supply of food (p.188), although, that didn't last too long. Krakauer also interpreted some of Chris last words as him having wanted to be a part of the human community and continue his life as a normal person after escaping the wilderness. It was stated that McCandless' condition dramatically went downhill after July 30th, and he ended up passing away on August 19th, not even after a full month.

Analysis: It was honestly such a shame that Chris wasn't able to make it out of the wilderness in time. I genuinely thought he just was that stubborn to not leave at first. This chapter answered my questions surrounding the series of events that led up to Chris' demise.

#riverstream #outofthewild #unsuccessful]]> 2022-01-11 19:34:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986846189 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986851861 Summary: Ten months (p.201) subsequent to finding out about Chris' death, Walt and Billie McCandless take a trip (p.201) by helicopter (p.200) to visit the place where their son spent his last breathing moments. Walt had come to Fairbanks before Billie to work on a project with NASA. Two days after she got there, they, along with Jon Krakauer went to the site of the bus (p.201) where Chris had died. They examined the inside of the bus, the environment around it, and some of Chris' belongings. By the end, Walt had admitted that he was glad they decided to visit and upon leaving, he placed a plaque (p.202) in memory of Chris right outside the old bus.

Analysis: This chapter was honestly really bittersweet. I can't imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for Chris' parents to fathom that fact that they actually lost their son and seeing the conditions of which he spent his last few months of life. With that being said, I'm glad they still got the chance to do so. Billie stated that since Chris left home, everywhere she went, she would always wonder if he had walked the same path. It's nice that she finally felt a sense of relief upon seeing where Chris spent so much of his time, being out in the wild.

#memories #movingon #relief]]> 2022-01-11 19:36:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/1986851861 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/2001361576 Summary: After 23 years, nine months and $20,000, Jon Krakauer finally concluded the true cause of Chris' death was from consuming poisonous potato seeds. From what we initially knew, Chris had died after spending 113 days (¶.1) out in the wild, surviving solely on game and wild plants. Upon being found weeks (¶.1) later by some hunters, the Alaska State troopers had labeled Chris' cause of death as starvation. Once Krakauer had read over Chris' diary (¶.3) and seen all the things Chris had eaten during the span of his time in the bus, he started to question whether or not this was true. After some trial and error in determining what Jon had suspected was the actual cause of Chris' death, he eventually found that there was a toxin (¶.9) in the potato seed, specifically in the skin that forms around the seed during mid-summer (¶.12). Chris just happened to eat them at the wrong time, once they had already appeared in August.

Analysis: I find it incredibly unfortunate that Chris having died from ingesting those toxic potato seeds was ultimately a matter of bad timing. Then again though, I wouldn't be too sure that he would've made it out alive either way. It could have very well been sooner or later that this would happen. I feel like there is still a chance he could have definitely come across something else that would have killed him.

#wildplants #poisonous #potatoseeds]]> 2022-01-19 19:56:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/2001361576 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/2003829702 Ever since 2014, I've always dreamt of going to Vietnam. In part because that's where my family is from and I wanted to see what it is like in person. I've heard so much about it until now but have never gotten the chance to actually go. I say 2014 because it was the year that my grandmother passed away, in Vietnam. Growing up, I was really close with her. Of all the other people in my family, I took a special liking to her. I find it very unfortunate that she passed away in another country so I couldn't really see her actually knowing that it would be my last time. I would like the opportunity to visit the site of her burial in person at least once.

As for the part of me who is genuinely curious to see the place my parents spent their first 18 years of life in, I also want to experience the culture and see what the people there are like, and ultimately explore my roots. Honestly, having been born and raised here in America and never stepping foot outside the country, I feel more immersed in American culture and the values it holds than I do with Vietnamese or Asian culture in general. With that being said, I wonder if I would feel out of place there. I would love the chance to travel outside the country as soon as I'm old enough, but I particularly want to go with my mom to Vietnam. So, I'm really hoping I can go once I turn 18. I think it would be interesting to know that my parents left their home country to come here, while I would be going to visit that country from here when I am of that age.

#travel #Vietnam #honoringmyroots]]> 2022-01-20 21:00:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/2003829702 ktran139_4 https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/2005831471 Throughout the course of reading Into The Wild, I would have to say that for the most part I thought and still think he was pretty dumb and frustrating for the things he did.

In my opinion, him donating $24,000 to charity and abandoning all his most prized possessions seems admirable, but it just frustrated me to know that he did it. I know this sounds bad in itself to say that Chris was dumb for doing this, but I just feel like I find it so frustrating how down-to-earth he spent his life trying to be yet he was so out of touch with reality. If any rational person were to just think about how valuable $24,000 is, they could probably say it would have been better to hold onto that money and make good use of it. To think that $24k could literally change some people's lives, while Chris was just out there essentially throwing his money away as if it were nothing. I'm honestly more upset at the fact that he acted the way he did than the actual amount of money because in a part of the book, Chris was mentioning how he really was grateful towards his father, despite the horrible things he did. I get frustrated at the thought of this because it seriously seems like he doesn't appreciate just how privileged he grew up. I do understand that this was largely in part due to his morals regarding money ever since he was much younger. However, circling back to my point about him being out of touch with reality, it just seems like Chris was completely blinded to a life where he struggled with money, which I can't really blame him for, but I still feel like him ditching everything he had again, as if it were nothing, is just very telling about his morals and values, beyond what he or anyone else has claimed.

#dumb #moneyisn'tfree #self-improvement]]> 2022-01-21 21:34:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ktran139_4/82l9fj4yjvam95ra/wish/2005831471