Into the Wild by Kianna Nguyen (Student WHS)

My experience in the Wild ...

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-07 15:43:14 UTC

Growing up I did not explore the wild too much. My parents often thought that going out into the wild was not a good idea. Our idea of going out into the wilderness was going to the Huntington Beach pier for two hours to fish. I remembered my summers of going almost everyday to the beach to go fishing with my dad.

As I have grown I have invested a lot of time into exploring different places. Especially the past few years as I have traveled more often I have been able to convince my parents to take us to more natural scenic areas. We have done the 4 mile hike up to the Hollywood sign and even swam in natural rivers in Mexico.

I want to continue to travel to more areas and get to know more places. I also want to be able to make memories and experience more natural scenic routes around the world. Ever since I began to enjoy nature I honestly cherish and enjoy it so much. It makes me feel grounded and disconnected from all my stressors going on around me. The wilderness gives me space to breath and admire my surroundings.

Chapter 1: The Alaska Interior

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-09 15:29:52 UTC

Into the Wild begins with a man named Christopher Johnson McCandless who is determined to live a free life in the wild on his own.The first chapter begins when McCandles decides he wants to begin his journey to the backcountry of Alaska. He starts his harsh (pg 5) journey by hitchhiking with a man named Jim Gallien who offers to drop him off at the Stampede Trail. As they head towards their destinations McCandless explains his intended plan of living on his own in the wild. Soon enough Gallien realizes the minimal (pg 5) resources Christopher had brought with him like his small .22 caliber( pg 5). Gallien realizes and explains all the harm that could occur while on his journey but Chris seems unbothered. He carries on with the conversation ask as they arrive Gallien insists Chris takes his boots (pg 7) because were too big. Finally on April 28, 1992 McCandless is dropped off and disappears into the snow covered track.

Analysis: I believe that Christopher McCandles has no ill intent as reasoning to why he
wants to live in the wild. I believe he just wants to feel grounded and unbothered and Alaska happens to be that place for him. I wish he just would've prepared a bit better mentally and physically. Considering how little he brought with him on his journey it seems that he put barely any thought into his preparation to begin his journey.
#I<3Alaska #hitchhikingbesties #readytogo

Chapter 2: The Stampede Trail

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-09 15:30:29 UTC

Summary: This chapter begins with describing the obliterated(p.10) route(p.10) of The Stampede Trail where the Fairbanks City Transit System Bus 142 was. This is where McCandless stayed at for about four months. September 6, 1992 a group of men set out for the bus by the names of Ken, Gordon and Fredie. They eventually came across the buss but noticed a disturbing smell and an SOS note on the door of the bus. As the men peeked inside the noticed many things lying around and on the bunk was a sleeping bag (p.12). Gordan Samel takes a better look to examine the interior of the bus to find the head of a deceased and decomposed (p.13) in the sleeping bag. The next morning, Alaska state Troopers came to the vehicle and removed the remains along with a few other possessions such as film, the SOS note and a diary. McCandless's body was then taken to the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory where they performed an autopsy (p.14) to identify the remains using his note because he signed it off and rule out the probable cause of death which was starvation based on the fact that his reminds weighed 67 pounds.

Analysis: I want to say Chris's death was not unexpected but it was definitely sudden. I can not imagine the struggles and pain he was going through his last few days. I honestly really wanted to see the journey through and feel devastated it had to come to an end this way. I can't bare to imagine how the people who found him felt when they first encountered the body.

#SOS #longlivechrismccandless #crusheddreams

Chapter 3: Carthage

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-14 15:24:21 UTC

Summary: In this chapter the focus begins to shift off the journey and focus more on Chris's morals (p.18) and his background. It all begins in the lone (p.16) city of Carthage in South Dakota in a small bar named the Cabaret where Wayne Westerberg begins to reminisce his times with McCandless and the stories he would tell. He explains how Chris loved to live a nomadic (p.19) life. Wayne likes to talk about how McCandless was hardworking, ethical and how smart Chris was. They also talk about how everyone thought what happen to McCandless was odd. Wester them speaks on his first impression of when he met McCandless by helping him hitchhike and how they ended up bonding over the time they spent together. Westerberg also remembers that Chris explained how he feels estranged (p.18) from his family. McCandless also told Wayne about how wanted to begin a new life and have an unfiltered (p.23) experience with his precious life and eventually adopt new name and become the master of his own destiny.

Analysis:
I am really glad that McCandless felt a connection with Westerberg. Since the story began I felt like McCandless felt like an outsider in the world especially in his own family. I do enjoy how Chris doesn't want to rush anything and kinda of goes with the flow of things. I also kind of relate to Chris about wanting to live unbothered but I would never just wander off with almost nothing.

#bottomsup #idependence #meanttobe

Chapter 4: Detrial Wash

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-14 15:24:50 UTC

Summary:This chapter takes a turn for the worst in Chris's supposed to be therapeutic (p.25) journey to Alaska. He ends up ignoring many warnings (p.27) not to go off road into Temple Bar where he takes the opportunity to dumps some of his items such as his reliable (p.27) second hand yellow Dutson B210 after a flood occurs and the car stops starting. He then begins to work for a guy named Ernie in NorCal when he realizes Ernie was never planning to pay him. He ends up stealing a bike taking it to parking lot of a mall and dumping it there and getting a hitchhiking ticket and gives his real address. This leads to his parents knowing where is at. He heads south to Mexico and begins on a search for bodies of water dragging his canoe around but unfortunately continues to run into a dead-end (p.34) at every place he found. McCandless becomes confounded (p.35) and begins to rage as he pointlessly drags around his canoe as he is told he is heading in the wrong direction. He ends up breaking the oars to his canoe and decides to head back but is caught by immigration trying to cross the border without identification. At the border they confiscate his .38 caliber and is let go and Chris spends the next 6 weeks traveling across the southwest. He ends up returning to the Detrial Wash to dig up his Virginia license plate and some other belongings which he takes with him while he hitchhiking to Vegas.

Analysis: Chris is so dedicated throughout his journey but I don't know how he just doesn't give up. After going in circles and dragging around his canoe he still was dedicated to his journey despite his frustration. I admire that Chris is dedicated and persevering but at this point I am wondering why he did not just stop his journey there. ._.
#livingthecarlife #3rdpersonjournaling #hopelesscircles

Chapter 5: Bullhead city

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-14 15:25:18 UTC

Summary: In May of 1991 McCandless departs from Las Vegas and lands in the an oxymoronic (p.39), late 20th century idiom also known as Bullhead City, Arizona.He then ends up getting a full time job at McDonalds flipping quarter pounders.Although Chris was a dependable (p.40) worker he hated wearing socks which also happened to be part of the dress code. That wasn't the only issue the facility had they also told McCandless his personal hygiene did not meet McDonalds standard which made everything a lot more awkward. Employees began to offer soap as a kinda gesture or asked him if he needed anything which peeved (p.45) Chris off. They even offered rides home not knowing Chris was homeless (p.41) after that Chris began squatting (p.41) in a vacant mobile home. One day he got up and just left and ended up surprising Jan and Bob who were staying a few miles out from Niland at a place called The Slabs. Chris ended up helping out at the local flea market for awhile playing the piano to entertain the locals and even singing. After all that right as Jan begins to mother McCandless he gets itchy feet and takes off while politely accepting the offerings to leave them under the car's seat.

Analysis: After learning about how good Chris is with people I do not understand why he doesn't want to settle with people he meets if he gets along with them so well. It's sort of heartbreaking how all these people wan to care for Chris and he just runs away from them all. It gives a weird feeling about his background knowing he's such a good guy that adapts to his environment and does well with others.

#worksucsk #whostillcaresaboutdresscode #scaredycat

Chapter 6: Anza-Borrego

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-22 23:43:08 UTC

Summary: This chapter begins with our author reading a letter from a man name
Analysis:
#justice4ronsfamily #allbyhimself #keepgoing

Chapter 8: Alaska

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-22 23:44:25 UTC

In this chapter Krakauer travels to Carthage to interview Westerberg and some other acquaintances (p.76) . They speak about the McCandless's personality and the type of person he was. They also pointed out the foolish (p.71) person he was and how he lacked commons sens. People often think that he had unrealistic (p.83) goals of traveling the country with next to nothing. Many people even thought he was crazy due to his pointless (p.71) reasoning to why he's traveling all over the country to do nothing. Even with all that the people of Carthage loved McCandless.Many men actually related a lot to Chris , men down as Gene Rosselleini who killed himself when realizing his failure (p.75). John who literally disappeared while hiking up Alaska's tallest mountains. Poor Carl McCunn who passed away of starvation and frostbite (p.83). All these men had dreams they wanted to accomplish and things they wanted to do but never were able to accomplish them.

Analysis: This chapter purpose I feel like was to sort of explain to the audience how McCandless felt and what he actually wanted to do on his journey to Alaska. I feel like the book makes it seem as his mental state is not the best but it also doesn't go into depth about Chris's real intentions in Alaska. The men actually have a lot in common but who knows if it is the reason they all took these actions.

#forevertogether #preperationiskey #we<3alaska

Chapter 7: Carthage

ktnguyen202_4 — 2021-12-22 23:44:43 UTC

Summary: This chapter begins with an interview done by Krakauer to Chris's friend Wayne Westerberg. Westerberg and his family speak a lot on the type of person Chris was. Westerberg comments on how both Chris and his father Walt were stubborn and high strung. They speak about how celibate and chaste McCandless was almost like a monk (p.65). They don't recall him having any girlfriends but him mentioning him wanting to get married one day. They also talk about how single minded (p.66) McCandless was especially about nature rather than sex and girls. Wayne describes Chris as a hard-worker but explains how he lacked common sense and took big risks (p.68). Everyone remembered how Chris sat and played the piano and speaking his mind although he was drinking the night at the Cabret he was not a drunk speaking about his delusions (p.68). Although McCandless was good with all types of people who did not do well with conflict or close relationships. He did well expressing his thoughts and feelings but was afraid of committing to any other people other than himself. He then went off into his adventure that ended up being fatal (p.69) but wrote to Wayne that if it ended up killing him to know that was good man and says his good byes to Jan.

Analysis: I know the book says that McCandless just wanted to live in the Wild but what did he really want to do there. Did he plan on staying there and settling to start a family that he talked about or did he ever want to reconnect with his family ?? Overall I though the chapter was very sentimental to the audience how towards the end he says his goodbye and feelings towards Wayne and Jan and sets off to continue his adventure which eventually results in his death :(

#virgin4lyfe #whatscommonsense #scaredofcommitment

Chapter 9: Davis Gulch

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:22:12 UTC

Summary:This chapter is about a man named Everett Ruess. Ruess is also a wanderer (p.90) who heavily relates to McCandless. Everett was just like Chris as they adopted (p.93) the nomadic living life styled going on this journey and pursue his dream (p.96). Everrett was a student who had dropped out of UCLA after only one semester to begin traveling southwest. Ruess also writes letters (p.91) from where he is at like Kayenta, Chinle, Zion Canyon and so on. Like McCandless Ruess decides to rename himself choosing the moniker Nemo after the character Captain Nemo in the Jules Verne classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. While on his journey Everett vanishes and is never to be heard from again. A search party is sent out to look for him in Utah after going incommunicado (p. 93) Nothing was ever found other than his donkey, cave drawings and graffiti he made along with pieces of his gear.There are many stories on what happen to Everett but maybe he was a victim of his own actions and fell to his death or drowned. Some speculate that he was murdered by Native Americans. Remains were never found and he was never heard from or heard of ever again.
Analysis: I sort of understand why the author included this chapter but still a bit confused as to why he chose Ruess. I understood they were similar but many people leave there lives to live their dreams of living out in the wilderness. What made Everett Ruess so special ? Chris's remains were eventually found after his death but Everetts weren't.
#socal4ever #UCLA #whereisnemo

Chapter 10: Fairbanks

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:22:37 UTC

Summary: This chapter is about discovering the corpse of our main character Chris McCandless. Alaska state troopers (p.98) find this body (p.99) which they are trying to identify. Eventually it was put on Anchorage Daily Newsposts a former friend of McCandless suspected it was Alex. Gallien had recognized him a ride he then contacts the state troopers and confirms his connection with Alex. As the search (p.99) almost comes to an end another former friend of McCandless, Wayne Westerberg recognizes the discription. The description was given on a broadcast (p.100) in an attempt t identify Chris's corpse. Westerberg gives the state troopers McCandless's real name and his supposed social security number (p.101) which ended up being his permanent place in Virginia. This lead the state troopers Chris' half-brother, Sam, who confirms the body's was in fact Chris's. Sam eventually advises Walt and Billie about the tragedy that had occurred.

Analysis: This chapter was a little more emotional than others. I couldn't imagine finding your relative being talked about on the news because they had passed away and had no one to identify. Although Chris did not want to be associated with Walt and Billie in the end they found out what had tragically happened to McCandless.
#confirmedidentity #todayonADN #whowasonthenews

Chapter 11: Chesapeake Beach

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:22:46 UTC

Summary:This chapter is based off of Chris's family who includes his father Walt, his mother Billie and his younger sister Carine. Walt is hardworking man, he is brilliant (p.105) but can be a bit of a jerk. As similar as Chris and Walt are they do not get along (p.107). Both Chris and Walt are both focused and liked to call the shots (p.105). His parents get married after meeting at work and move to California and start a business. Since their parents have a business (p.107) they were always busy which impacted Chris and Carine because the lack of loving parents, and being in a comfortable home environment for their kids. Chris and Carine often felt as their parents were ignoring (p. 109) them to focus on work. The kids were very protective of each other during family conflicts. Chris was just like his parents though as he was able to hustle and grow up working odd jobs and making money. Once McCandless graduated from High School he saw it as an opportunity to escape on his first summer adventure (p. 116). This leads to the initial separation from Chris and his family.

Analysis: I wonder how McCandless fought through so many years of abuse. I feel like this somewhat contributed to his reason to leaving. Leaving Carine was probably one of the hardest things Chris had to endure especially after being bonded so well for so long.

#familyfights #toxicenviroment #gottogetaway

Chapter 12: Annandale

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:22:56 UTC

Summary: The chapter began with a birthday party being thrown for Walt. This leads to Walt being gave a present (pg.117) and emotional words being given by McCandless right before he leaves for his first adventure.There was no point in attempting to stop(pg.118) Chris from leaving on his journey as it was his dream and it seemed like just a trip he wanted to go on. When Chris came back from his journey though it was a cycle of worrying caused by the extreme emaciation and his near death experience in the Mohave Desert that they realized once he returned. His family conflicts were basically at fault (p.120) for his travels. For example his previous family's divorce was the reasoning of his father's adultery which resulted in Walt leaving and starting a new family. Through this discovery Chris's relationship with parents deteriorated (pg.121) quickly which was like a trigger for Chris's feelings that made him withdraw (p.123) from his family and leave for Alaska.

Analysis: This chapter was pretty overwhelming. I feel like Walt was such an important person to Chris but as so many conflicts began to occur Chris snapped. The snap eventually led to him wanting to leave the family and it was basically a snowball effect. His love for his parents just kinda snapped off and Chris didn't care anymore. He was too impacted by all these things going on around him and he thought the only way out was to escape and leave.
#goemoryeagles #fatherfigure #NEARdeathexperiances

Chapter 13: Virginia Beach

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:23:16 UTC

Summary: Here we focus on the suffering Carine McCandless felt after finding out about her brother's death and the grief (p.129) she went through. The two were very alike many people often thought Carine and Chris were twins (p. 128). She speaks about their shared love for their family dog(p. 128) Buckley.Chris actually wanted to take the family dog with him on his trip.Carine has no doubt (pg.131) McCandless would've taken less risks with Buckley on the trip. Even though the two were bonded Chris never contacted her during his trip so Carine was in an absolute state of SHOCKED when her husband tells her that her brother was dead. Carine takes the passing (p. 132) hard. She cried for days and even lost more than 10 pounds in the months that followed due to loss of appetite (p.131) . At the end her and Sam even travel to Alaska to pick up Chris's ashes.

Analysis: The sibling bond Chris and Carine had were very strong. I cannot imagine how she felt when her husband not even Same or her parents told her about Chris's death. She even began to share past memories she had of the two of them. She probably felt abandoned because Chris never wrote her and still had the heart to go pick up his ashes in Alaska. This chapter tore my heart it was so sad to read about Carine feelings.

#foreverfamily #lilsister #imy

Chapter 14: The Stikine Ice Cap

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:23:27 UTC

Summary: Jon Krakauer completely flips the story and begins telling his own story of his Alaska adventure. Krakauer decides to head to the north to find himself not by living in the wilderness but by summiting the major mountains in the 49th state. He becomes engulfed in the idea of hiking Devil's Thumb. Climbing (p.134) is very difficult due to the very steep, challenging ascent on the glacier (p. 138). Like Chris, completing this climb becomes his main focus in his life in the moment. Jon's obsession (p. 134) with climbing the Devils thumb becomes obscene and seen as this rare climbing achievement. Much like he thought it would be , the ascent is far too dangerous and could be deadly. Krakauer continues with cautious and to be careful stepping on the snow covered crevasses (p. 140).One wrong step and it could leave him tumbling down hundreds of feet to be covered in snow. In May Krakauer just decides it was the day he must climb the mountain with courage and focus.Even with the warm temperatures and sunny day, the ice is rock hard and Krakauer panics (p. 143). He can see the summit, but is not able to reach it. He eventually leads himself back down the mountain.

Analysis: The narrator uses this experience to compare to Chris's in hopes to reiterate how Chris was feeling I believe. In certain ways it does with the obstacle they both must face and frustration they needed to deal with. This was overall a fail that led to Krakauer leading himself right back down the mountain.
#myadventures #canhedoit? #courage&concentrationiskey

Chapter 15: The Stikine Ice Cap

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:23:39 UTC

SUMMARY: This chapter starts with Krakauer stuck inside(p.145)his tent due to bad weather. An attempt (p.146) to pass the time while the weather is still bad and a little under the blue due to his failed attempt.He later decides to smoke a joint of marijuana which ended up burning a hole in his borrowed (p.147) tent. This hole created a draft that dropped the temperature inside the tent. While in disbelief he is reminded about his diminishing relation with his father and that he is not a replica pf his father and his high expectations (p.147) of him to pursue medical school and follow the footsteps of his father. Eventually Krakauer decides to try again at the Devil's Thumb. This second try was no good, as the storm was harsh, so he had no choice but to turn back, again. He plans third attempt at the climb with an easier route and makes it to the top ! Krakauer then heads home. Considering what had happened it was by chance (p.155) Krakauer had made it out alive and Chris didn't. This makes him believe that Chris was not suicidal but just had a dream

Analysis: I felt like this experience was life changing for the Krakauer. He had a ton of obstacles thrown at him nd happened to dodge them all and take different routes to his destination. This was also like a point of realization for him about McCandless and the wilderness and just how powerful it can be.

#thiswasalotmorecomplicatedthanithought #accomplished #everythingisstillthesame

Chapter 16: The Alaska Interior

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:23:51 UTC

Summary: So as Jon Krakauer begins to wrap up his own story he makes a leap back to the odyssey (p. 157) of our main character. This chapter starts as Chris leaves Carthage on April 15th for the last time ever. It begins with his journey and meeting up with Jim Gallien just 13 days after leaving Fairbanks on April 28th. He made his way through Canada before meeting up withGaylord Stuckey who was dropping off an RV from Indiana to Fairbanks. He stays with Stuckey for about 2 days and sharing his plans of living off the radar and in the wild. Alex then sticks out his thumb and Gallien helps him hitchhike right outside of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus. Chris's location was only ever known through his journal (p.163) entries. He followed the river to the Stampede trail, eventually finding the bus (p. 163) where McCandless later dies in. McCandless's successes eats lots of small game (p. 164), but eventually upgraded and shoots a moose (p. 166) most of the moose goes to waste since he was confused with what to do with it. After reading "Family Happiness" that talks about the happiness and it must be shared with others to be real, McCandless eventually decides to pack up on July 3rd and head back to civilization. Once Chris arrives back at the river the snow melted and has made the river impassable, the water is too deep and the current too strong for him get across. Chris was alone (p. 163) for awhile before he decides to cross the water because the water was so high.

Analysis: I feel frustrated how Chris was not able to make it to civilization safely. He was so dedicated to this trip and had overcome so many difficult obstacles for something so simple to happen. CHRIS COULD'VE MADE IT TO CIVILIZATION !! This was such a tragic accident that could've been avoided
#simplemistakes #stuck #watercanbedangerous

Chapter 17: The Stampede Trail

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:24:03 UTC

Summary:In this chapter Jon Krakauer and his friends Roman, Dan and Andrew retrace McCandless's footsteps to the bus. They were about 20 minutes from the river when one of them find a steel cable car (p.173.) Then the four traverse their way along the trail, seeing for themselves just how difficult it was to work their way through the bush to find the bus. When they got to the bus the men search the inside where they ended up finding many of Chris' personal belongings. One of the men even notice the foul odor of dead birds (p.178) and eventually found a garbage bag of feather which they believe McCandless was using to make a pillow or use for insulation. They even found a pair go jeans patched (p.179) up with silver duct tape . This freaks the men out, as they feel they are intruding on Chris' final resting place. They spend their night camping outside of the bus with their fire (p.180) they had build right outside the bus(p.186).

Analysis: This makes me think about how if McCandless had a map would it have saved his life. A map can only guide him so much but what if he decided he did not want to follow it. Chris was a very independent self reliant type of person so it makes me wonder could he have saved himself with a piece of paper. Would he choose to save himself???
#buslife #alwaysbeprepared #mapsarethebest

Chapter 18: The Stampede Trail

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-16 06:24:16 UTC

Summary: McCAndless returns to the bus after not being able to cross the river due to high flow. Chris carries on and continues to live his usual existence. Chris also just finished reading a book by Doctor Zhivago where he cited (p.188) and noted thing that excited (p.188) him. One of the phrases he annotated was "HAPPINESS IS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED." . This made me believe he wanted to connect to others and talk to them about his life. Then July 30th, Chris wrote an entry in his diary that explains he is in jeopardy
(p. 189). By august 19 Chris McCandless was dead (p.189) There were 3 possible reasonings to why Chris took a turn for the worst and had passed away. Either he was so hungry that he ate moldy seeds from South Dakota that became poisonous.Maybe he ate poisoned potato seeds or he ate toxic sweet peas on accident. It seems to be that he ate poisonous sweet pea seeds. McCandless was so emaciated (p. 199) with rapid deterioration that his bodys immune deficient was not well enough to fight the toxins and caused him to be unable to hunt for himself which left him in a state of hunger. As McCandless realizes his life is coming to an end he snap a picture with a card that says "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL" (p. 199).

Analysis: This chapter was pretty gruesome. The way they described it the end of his life felt so surreal and heartbreaking. I could not imagine how McCandless felt on his last days. It feels horrible to think that McCandless eventually knew his time was up and he took that picture with the note in hand. Unfortunately this story did not have a happy ending but it sure was meaningful.

#restinpeace #dreamsdocometrue #shareurhappiness

Epilogue

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-19 06:27:16 UTC

Summary: In this last chapter McCandless's parents are accompanied by Krakauer. Their plan was to take the trail Chris once took with the mottled green tweed of muskeg and spruce forest (p.201). Unfortunately they had to change plans due to the high currents of the Tekilanika River and took a helicopter trip to Chris's final resting place the bus (p.202). Once they landed Walt explained how much he always had a disliking (p.202) for Alaska but had to admit how pretty it was and all the beauty(p.202) it held within the state. They took a few moments to look around the bus and wander around to see how exactly Chris had left the stuff lying around the bus and how it looked. It also speaks about how at ease (p.203) Walt felt. After looking around they take their final goodbyes and get back in the helicopter and begin to head back.

Anaylysis : I cannot imagine how heavy hearted his parents felt when they arrived to see all the things left how Chris had left them. No parent should ever have to endure the death of their child ! Although Chris was no longer close to his family the bond between a child and their adults are unbreakable the love will forever be there. It is so upsetting how the parents had to just accept the fact that their child had passed away with no warning. Death is such a hard thing to face and such a difficult process. I hope that Walt and Billie had a smooth grieving process :(((
#goodbyesarealwaysthehardest #acceptance #onelasttime

Afterward

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-20 06:57:48 UTC

Summary: At the end of the book Krakauer explains to his audience the suspected reasoning of McCandless's death which they eventually narrowed down to being poisoned by some seeds (¶ 1)that he had ingested during his journey. Krakauer had took it upon himself to find out what had killed (¶ 4) Chris and found out by reading one of his journal (¶ 5) entries specifically entry 94 stating he ate them and was feeling extremely weak. Krakauer had gone on his own mini journey by sending some of the seed samples to a lab which revealed the neurotoxin (¶ 6) that the Eskimo potato plant (¶ 5) contained. Krakauer then also explains to his audience how the seeds which contained beta-ODAP(¶ 7) made Chris spiral into a health decline and eventually caused weakening and paralysis which led to him being unable to hunt for food. This resulted in the cause of Chris McCandless's death which was starvation(¶ 1).
Analysis: Krakauer was so persistent in finding out what caused McCandless's death. This also made the story special because although they didn't know each other personally they connected on several different levels. Chris McCandless was not some crazy guy who wanted to live out on the streets but more a man who was chasing his dreams that passed away of a tragedy chasing his dreams.

#poisonouspotatoseeds #betaODAP #unknownofthewild

My Future Odyssey

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-20 16:41:28 UTC

During my childhood my parents never really took us out to do things like in the wild. To them going out was like maybe to a park or the beach. We did travel but it was always to the same place in Mexico and it wasn't really to explore but more to go visit our family thats living there. I have always wanted to go hiking and or camping and not too long ago me and my family hiked up to see the Hollywood sign. Although it was a long hike it was worth it in the end. In the future I want to be able to explore a little more. At this old age of 17 I still yet have NOT been camping. I don't have anywhere in particular that I want to go but I don't mind either so I guess it would have to be something only the future will tell. ;)

I feel like in the near few months maybe going into summer I will gather some friends and go hiking with them. My parents are very indoorsy people and don't really enjoy being out in the open. Although my mom does love to look at the scenery she enjoy driving by it in a car and leaving where as I want to explore it. I hope to finally gather the courage to go out more soon. I am definitely a little scared and timid about doing so but I just want to be able to just leave and do it instead of procrastinating about it.

#onlythefuturewilltell #Chrishascourage #inenoughtime

Chris McCandless Reflection

ktnguyen202_4 — 2022-01-23 19:45:52 UTC

This book was definitely something. For a while in school I have not read a book I enjoyed as much as I did this one. It goes very in depth into Chris's life and his thought process as he goes out on his dream goal to travel to Alaska. Not only did he take the long way to Alaska but risked his life to get there and eventually it was the reason Chris's life came to an end. Overall he was so happy to be doing it even on his roughest days Chris always managed to socialize maybe not the most normal ways but he made connections and friends who cared about him which I definitely think was the best part.

The Good: I honestly admire Chris for chasing his dreams. He could've put a little more thought into something as life changing as he did but overall very proud he escaped the environment he was in. I feel like it was by impulse due to the environment he was and he just wanted to live in something COMPLETELY different. It was very obvious in the book that Chris was not happy living with his parents and even had a horrible childhood growing up. He was doing so well on his trip up until those DUMB SEEDS. HE LITERALLY SURVIVED DEATH !!!

The Bad: I wish McCandless was a bit more prepared and even had a backup plan in case JUST IN CASE his plan were to fail. He did do many sketchy things with no hesitation what so ever. HIS PARENTS THOUGH, they are a whole different story. They definitely made me very angry. I understood the whole tough love thing right but what was with the whole toxic and abusive setting ?!?! Why would anyone ever do that to their kids and realize and just continue. I understood they were overworked and what not but I have a pet peeve when people take their feelings out on other people and its so ANNOYING.

In the end I definitely do support Chris's decision to travel to Alaska. Could he have been more careful, yes. Props to him though for having the guts to just up and leave his home issues and just live out his life and not needing them. That for sure is something so difficult to do. All I would like to say here is he was an ABSOLUTE LEGEND and may he Rest In Peace.

#longlivechrismccandless #foreverinourhearts #liveYOURdream