Into the Wild | Everything That Went Wrong for Chris McCandless

[@PunkExMachina]

I always found this a cautionary tale of romanticizing nature...

[@elizabethschumaker8658]

Big Jays Hair what do you mean by european?

[@TheDarkfighter101]

@@elizabethschumaker8658 That's the part I found concerning. The dude died in Alaska

[@makavelismith]

That's a pretty good way of putting it.

[@Gj23jk2]

McCandless grew up rich and insulated. Like many children under such circumstances, by the time he independently became "enlightened" about his place in the universe in adulthood, he was in no position to appreciate his real situation. Dude blamed his whole life on cosmic circumstances he couldn't control because he'd been spoiled his entire life and had no idea how to accurately assess what was making him unhappy. I can bet you $1000 starving to death in the wilderness was an inferior coping mechanism to getting some therapy. Even his escape fantasies were from those of a spoiled child's mind.

[@jaktam8765]

@Big Jays Hair no European forests are not made for man. Too many trolls and elvs hiding there. Not to speak of orcs. NA forests should be just fine 👍

[@scottbradford5463]

Les Stroud, The Survivorman, summed it up perfectly. Chris was very underprepared and didn’t know what he was doing. He was ignorant, yet he was likely a very charming person and would’ve been a thrill to speak with, but Alaska doesn’t care if you’re charming.

[@irony8908]

@matskigudjohnson A five year old knows not to go to the woods unprepared. If anything its not naivety its arrogance.

[@campermandan]

@@irony8908 A word that comes to mind, hubris.

[@christopherpardell4418]

@@irony8908 I’ve met 50 year olds without that understanding. There was that 20 something guy who ended up having to cut off his own hand... People die every year in national parks, hiking trails or camping alone. People fall off buildings or cliffs taking selfies. Most Americans are raised with a sense of imperviousness and an Anthropocentric delusion about ‘nature’.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

Sure don't.

[@Elric54]

Wes would know. He's seen the worst of Alaska and Canada, for that matter. Never closer to death than in those shows.

[@christiangarcia5924]

The book literally says his actions shouldn’t have been idolized.

[@zooeyhill6006]

Yeah but I'm totally pulling something like that. Lituya Bay problably

[@debicadude]

This. This grinds my gears af about this topic

[@christiangarcia5924]

@@debicadude frfr

[@Handle35667]

Few people have probability read the book. If they had they would come to the conclusion that he naively killed himself. Or they may just be too stupid to come to a conclusion, who tf knows

[@zooeyhill6006]

@@Handle35667 I read the book, and I came to the conclusion that I will be more happy alone then in society.

[@jenrenee8747]

I feel like his story is more a cautionary tale than an inspiration

[@lizzieck2576]

Indeed! And coming from a 3rd world country, I find it particularly sad how a young man that had everything can just abandon his family and throw it all away like that.

[@diegofoster9536]

@@lizzieck2576 he was abused

[@destiny7496]

@@lizzieck2576 it wasn’t all that simple, but whatever you say.

[@destiny7496]

@Sassy The Sasquatch YESSS !!!

[@mikebryant8507]

@Sassy The Sasquatch his death was long and gruesome. Worst way to die.

[@marion_roberts]

He definitely inspired me not to F with raw nature and attempt to live off the land without knowledge and training.

[@johnbarber4549]

I lived in Alaska for 30 years. This guy and the guy who got eaten by bears were both stupid. Listen to the locals. Better yet, stay home.

[@P4Z44K]

@@johnbarber4549 He inspired me to read a book about plants

[@PM-qp5he]

if you needed a movie to tell you this you're not a smart person and please don't reproduce.

[@Delihlah]

That's the thing though. He DID have knowledge and training. He also thought the seeds were edible because of a book he read with them in it. The book was old, inaccurate and just not up to date. He had the right idea, but was ultimately failed by the knowledge of that time and he also didn't map out the area enough, if he had, he would have known there was a ranger center nearby.

[@Delihlah]

@@johnbarber4549 Chris was not nearly as stupid as "Grizzly Man."

[@Space_Ghost_Hunter]

What i took from it was that his goal was to escape society/people and be alone, but when you actually look at it the only reason he survived as long as he did was because of HELP from all these PEOPLE he meets along the way. It isn't until he's completely alone in Alaska with no help that he finally realizes how in over his head he is, and dies. The point to me is you can have a desire to be free of society, your family, responsibility or whatever, but there's plenty of people like that who understand and are willing to help you. If you try to go it completely alone though, you may die of course but you also miss sharing your life with people. Thats why that quote "happiness is only true when shared" hits him so hard at the end, he realized that the most important thing in life is finding people that love you, he turned away everyone who ever cared for him and payed the ultimate price. Thats what I earned from this book.

[@KevAlberta]

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

[@phuonguyeno4905]

Well, same thoughts

[@daan6763]

he didn't wish to escape people, he liked people, he was just fed up with society as it was presented to him in his life, by his parents example. pretty sure that if he had made it out of the wild alive, he would've settled down and lived life his way, just on his own terms, not constricted to the rules society gave him. and i can relate to that...

[@daan6763]

@@ljp9402 you can still like people but not like the way society is... i like the company of people, i'm interested in people, but i'm delighted to live my own life on my terms as much as possible... it's not easy to avoid society, but that doesn't mean you *enjoy* the construct and everything it brings with it...

[@techsyndrome3291]

well said , nothing to add

[@barbaratrinkle8379]

While visiting that part of Alaska I spoke to some of the locals. They found it puzzling that people from the lower 48 thought he was some kind of hero. They all thought of him as a fool.

[@floraposteschild4184]

Native people may have survival skills -- for emergencies. They don't deliberately put themselves in a bad position, to see if they can get out of it!

[@Janellabelle]

Not all of us in the lower 48 think that either, but he's deceased now so that's all I'll say about that. He reminds me of Grizzly Man.

[@7864cwebb]

We Alaskans find this story annoying and we all certainly think him a fool

[@thatshitcrayz4987]

He WAS a fool and most people know that. Look at the comments here. There are very few who think he was some kind of hero and those who do either don’t know his full story or are blindly optimistic and forcing themselves to find something positive about his death.

[@thatshitcrayz4987]

Flora Posteschild No one does that except for idiots.

[@Etigress]

They removed that bus last year because tourists kept getting lost and hurt trying to find it

[@jonathantan2469]

I recall reading that 1 or 2 have already died trying to reach the bus. :/

[@jman1749]

It's called natural selection. The bus should have remained where it is

[@chinesekungfu2031]

😁

[@realcanadiangirl64]

@@jman1749 Absolutely!

[@deltabourke1005]

@@jman1749 I agree

[@ExxotikGaming]

Saw this guy’s bus 7 years ago when I visited Alaska, and took a small bush plane over the Denali Nat’l Park area. It was especially creepy considering I had read the book beforehand.

[@adamw9509]

I'd love to do that. That place must be so atmospheric..or is it always full of tourists now?

[@missbizy]

@@adamw9509 there's nothing now. They airlifted the bus off a week or two ago.

[@Tara-id3rk]

Adam W It’s not anywhere NEAR where tourists could have accessed it. They recently removed it because it became some sort of morbid attraction and people were needing to be rescued or even died trying to get to the bus. Alaskan wildness isn’t some “hike through the woods.” It’s dangerous. People were very interested in the bus, unfortunately, like Mr McCandless, overestimated their outdoor capabilities and underestimated the terrain.

[@trol0001]

Hi

[@ak_downrange_threat7251]

@@adamw9509 There is so much room in Alaska when you see another tourist it will be a treat cause you will get to discuss what you have seen. We do have a Tourist season and yes there are more people here at that time......but there is plenty of extra room here.

[@harmonymitcham2857]

They just removed that bus because people kept going out there and needing to be rescued, lol

[@certaindeed]

@Billy West it's not about being weak it's about being ignorant and idealistic. We were all that way once but nothing like today. Many kids his age were eagle scouts in the 60s 70s 80s and would have been taught practical experience and knowledge to survive with an appreciated place in society and nature even in an emergency. This idiot had neither and that is what drove him to go out there and also what killed him. Do you understand that? His failure and attitude even in the 90s is more prevalent and significant with the youth today. The fact that they are idolizing him and getting themselves killed and in need if rescue to get to that bus is disturbing and shameful. It takes a lot more than lightweight gear, but telecom and GPS alone would save you...and no one is skilled enough to operate without them.

[@fishing4happiness610]

@Billy West ... Truth! In my own videos, I show my 9 year old daughter how to start a 🔥. It's true though ... most adults cannot start a fire without dousing it with gas or using a roll of toilet paper lol.

[@certaindeed]

@Billy West I agree with what you say about others fixing his messes and him relying on it...it's that way now worse than evet, right? What I was asking/preaching was that it was two things that killed him: his lack of appreciation of his place as a human being in society, and his ignorance. His arrogance as you say comes from his first part. I also grew up on a farm, hunted, fished, dressed animals but was also in scouts..which taught me the role and responsibility of a young man in and to society. Many kids in there were farther behind than me, but they are fellow members of society that are going to effect and be with me in the future and I have to deal with that. He needed that as well to curb his arrogance and give him both humility and appreciation for the struggles and complexities of dealing with man...The exact thing that caused him to run out in the first place. Dealing with your fellow man is tougher than surving on your own in many respects. I'm a practical survivalist. Though I can make a fire without matches, I have no desire to do it.. Every vehicle we have has two cans of food, matches in paraffin and matches in an altoid tin with other necessities, flashlight and batteries, extra clothing, tools, and a gallon jug...extra shoes and socks, and a small backpack. Tow rope jumper pack and road atlas. This even when working in the city and wifes car. She hated it but I made her do it and it saved her troubles on more than one occasion.

[@TheHaloring7]

@Billy West The only thing you have experience in is being a boomer xd

[@TheHaloring7]

@Billy West Yea 30 is boomer kid, also you're not Elon Musk what the hell???? Stop lying!

[@JNava]

If you read the book, you know exactly where Christopher went wrong, since the very beginning of the book, saying “No” to people that wanted to help him. Yea I get his message, I admire the braveness in him, but don’t confuse Bravery with Stupidity. That’s how things go wrong.

[@Openreality]

That just confirms my suspicions that he wanted to die alone and that he chose to die in the wilderness away from his family due to his mental illnesses.

[@toohip]

Exactly. He wasn't some inspirational hero they try to make him out to be. This was straight up stupidity. This kind of thinking leads others to put themselves in unnecessary danger.

[@nacho_ava5323]

Daenerys would have appreciated you

[@america6545]

He choose his destiny. He had friends that spoke highly of him. He wanted to lived a simple life. Not the first not the last.

[@moe_lester2628]

Regardless of his stupidity his journey is quite sad heartening and was genuinely a good guy as said by everyone he met

[@sammencia7945]

My brother was Chris' friend. I saw him graduate, my brother told me he was going to Alaska, lead a non-material life. Finally gave up his last possession, his own body.

[@Andrew-co8du]

Try?

[@mjwbulich]

Never understood the appeal of his story. He runs off to the wilderness(kinda) with an almost nonexistent skillset and zero experience. He makes bad decision after bad decision and then dies. The end.

[@calamorta]

Same. I just clicked to see if I'm the only one who couldn't care less about this story

[@cyasteri]

I really didn't know anything about him til now but I'm just disappointed by his story. Like, he didn't prove anything. He didn't even made a point that living in the wilderness is better or something

[@atrapforfools]

Same. This story never appealed to me. I remember being disappointed when I watched the movie.

[@TheBRad704]

It does raise some interesting questions (at least to me) about the ability of an average modern adult to actually survive in the event of some massive societal crisis. Can you imagine entire cities of people suddenly having no electricity, phones, computers, refrigerators, ice, long term food storage, water supply, etc? I'm not a "doomsday prepper" kinda person, but maybe they at least have some headstart on the rest of us in terms of just having a plan.

[@cyasteri]

@@TheBRad704 nice take on this! His story isn't inspiring but yeah, it does raise those questions. Also, it ushers people to get to know nature in case some of the scenarios you mentioned ocurred

[@ctkairos]

How anyone could see this as an inspiration rather than a cautionary tale is beyond me.

[@royms2000]

Even if the guy had been successful, I don't see how it would have been inspirational. So he willingly put himself in danger and didn't die? Here in the civilization he apparently despised so much, there are people who willingly put themselves in danger to actually help people. What did this guy actually do for anybody?

[@user-zg5ey5xo9i]

It is a inspiration. An inspiration to get prepared if you want to do something like that.

[@BaronFeydRautha]

Beat me to it. Right? He was a fucking idiot

[@w415800]

Nobody said inspirations has to be positive, they could be inspired to do the same stupid shit.

[@TheDizzleHawke]

Darwin Award winner.

[@jeffgoza4703]

He wasn't a hero, he wasn't an inspiration. He went into the wilderness with no experience, no skills, no knowledge and he died because of it. It's a tragic story, no doubt. But he shouldn't be celebrated. He's an example of what not to do. He knew it too. He died knowing he made a big mistake.

[@lunareclipse0629]

The only sad part about this was that note on the bus. By the time he finally put his pride aside and begged for help, it was too late. Would've made a great life lesson, if only he'd lived.

[@clairelouise3591]

I feel like that was the point of the film, him romanticizing and underestimating nature and eventually knowing there was no rescue. Could not believe that people were 'inspired' and kept hiking to the bus and needing to be rescued, they completely missed the point of his mistake

[@GrexTheCrabasitor]

@@clairelouise3591 its like when people want to start their own fight club

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

@@lunareclipse0629 Something tells me he wouldn't have learned from it though.

[@robertwilson7813]

Don't think he ever expected to be famous, how could he have anticipated a book and movie and millions of youthful anxious people to idolize him. cut the dude some slack we all make mistakes. Don't think he thought of himself as a hero just a dude

[@BarkingCur]

Chris McCandless' fate, along with that of Timothy Treadwell's, underline a grim truth of the world around us: Nature does not suffer fools lightly.

[@snowyowl7042]

I was also thinking of the grizzly man comparison. Sad 😢

[@channelthree9424]

I was thinking about Timothy Treadwell too since I had just recently learned about him and his fate. I don't know if Chris McCandless was crazy or not but Timothy Treadwell certainly was. I think Chris was one of those people who didn't know as much as they thought and that they could survive on instinct. Maybe too confident. Mother Nature doesn't care about confidence.

[@robertbarron7017]

EXACTLY.

[@Delihlah]

Can we please not compare Chris to that idiot? Lmfao

[@FlaMan991]

Steve Irwin agrees

[@rakaman27]

This guy: Potatoes, you have betrayed me Ireland: First time, huh?

[@mrsapplez2007]

Brilliant 😃😃😃

[@mysmirandam.6618]

Love it

[@ClickClack_Bam]

You do know that Ireland during the great potato famine was growing enough food to make everybody in Ireland fat don't you? The English took over control of the food distribution and starved the Irish while they sent the plentiful abundance of Ireland's food to England. They found deceased Irish with green mouths from last ditch efforts of eating grass to save themselves. Go read the first hand accounts of them finding women and children with green mouths dead everywhere. Despite knowing this the English turned a blind eye and kept shipping the food to England. May they all burn in fucking hell for that atrocity and as an Irish American they want me to pay black people reparations while my family's story is ignored? I'll shoot every last asshole that ever tries to make me pay that one you can bet on that fuckin one!

[@mysmirandam.6618]

@@briantrester7412 my ancestors came from ireland to new york then Kentucky and since the 1800s, new mexico

[@antonboludo8886]

Good one!

[@cosaosa2855]

Sorry to piss anyone off, but his own ignorance killed him.

[@headlesschiken]

not sorry to piss you off, you live as a manipulated controlled pawn by the government and eat literal processed manufactured crap all day, the day that society falls is the day the gods say good riddance.

[@cameronpain1422]

@@headlesschiken I agree with you but he was ignorant with survival skills. Dumb ass hiker/college kid. he died and that is all. Truth is there is many fools like him. Only thing he could do was carry a damn backpack and he was probably a shitty hunter. And who eats potato seeds?

[@user-ux8gx1ct2n]

lubatron2000 That literally has nothing to do with anything buddy, take your anger out somewhere else

[@dwissba68]

@Lebo leigh Leigh He was no Jeremiah Johnson

[@ehrichsmiddy4663]

don't be sorry for telling the truth...

[@Me16768]

At least he didn’t get his girlfriend eaten by a bear like Grizzly Moron.

[@danielmorgan4899]

He thought the bear didn’t have an ASS !

[@HyDl2ALiSk]

I love how nature doesnt care your feelings.

[@PresidentFunnyValentine]

I love how we're still throwing shade towards that man. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but if someone gets what they deserve, then I'mma call it.

[@RCN2820]

Who?

[@Me16768]

@@RCN2820 Google Grizzly Man. It was a guy that also went out into nature without knowing what he was doing, and got eaten by grizzly bears. They made a movie out of him, but in order to keep the tree hug narrative the girlfriend he took out with him was left out of the movie. She also died by getting eaten from a bear. Just collateral damage for The Cause.

[@KingCalb]

I loved this movie. Made me think twice about just running into the woods without a fool proof plan.

[@mjwbulich]

You're actually putting the cart before the horse. First you get some training. Then you apply that training which will lead to a skillset. Once you have some skills and real world experience you are ready to put together a plan. I'm sure I could plan a sailing trip around the world but seeing as how I have never actually sailed a ship on the open ocean, I doubt it would go well.

[@bobdole8830]

You don't need a "plan" you need knowledge, training, and experience.

[@jamesmarceau4609]

It's really not that hard if you know what you are doing. And it helps to take a few survival courses.

[@michaelchristopher2003]

@@mjwbulich there are plenty of youtubers that sail around the world with little experience Chris just wanted to die.

[@mjwbulich]

@Stephanie Logan If I could choose my own death it would be to be killed and consumed by a wild animal, preferably a grizzly or a great white. I surf in shark infested waters and hike and camp in grizzly country. So fingers crossed.

[@toddolson573]

The way that he was portrayed in that sleeping bag at the end of his life, left a very sickening feeling within me for a long time. I had watched this over 8 years ago and still to this day i think about it. The horror of knowing your dying and all alone has such an impact on anyone that words alone can't describe or touch.

[@wellknown1204]

Ikr, i wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy to die in cold place, and alone.

[@billfarley9167]

How many people have died alone in the Covid-19 pandemic? Birth and death can be a lonely experience. What counts is what you do in between.

[@destiny7496]

“i have had a happy life and thank the lord. goodbye and may god bless all.” this broke my heart, could hardly compose myself. i could never imagine knowing i’d die alone. he knew, and it’s tragic. he got to alaska, even if his life ended there-in a way he fulfilled his goal. people seem to hate him for being ill prepared and arrogant, but they never choose to focus on the fact he wanted to find happiness. they ignore that chris realized “happiness only real when shared.”

[@swmita]

Marie that's the message and the irony of his story. He realized the part that happiness came from sharing but realized it too late when he was dying

[@MaxBlight]

@@billfarley9167 not as much when you look at the global statistics. On 2019 only about 409,000 died of Malaria. We panicking about it?

[@thatshitcrayz4987]

“Here are all the missteps he took” then more than half the video is only about him being poisoned.

[@AnotherRandomPoser]

it really is the only thing that killed him

[@ninjanolan]

@Ellie5621 Read the book a few weeks ago, my memory's fresh on the subject. He had asked around about how to deal with large amounts of meat, and the hunters he asked (in the southern region of America, where it is very hot and humid) told him to smoke it in order to cure it. Of course, what works in one place doesn't work in another- especially with the incredible difference in weather- so when he tried to smoke the meat it just went terribly.

[@TheDrakelicious]

Awww buuu

[@ak_downrange_threat7251]

@@ninjanolan There are no locals in that area, have you been to Healy its has a mom and pop store and a gas station. I sure as hell would not be looking for survival tips from a gas station clerk! Course I am a live and he isn't maybe that's why!

[@stanleyhape8427]

Being ignorant and arrogant is what killed him.

[@privatename3447]

His weight was 140 going in and dying at 68 lbs. So sad. I believe he didn't want to be his dad, running away and never stopping made him feel in control of hizs life.

[@privatename3447]

@Jake Slay that's what I read online

[@jermainerace4156]

@Jake L He was short, but honestly 140 isn't that light most of us Americans are just pretty fat. As far as the 68lbs goes, I read one stat that said his remains were 66lbs when he was found, but its worth mentioning that he was found already partially decoposed so he probably lost a lot of moisture post-mortem just due to drying out, and he may have lost some body mass to scavengers.

[@shanewoods1980]

If only he had realized that control is simply an illusion

[@flahgdoe4558]

I remember being 18, fresh out of the parents house, in a new city, going to college. I watched the movie at a coworkers house over some beer, and I was popping off about how great he was and how I wanted to do that and “escape this fake society man.” Now I look back 10 years later and I cringe my sack off.

[@Riyoshi000]

Escaping society isn’t the real problem, just the way he did it was...

[@Tara-id3rk]

Cringe your sack off 😂 I’m gonna use that...and I’m a woman. Haha.

[@Tara-id3rk]

P.s. I’m from Alaska and, although I don’t live off the grid by any means, it’s certainly a different way of life up here. We do feel ignorantly disconnected from much of American “society.” Ish. It’s a very freeing and isolating place to live, all at once.

[@entr3_nou5]

Don’t feel too guilty about it; it’s only human nature to want to break free from normalities, especially upon leaving the house for the first time. As someone else here pointed out, McCandless’s idea in it of itself wasn’t flawed, but the execution and philosophy behind it was. McCandless was a transcendentalist, meaning that he believed in being one with himself and his own abilities as opposed to studying wilderness safety and following precautions: that’s why he only brought a bag of rice and a shitty caliber gun, among a few other things. So if you did your research and knew your boundaries with this kinda stuff, not trying to do this as a permanent thing, go ham!

[@cordedwaif]

Flahg Doe Being a part of society still does suck. if you’re so adverse to the idea of leaving it, you’ve simply become the ideal societal slave like most everyone else.

[@kath2934]

this year i intend to cross the sahara desert without the aid of sunscreen and a hat. I am a ginger. Can you spot my miscalculations?

[@kath2934]

@Rae Vandenberg sorry don't understand

[@thedog4499]

@@kath2934 Muslims

[@bryanjr5745]

LOOL

[@derinden15]

As long as you dress yourself up like the locals, you will be fine.

[@thedog4499]

@@derinden15 that is true.

[@isabel-db6jd]

Too much focus on potato seeds. He was so inexperienced as a hiker that he didn't realize that a small stream will become a raging river in a different season. Rivers become un-crossable. He cut himself off from his only escape out of the wilderness. People talk about how intelligent he was. Well, the wise man knows that he knows nothing. This guy's death is a classic story of hubris laid low. He named himself Alexander Supertramp and thought he was acting heroically. He did not live long enough to grow up and gain an adult perspective.

[@isabel-db6jd]

@Michael Walker Yes, he wanted the danger of being unprepared, perhaps like an explorer years ago. The problem is that he was more than unprepared. He was also lacking in wisdom and experience but was way too arrogant to recognize this key shortcoming.

[@Marquis-Sade]

@Mr. Roderick. First Name If he read books about survival it would have ment something!

[@Marquis-Sade]

@Mr. Roderick. First Name True. But he could have read that stuff and that would have been a good idea, I guess.

[@isabel-db6jd]

@@akera300 Can you chase your own truth without giving yourself a superhero nickname and glorifying your pursuits? I suppose I should go easier on the guy himself. What I don't appreciate is a writer/moviemaker/culture that glorifies this kind of stupidity as somehow special, heroic, and worthy of our attention.

[@isabel-db6jd]

@@akera300 Also, it's the fact that I'm not sheltered in a bubble that makes me, personally, so critical of him. I've spent more than 20 years traveling, backpacking, hiking, and realizing how insignificant I am in the scheme of the great big world. I don't suffer from delusions of grandeur and never did.

[@FightsRightsAlways]

I never found Chris's story, deep or profound. All I got was a lost soul, trying to find or do something that would make him whole and end the suffering that he had within himself.

[@Spartan-Of-Truth]

How is that not deep and profound?

[@alantinoalantonio]

@@Spartan-Of-Truth because its not. There's nothing romantic about it. Lost? Get help.

[@Spartan-Of-Truth]

@@alantinoalantonio Cool story, bro.

[@prernanaithani5971]

Exactly my thoughts but I don't hate this poor guy. He was looking for love in the wild which he never got from the society.

[@chipette1852]

I kno is many years after, but, it vould have been deep and profound IF he had learned survival first. Then it vould not be escapism, but it vould be a calculated journey back to the roots of man.

[@anthonykelly1368]

It's like a game of Clue. He was murdered by Charles Darwin on a Bus with a potato seed.

[@theurbanloner8879]

Lol

[@Waltham1892]

Nice...

[@Liberty_Tree]

haha, clever

[@Utonian21]

LMAO

[@donneale7555]

Well done

[@elijahbey3366]

He loved nature and hated industrialized society. Ironically, he died in a rusted out old bus that symbolized the very thing he was trying to get away from. Interesting..

[@robmatijevich8910]

I never thought of it that way. Brilliant thought. The movie portrayed Chris as someone naturally social. It was the fake socialization process of education, and the constraints of modern society which he sought refuge from.

[@kaidne]

@Raye J27 why not? he lived a happy life, and he clearly wanted to live life like he did, rather then living a "normal" boring life, even if that brings risks for him which it did. It his choice how to live his life

[@kaidne]

@Raye J27 no thats an opinion. he probably lived a more adventurous life in 2 years than most people will in a full 80 year lifetime. Let people live life in their own way plz.

[@alexisrusso1787]

wow cool find

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Rob Matijevich wtf really? That’s the first thing I though about... same about Wow if life was meant to be lived alone then how would have he even been born? How did he supposedly even get educated? Or learn any skills? By himself? No. It’s super ironic cause he lived in a MAN MADE industrial made also bus lol. He WOULDNT have even had that mindset if it wasn’t for society and learning from it... his privileged education. Funny cause most who live life the way he dreamt would do ANYTHING to have the pleasures and safety and education he was handed... it’s all a sick joke. Especially for him in the end lol he definitely saw it.... or maybe not. Who knows. It’s not an inspirational story. It’s a sad story of how parents can fuck up their kids with their own problems and cause them to do stupid shit and die young. Nothing more. Maybe for society to reflect on itself and be careful with its children and be more kind in general but that’s it. There’s a reason societies work & civilizations become powerful. They last a LOT longer than one or two folk living in the wild. That’s for sure and they get a LOT more accomplished and advance. Dumb ignorant wanna be hippies idolize this story because they don’t see the true message. Whatever. What can ya do? Social Darwinism, they’ll kill themsleves off or their offspring or whoever they influence. Eventually. Andumb example but The walking dead do u see that lone survivors like it or want to be alone? Who survives more? The world doesn’t even need zombies, people are way more horrible and deadly. Sooooo.

[@Schnipah]

Everything that went wrong for Chris: 1: Didn’t know how to adjust for the current. 2: Didn’t study the area via map. 3: Didn’t bring an emergency radio. 4: Didn’t bring enough non-perishable foods. 5: Chose an area that wasn’t often traveled by hunters. Thats the list I put together back in AP English III when we read the book.

[@ryanelliott71698]

Yeah I had an essay on this, I think I was only a few that believed he was an idiot who thought he could survive this dangerous stretch of land without proper preparations made

[@lucabrandalesi6743]

If I remember right, he didn't santo to prepare much for this. Ok, he didn't have a radio yadda yadda, but maybe he just wanted to go face first

[@Charmin77]

I felt the same. I had to read the book and do report on it for summer school. like 5 years ago an I thought he was so selfish. he came from a pretty good family and dropped everything and left without telling anyone.

[@Openreality]

You can add that he chose poisoned vedgetables without realizing it to that list.

[@D0NU75]

he may have played a lot of skyrim though, if he decided to leave a journal with his skeleton besides.

[@mariannehaugland1629]

In Hunter and gatherer society the greatest punishment the tribe could met out was banishment. They knew that being all alone in the wilderness most certainly would mean death. We are herd animals and in order to live as one with nature we need a herd!

[@niteshnehra1716]

Yeahh. Mammals are social animals. But toxicity is increasing so much these days .

[@wiseauserious8750]

Yep, there's been a lot of research over the past couple decades regarding the negative physiological effects of loneliness. It literally takes years off one's life

[@er2206]

Very true

[@another_random]

@@wiseauserious8750 only a soldier with love for his country can!

[@randyscott9720]

or just common sense

[@ankurshah23]

I feel Chris paved the way in showing everyone how NOT to go "Into the Wild". I think that part is the inspiration they are referring to. - Be prepared - Educate yourself before hand (not after the fact) - Carry one New world item - Ziplocs or radio - Listen to your parents

[@DragonsOfSnow]

So then a cautionary tale...not insperation.

[@ashleyalmeida1778]

A really good inspiration going into the wild story is about a women who hikes for month to get over her drug addiction. Her book is called “wild” and unlike him she prepared and studied for her trip and wasn’t afraid to ask for help. She also learned how to navigate. Did Chris even have a map ? it’s known that’s there was a camp site 6 miles away from that bus, and there was a part of the river that was crossable upstream.

[@trippersweet7632]

He did survive more than 2 years by himself and he was happy on the journey along the way

[@Deadassbruhfrfr]

Also, dont believe you white privilege will save you.

[@paulolucero9864]

@@Deadassbruhfrfr ?????????

[@coolgirl312]

I remember reading "Into the Wild" in high school and being repeatedly frustrated at his antics throughout the story, especially when there were moments he could've gotten help or was warned by others and he just ignored them and kept going with this whole minimalist living off the wilderness idea. He clearly wasn't prepared, or did thorough research and had several people warn him against continuing or gave him suggestions that he ignored. In the end, I really didn't feel bad for him, I felt bad for his family who had to go through their day to day lives wondering where he was or what he was up to.

[@ColdNorth0628]

This. I feel bad more for the idiots family more than the idiot.

[@redrocket604]

I read the book too and I completely agree!

[@kath2934]

Read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes..thats inspiration of a battle against adversity not of her OWN making

[@Abby-yc7tt]

I can't believe this is read in schools. Why not read, "I blew myself up cooking crack" or "mom said not to play with matches, now that I burned down the house I understand why". so stupid to glorify the ignorant

[@Abby-yc7tt]

@@ediebarry4648 Try spelling STUPID OR PROBABLY correct and maybe someone will listen to you. Where he was coming from was a drug addicted life on the streets of California. If you think that's an adventure, well then you need directions to the local crack house.

[@luisaymerich9675]

Some years back I was visiting a friend and she had seen the movie before but she wanted me to see it too. We both agreed that it was foolish of him to have attempted to live a winter alone in Alaska without the necessary experience, equipment, skills, and supplies. Days after she was visiting me and we watched "Alone in the Wilderness" with Dick Proenneke. I had ordered the DVD from PBS. He too had wanted to spend time in the Alaskan wilderness but he planned it well. He brought with him a camera so we got to see footage of him building a cabin, hiking, fishing, canoeing, gardening, and hunting. He was alone but he had a pilot friend fly in a plane every few months to bribg him mail and a few supplies. He lived in that cabin for many years. That's how you do things.

[@brt5273]

I loved Alone in the Wilderness

[@luisaymerich9675]

@@brt5273 It does provide a great contrast to the McCandless' tragedy. Many had sought to live a life removed totally or temporarilly from civilization: the Essenes, John the Baptist, Benedict of Nursia, the fur trappers in early American history, Thoreau. Some were religious hermits, some were philosophers, some were fugitives or victims of circumstance like Alexander Selkirk. They either chose or were forced into an isolated primitive life. Dick Proenneke was the first to take a camera with him. His was the first living-off-the-grid reality show. Pretty cool to see.

[@samsondog2182]

That guy was a badass to go out and do what he did for so long. I saw part of the show on pbs and always wondered what it was called, thanks for posting the name, now I'm going to go watch it in full.

[@ak_downrange_threat7251]

@@samsondog2182 You want to see a Bad ass when it comes to Survival meet any one that lives in the Alaskan Bush, the very thing McCandless couldn't do!

[@samsondog2182]

@@ak_downrange_threat7251 If they are anything like Dick Proeneke they are some tough ass people, I have great admiration for those types of survivalist, McCandless should be renamed Mcwreckless.

[@teamuslic7268]

The admirable thing about Chris was his desire to live a life of deeper meaning and his courage to seek it. No one can blame him for that. The failure was in his lack of planning, which should be a cautionary tale to us all. May he Rest In Peace.

[@TREADLYFE]

Deeper meaning or just was so socially dysfunctional he couldn't bring himself to learn how to be responsible and mature? It's not like that doesn't happen to a lot of kids with that background, they find other creative ways to kill themselves through addiction or risky activities. Deeper meaning might just be a rabbit hole for mental illness and it's nothing short of irresponsible not to treat it.

[@yonathanandrewpardede4538]

@@TREADLYFE ikr

[@emilycunningham8125]

well said

[@Bloodclatburner]

​@@Navi405 when you're persistent at being arrogantly ignorant it makes it easy to dislike when you are now in need. Similar to boy who cried wolf situation. And I wouldn't say hate more off a "if you had not been a dipshit we wouldn't be here smh" kinda vibe. RIP tho

[@Goblinoid-o]

@@Bloodclatburner You might want to work on your grammar

[@oldiron1223]

The horribly sad thing about this was there were two weekend cabins within a couple miles of that bus that were owned by personal friends of mine. I helped one of those friends haul building materials into his cabin while this kid was starving to death just down the unused fork in the trail. We were making enough noise that he should have heard us, chain saws can be heard for miles in the bush. This was not as far off the "beaten path" as the book and the movie make it appear. You do not read a book and think you can survive in the Alaska bush.

[@keagan0000]

That's really sad and also incredibly stupid of him. Seems like he was probably pretty self righteous

[@Andrew17877]

@@keagan0000 Giving $25,000 to charity, surviving for 2.5 years on your own in the big wide world at 23, surviving for 113 days off the land in alaska, living a journey and life that inspires millions in life and death, surviving a difficult childhood, getting amazing A grades at school that could take you to harvard, having the courage to live on your own terms, finding life questions and having the courage to not only ask them of yourself but the courage to find the answers is not stupid nor self righteous. Stupid is coming on here with such a comment and little understanding as if you are superior in some way. Self righteous perhaps. I wonder what you've done by 23 that makes you so capable of judgement.

[@loleeeetaa]

Andrew Ballantyne this is a very strange hill to die on. he was a remarkably poor decision maker who displayed disturbingly weak judgment skills before he even left for AK. you can respect him, and he had some strengths and skills as well, but he wasn’t perfect. and his death was directly his fault. you can respect someone while still being honest about who/what they were.

[@Andrew17877]

​@@loleeeetaa I didn't think the person prior calling him self righteous was correct or respectful. He didn't ever claim to be perfect. His journey wasn't based on sound reasoning, what the correct decision was or what people "should do". It wasn't based on what's technically right or wrong. His journey was about ultimate freedom. No matter what people thought, or what strengths or weaknesses he apparently had. It was an odyssey on his terms that didn't need to conform to best practice. Ask yourself this, if he didn't want a watch to know the time, didn't want a map to tell him whats ahead and didn't want anyone to know where he was, do you really think his prime motivation was survival. Or was it to be free. Your logic wasn't his and therefore he made the correct choices for him, not for me or you.

[@loleeeetaa]

Andrew Ballantyne that’s so shmaltzy and corny all it’s missing is a swelling orchestral score and it would be the main speech in a lame 90s movie

[@MyFairDinkum]

I went through the tour of Denali on a school bus .. and our guide had nothing but contempt for the guy. Not only did he poach a moose and not know how to preserve its meat... he also inspired so many copycat "survivalists" that try to get to the bus (that's still there) and people from Healey have to save them *constantly*. His whole story has created a nuisance for the people in the area.

[@floraposteschild4184]

That's what I find unforgivable about people who "test" themselves in the wilderness: they put the people whom they expect to save them at risk.

[@ogadlogadl490]

Get rid of that stupid bus! Cut it into pieces and get rid of it!

[@robertfolkner9253]

Logan Stroganoff +Odd thing- he did have a map, it was found among his possessions.

[@kackstiftmoppelkotz110]

Give evolution a chance...

[@xBiiiGCat]

Logan Stroganoff when i made the hike out there in august of 2016 the only way back was by crossing the teklanika river and it was hard enough for 3 people to cross with ropes, we actually came across a guy who was coming the other direction and got swept about a quarter mile down the river and went in to the wall at a riverbend and fortunately we were able to pull him out

[@victoriaalbastra6325]

I never liked this story. He wasn't brave, he was extremely naive

[@andrepettersson175]

It's like all those people that want to go hitchiking in the middle east and central asia to show "love wins" and then they end up murdered... very sad but totally preventable if they werent so naive

[@nickthorp5790]

I agree i was even annoyed at times. However when i heard about his family issues i understood a bit more.

[@JohnSmith-cm4zy]

He was both.

[@rolfenmonster]

@Pooh Xi yeah but not starving to death and still being able to enjoy the good things in life. Your sarcasm is ridiculous

[@andrepettersson175]

@Lassi Kinnunen your right it isnt brave. Its stupid

[@justinklassen2965]

I believe the meaning behind it was it took him being completely alone and isolated for him to realize he truly wanted a family and connection to be happy

[@aaronwoo6]

“Dead In the water” image was a bit scary I must add

[@annalisanorman9013]

Aaron Blixky It’s a still from a Supernatural episode called “Dead in the Water.” Definitely creepy, but a clever little add in.

[@TherealDanielleNelson]

@@annalisanorman9013 I caught that! I loved Supernatural.

[@rexxy2409]

Fuck that

[@mariameneses2860]

I literally screamed

[@bradleygomes8655]

I agree 100%. It is a very disturbing image.

[@amangcaya4468]

Ive read the book when I was in high school in 2005. The way he chronicled his last days still haunts me. I can’t imagine how he felt knowing he’s going to die there alone all the while feeling that sick.

[@andrewdavidwhyte]

Yeah but the author doesn’t really know much about his last days, most of it is made up due to lack of notes, the book is probably like 10% fact at most

[@ericpitt3876]

Mother Nature is not as forgiving as we would like to believe. RIP Chris, I think you went into this with a good heart but found the challenges beyond your control.

[@MelyssaAKASkittlez]

That's the nicest comment I've seen on here. Matches my sentiment.

[@boomerhgt]

YOU BIG DOSSER He should have researched some really tough places in this World , then he might have been more grateful and content .

[@nathanr4633]

Chris’s death was very much in his hands, but he didn’t have a problem with that. He knew going into it, and even told people like Wayne Westerburg he may not come back. That being said, even in the last picture he took he still had a big smile on his face so he died doing what he loved and that’s more than some of us can wish for.

[@marcus.H]

That picture was definitely not his last moments. Plus people smile in pictures not because of natural happiness He chose isolation. Then it took him permanently

[@ajd0101]

@@marcus.H i mean his journal doesn't explain all that or much of anything tbh ... ^^

[@SLowPLaYaH]

A few years ago, when I was homeless and without options, I put together a wilderness "survival" duffel bag with everything I thought I'd need to live out in the woods by myself. I was heavily into bushcraft and had much more knowledge about the essentials of living in the wild than the average person. I can start fires without matches or a lighter in a variety of ways, can build shelters, carve tools, set traps, etc. . . I ended up with a duffel bag that weighed over 50lbs and a bunch of nonsensical items in it. I remember one sad moment distinctly: I was at Walmart looking through camping supplies and realized I could really use a saw. I found a junky folding saw and showed it to my 3 year old nephew that I happened to be watching for the day (what a weird dynamic, taking care of a 3 year old while being completely unable to even take care of yourself). Anyway, I showed the saw to my nephew and told him that I really want it because I might need it to survive. His responses was so simple that only a 3 year old could say it. "You want it, you should get it." He had no idea that I was essentially preparing for a slow, painful and lonely death. I have no doubt in my mind that had I made my way into the woods as I intended, even with 50+ lbs of gear, I would not have stood a chance. My life was spared by fate when one of my only friends (who didn't even know me that well) offered to let me stay at his (his parent's) house for a few months. I got a minimum-wage job, saved up and bought a $100 bike, and eventually put myself together enough to function in society. But the fact remains that I, a knowledgeable outdoors type and bushcraft fanatic with plenty of supplies, would have died due to a severe lack of knowledge and an even more severe lack of an ability to realize that I had that severe of a lack of knowledge in the first place.

K

[@cloudinessoverdose2009]

Glad ur alive dude

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

No matter the knowledge one has Nature is dangerous and cruel. Mcanddles had even less experience. Frankly it was only a matter of time before he would have died if he continued that life.

[@lymarie1974]

I’m so glad you made it to share your story ❤️. Stay safe

[@tzvetelinakumanova4041]

It's the Dunning-Kruger effect, but I'm glad u made it :>

[@TheFujac]

well he achieved his dream of living off the land....just not for very long

[@Xenon255]

I mean he did live off the land for the rest of his life.

[@Food4thought1234]

When I saw he wrote "Lonely, Scared" I really lost it then. It was hard for me to connect and even be cynical at times. But it's hard to forget how much suffering he really went through, how much time it took. Poor man.

[@___LC___]

Same. I’ve known extreme isolation and loneliness, but it cannot compare to how desperate and lonely he must have been. My isolation came from becoming disabled and spending years alone in my home, but if I was able to get out of bed, I could have spoken with someone...not so for Chris. He was truly and desperately alone. It breaks my heart.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

@@___LC___ I’m bed-ridden from disability too. Have been so since 2004. It’s pretty shit, man.

[@nathanmcdonald1572]

And he never once thought to light a tree on fire as a signal... He also could've walked half a day and reached a nearby town but he threw his compass in a river, refused a map, and didn't study his surroundings before going in them. I'm sorry but he had multiple ways of solving his situation but he remained ignorant till the very end.

[@user-qb6hj1dw8t]

@@nathanmcdonald1572 you're being a little too critical I think... Yes, he was ignorant but does that mean he deserved to die a painful death? Can you imagine what's like to want to escape everyone else just to end up alone and scared and wishing to be rescued? Yes, he was dumb and maybe he downplayed his situation until it was too late, but nobody deserves to go trough that

[@nathanmcdonald1572]

@@user-qb6hj1dw8t where did I say he deserved to die that way?? I didn't... I'm saying his death is 100% his fault and could've been prevented with the smallest amount of common sense.

[@richardthomas3415]

“There never can be a man so lost as one who is lost in the vast and intricate corridors of his own lonely mind, where none may reach and none may save”. Issac Asimov

[@yabadabsdoooss]

wow... thats an amazing quote..

[@ZenCorvus]

What's weird is man has never actually lived alone. We've always lived in tribes. This idea of being alone and making it wasnt ever a thing

[@SigRho1429]

Zen The exact opposite, actually. Being exiled was a death sentence.

[@renovatiovr]

@@SigRho1429 Yet there were people who managed to do so. There is a romantic side to being alone with yourself

[@criticRN]

Exactly!

[@DoomFinger511]

@@renovatiovr Yeah we call those people hermits. Usually those that survive had some level of mentoring before living on their own.

[@lesasmart6043]

Yes! Being ostracized was a punishment. The inuit always lived in the area as a tribe. A tribe can hunt and fish. Besides game up there is stingy and not very nutritious. That why the inuit lived on fish, seal and whales.

[@anatikus1050]

He didn't have a wilson volleyball....so he died.

[@michaelroach4219]

Your comment is the best!

[@christinaFaith84]

Exactly.

[@PieAndChips]

Sorry, I was in the Philippines

[@sosteve9113]

Lol,Wilson I think he was more the romance of it,that got him killed,he died because of starvation. Naive and no experience was what lead to this outcome. I do a lot of reading and "amateur research" out of interests ,about these cases, The movie was a nice tribute to him and his family,but the bottom line is,that he wasn't prepared and didn't think well trough it. And others can learn from his unfortunately fatal mistake. And for the peoplewho say,he died doing loving what he likes,if he was prepared he was still doing what he likes,I am sure there where more miserable moments in that bus in the time he was there then moments of joy.

[@strollas]

LOLL

[@nancyjones6780]

After reading his sister's book, The Wild Truth, I think Chris was damaged by his parents and didn't have any true adult guidance. I also think he may have been dealing with untreated mental illness. I think his mistakes were tragic bc although not well prepared he was a decent guy for sure.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

OUTSTANDING--look at my comment I just posted!!

[@semcmeans6062]

Agreed.

[@Alice-ov3rd]

I always thought this was more likely.

[@jamesbarker4054]

He obviously lost faith and trust!

[@imoutbye]

Agreed. His dad having two families and the coldness in the home. That would mess anyone up and likely result in some form of mental illness and search for happiness. This is what he chose.

[@newportmike8519]

Took my fiance to this movie when it came out and was stunned at how many dense layers of emotions it affected. Cried several times silently over things I couldn't exactly put my finger on. Felt like I was him searching for salvation or something. His struggles, to me, were symbols of my own and they were displayed right in front of me with no atonement in sight. He wanted to check out of a world that he felt he shouldn't have adhered to, only to seek a new peace but got his ass kicked the whole way and when he finally found a tiny piece of Shangrila he discovered it wasn't that and tried to go back to the place that pushed him out and he perished trying. He was seeking and it felt, to me, like he got punished for the departure and punished for the return. Probably my own guilt but this is the stuff to heal. Maybe his death was his exit too home/heaven and I didn't see it as the exit from this life is never pretty, Usually. Hal Holbrook reminded me of my grandfather so that was another tear jerker. Left that movie very affected and to this day not sure if I can watch it again. A little afraid to go down that road again... God speed brother Chris.

[@bored_potato]

At the end of he day, he wasn't trying to be a hero or a fool or an inspiration. He was just being human. Edit: Don't read the replies. Most are made by narrow-minded, judgmental folks. Edit 2: I did say "most", not all. Edit 3: holy crap I forgot this comment existed. Anyhow, there wasn't really any deeper meaning when I made this comment 10 months ago. I simply wanted to acknowledge that McCandless likely didn't think of "inspiring" people to follow him or something and that he was just someone who was looking for something only he himself knows for certain, maybe he really is the one to completely blame for his predicament, maybe there's other factors we don't know about, and yet we'll never know for sure. As this comment got more likes and as people started to argue in the replies, I added the "Edit 2" which now looking back looks like I just got way in over my head. I apologize for that as well as for ironically being "narrow-minded" about other people's thoughts in the reply, I get their perspective, yet I still stand in my original statement (without the edits) that the guy was just really being human. How and what kind of a person he was as he lived and died, at the end of the day, is all up to our own perception but it doesn't change the fact that he was desperately seeking for something he thought he could find in the wild and didnt realize that it was never there in the first place, until it was too late.

[@LividCreature]

He just wanted to experience what he wanted to experience. He had every right to do so.

[@dean8842]

No, sorry, he was a fool and a first-class one at that.

[@Gj23jk2]

A foolish human

[@Handle35667]

A human lacking sense enough to not wander into the wild

[@Gj23jk2]

@@LividCreature So you think suicide is fine and should be allowed without anybody trying to stop them? That's a harsh opinion.

[@christopherscott8747]

The Bus is Gone! The nearby town voted to have it removed and it was.

[@jamessveinsson6006]

Thank God.. The bus was an object to those who thought of him as a hero.

[@ellec2935]

That was a good move. Others have died or had to be rescued going to the bus.

[@charlesphelps2730]

It had to be, It was paying homage to a dead white European.

[@workonitm8]

The bus was a fatal attraction and there was NOTHING MAGIC about it. People died just trying to go there. The wilderness is wild and unforgiving, and not a place for the inexperienced. While Chris fate is tragic, he is NOT a " hero." Removing the bus was the right and sensible thing to do. It should have never been left there just littering the wilderness.

[@workonitm8]

@@jamessveinsson6006 People made him a hero in their own mind and went there trying to somehow mentally connect with him which was futile.

[@robertfolkner9253]

“To say Chris’s story is an inspiration is an understatement.” Yeah, if you want to die miserably and alone.

[@bsanaee]

We all die alone and, unless one is very fortunate, in pain.

[@DeagleGamesTV]

We all die miserably and alone.

[@x777aria]

it inspires me to not do that

[@sosteve9113]

I think he was more the romance of it,that got him killed,he died because of starvation. Naive and no experience was what lead to this outcome. I do a lot of reading and "amateur research" out of interests ,about these cases, The movie was a nice tribute to him and his family,but the bottom line is,that he wasn't prepared and didn't think well trough it. And others can learn from his unfortunately fatal mistake. And for the peoplewho say,he died doing loving what he likes,if he was prepared he was still doing what he likes,I am sure there where more miserable moments in that bus in the time he was there then moments of joy.

[@christianjames9667]

The sad thing about the entire story is that if Chris simply brought a map with him then all of his problems would've been preventable.

[@jakedaniels7676]

I gave this book to my mom before I traveled telling me he was an inspiration. She called me after finsihing it freaking out

[@davidl570]

She probably saved your life.

[@bigprojects2560]

Just dont become an emaciated corpse

[@TheMcKenzieHaus]

I don’t know any mother who wouldn’t read that book without panicking over their children lol 😂

[@Welcome2TheInternet]

Send her a postcard of a skeleton covered in berries and shit.

[@outstretchedwings]

This guy's story reminds me of a Jack London short story I read in English class. This guy goes to into Canada to try to find gold, goes into the area with scant supplies (in the middle of winter, mind), ignores the advice of the locals, goes out with no one but *a dog* for company, and ends up dying of frostbite, his dog running away to alert the nearest town.

[@tjanderson8800]

@outstretchedwings to build a fire?

[@IRosamelia]

I read that in high school too!

[@CamaroAmx]

Read the same book. However he ends up actually becoming something of a wilderness man after most of his party dies or abandons the quest. He years later dies in front of a campfire due to the cold and his dog ends up integrating into the local wolf pack. It’s called call of the wild. It’s my father’s favorite book. As he has said it’s the only book he has ever read in it’s entirety that he wasn’t forced to read for school or work.

[@MutantApe-hz5mh]

If I'm not mistaken, Jack London was actually McCandless's favorite author, which inspired McCandless's imagination regarding the "power and peacefulness" of an ascetic life and so.. McCandless spent the final months of his life following in London's footsteps, traveling north and living in the wilderness.

[@Charlot1914]

The son of the wolf? I read the call of the wild, loved it!

[@Casey5693]

I see his story as a tragedy more than anything.

[@cricketking8450]

In my opinion it shows that he wasn't smart enough to survive didn't know what he was doing, I hate that happened to him but he should have used common sense, you don't eat any plant you really don't know that much about, plus storing food the right way so it want mold.i think he should have studied about the plants in that area he was at and should have taken a Surrvivel course he made a bad mistake and he paid the price.

[@KaelWrit]

turns out he was fleeing abuse, so some of his decisions that seem irrational make sense, he really just wanted to be alone and independent

[@spiritofthewolf15x]

THe only tragic part about it was his parents lost a son. I feel no sympathy for him. He was an idiot.

[@josi4251]

In some ways, yes. This guy had a deathwish. He was utterly unprepared, didn't have boots or a gun (a guy who gave him a ride insisted he take his own), and his "navigational" tool was a gas-station map. Alaskans who hear of this story just shake their heads. Whatever drove McCandless to the point he walked into the site may have been difficult, but he was actually telling people goodbye (his friend Wayne), knowing death was a distinct possibility. He had no clue about hunting, gathering appropriate food, or how to preserve any of it. His death was tragic for those who loved him -- very much so.

[@josi4251]

@@KaelWrit He was an adult, and I don't know that anyone was abusing him. In fact, he had a fairly nice life who took his parents' relationship far too seriously and acted as if their problems were a major affront to him. He thought everything was pretty much all about him, and I don't think anyone ever hurt this guy other than himself.

[@woodsplitter3274]

I can appreciate the different aspects of his character. He was a Jack London fan. At some point, he must have read "To Build a Fire". He read it, but I don't think he understood it.

[@adelaidemarie]

Wood Splitter isn’t it fun ridiculing the dead?

[@woodsplitter3274]

@@adelaidemarie There is no ridicule intended. I admire his free spirit, but I feel he lacked both humility and empathy. His death was very reminiscent of the main character in Jack London's short story - an outsider who knows better.

[@mondoseguendo6113]

I read it and then burnt down my house; I think I missed the point too.

[@marisabel5500]

Nature doesn't care if you're a good person, it doesn't care about your intelligence, your achievements or your wants, your feelings and dreams. It could save you if you know what to look for just as much as it will try to kill you regardless of who you are. Respect it. Don't underestimate it.

[@kegsofvomitspit]

I can sum up everything Chris did wrong in one sentence: A guy with negligible survival skills and minimal experience living in a high alpine or tundra environment was deluded by his own Don Quixote mindset that he could handle a lifestyle that is only suited for those with the proper training and/or wherewithal.

[@kcbh24]

Really poor sentence structure.

[@kegsofvomitspit]

kcbh24: Yeah, I probably could have made my point in a more concise manner. Still gets the point across. Chris was in WAY over his head.

[@kcbh24]

@@kegsofvomitspit Chris was delusional to believe that his negligible survival skills and minimal experience living in a high alpine or tundra environment would allow him to handle a lifestyle that is strictly for those with proper training and background. There. Fixed it for you.

[@kegsofvomitspit]

kcbh24: ........but I miss Don Quixote..........

[@lindsaymays7206]

@@kcbh24 There was nothing at all wrong with the original sentence structure and you supposedly ‘fixing’ it is less about making it correct and more about you trying desperately to prove how smart you are. Fuck off.

[@hopegallows1392]

So I had to read this book in HS and the teacher was trying to paint Chris as a tragic hero. The entire class disagreed, and one of the kids who hunted wrote a paper about just how stupid his discussions were.

[@Deadsea_1993]

I bet the teacher was a bleeding heart political moron that believes everything that they hear. They probably heard this story on TV and got all sad without knowing the facts

[@nolanolivier6791]

Love it! An entire class where the students are universally smarter than the teacher.

[@Bleepblop223]

I don’t know the story but it doesn’t sound like you know what a tragic hero is lol

[@Bleepblop223]

“Tragic hero” doesn’t refer to some nice guy who was great and it’s so sad that he died, its a specific literature term that is applied to characters with a specific story arch. It has literally nothing to do with how likable or unlikable the character is

[@vercingetorix3414]

@@Deadsea_1993 Just like you. "I bet." No facts.

[@mr.personhumanson6871]

_I'd drink my own piss, eat bugs, animal carcass, and even give myself an enema, but potatoes? Hell, no_ -Bear Grylls (probably)

[@bhatkat]

Yeah, well every single person who touches those things will die so you just might have something there.

[@evilpimp2475]

Please grow up

[@chelsea_Xxo]

The poor guy was so desperate to escape the pain of his upbringing that he went into this situation thinking it was nothing (compared to what he went through already)

[@Osiris3657]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I've always thought of him as dumb or naive. He basically winged this journey without first learning how to live off the land. Just thought he would figure it out as he went on.

[@DouglasUrantia]

Statistically speaking, 75% of all people who try this will die. Surviving in the wild is brutal.

[@Charmin77]

I felt the same. I had to read the book and do report on it for summer school. like 5 years ago an I thought he was so selfish. he came from a pretty good family and dropped everything and left without telling anyone.

[@newnamesameperson397]

No you aren't in the minority. Most people see him as dumb and naive. An amateur survivalist who underestimated the journey

[@newnamesameperson397]

@@DouglasUrantia I walked across the united states twice and down the Appalachian trail I call bullshit on your statistic that you pulled out your ass.

[@TimeStrider]

its the current year Don’t know if his stats are correct either but there is a HUGE difference between the Appalachian Trails and the Alaskan Interior.

[@OoiPaul]

Going into nature alone is a very bad idea. All it takes is a simple broken leg to possibly take your life. It is good precaution to let someone know your route and look for you if you don't return by a certain time.

[@tommybahama1872]

YOU COULDN'T SURVIVE IN A CITY PARK!

[@h91rex100]

@@tommybahama1872 even if thats the case, it doesnt undermine their point in the slightest

[@Tara-id3rk]

Sometimes going into nature alone is necessarily. I’m Alaskan and my husband hunts alone every year. On caribou hunts he drives 18 HOURS north to the arctic circle. He doesn’t always have reception, I would say he mostly doesn’t, but he does tell me his route, where he believes he will park his truck, and a timeframe of when he should be back. I’ve had many days of worry when he hasn’t returned on time and I DID have to send a boat after him once. He’s a very capable outdoorsman, but having someone know exactly where you are is so important. He usually carried a GPS decide that sends his coordinates every 10 minutes.

[@Itried20takennames]

I totally agree, but from the book Chris seemed to think the experience was only a worthwhile test of himself if the danger was real. The lack of precautions may be part of that, and not just stupidity or being a romantic dreamer. Not advocating this, but maybe part of the explanation.

[@mjvybz]

True

[@Redman8086]

I find it fascinating the hatred so many have for this guy. He was naïve and arrogant, no doubt. His death was no one's fault but his own, no doubt. But so many of the comments I've read here sound like they'd piss on the dude's grave with a smile. Despite his flaws, I kind of admire the guy for having a dream and just going for it. Don't we all have flaws? Don't we all occasionally take risks? Aren't we all naïve in our own ways? Weren't we all young at one time?

[@samrat447]

You are right. A lot of people sound like he wandered into their backyard and died and afterwards they had to clean up the mess😂😂😂.

[@kvglenn1]

People hate him because he wasted a moose he killed illegally, and he encouraged others to follow in his footsteps endangering themselves and the lives of Alaskan rescue workers. The guy was a spoiled brat who wanted to escape his responsibilities as a rich kid and did it in the stupidest possible way.

[@Nero_Karel]

Naïve he probably was, but I wouldn't say arrogant - the man took control of his own life as is anyone's right, accepted his fate when it had overwhelmed him and praised god until his last hour. That's a kind of humility most people hating on him never learn

[@christiansargent6053]

@@kvglenn1 he didn't encourage anyone, they encouraged themselves. He didn't publish the book and write in his journal "come kill your self here too". And do u seriously hate a random person just becasue he was inexperienced. And I'm not even gonna bother with your straw manning and bad interpretations

[@ttaj.]

Literally nobody is saying anything about him that isn't true: he was ignorant and sealed his own fate. He wasn't a child he was a fully grown man who was given multiple opportunities to turn back but his own hubris stood in the way. People with a true respect for nature don't view things through rose colored lenses, they recognize the fact that the wilderness doesn't give a damn about how young, charming, and easy-going you are. Your comment would only make sense if you were actually his ghost giving your last 2 cents before ascending to the afterlife.

[@randomdude239]

I’ve always thought of him as a delusional young man who bought into Disney’s depiction of nature. A mistake that cost him his life.

[@stanleyhape8427]

Nature does not suffer fools lightly.

[@Itried20takennames]

Actually the reverse. McCandles said to friends, family that he only thought an “adventure” into the wild (ocean kayaking, this trip) was meaningful if the risk of death or harm was real. That is why he went in without a map, more food, and a bunch of other stuff that would make it safer. He didn’t think “nature will care for me” - he went knowing it was a dangerous challenge. Agree or disagree, but listen to the Kraukauer book,which quotes McCandless’ own words, and he never thought nature was kind and loving.

[@destiny7496]

@@Itried20takennames exactly ! that’s what he wanted. he yearned the complexity of the journey. he wanted to go through these hardships and obstacles to prove to himself he could do it. he wanted to see how independent he could be.

[@geechyguy3441]

He really should’ve worked his way up to Alaska, he’d done some training in the southwest desert and Northern Cali woods? That’s nothing compared to Alaska, he should’ve atleast headed up to Oregon and then Washington and tried surviving out there before going so far into the tundra. It’s pretty fascinating how extreme Alaskan wilderness is

[@Stephaniepasqualino-de6qy]

Well, he ended up finding out, in the worst way possible, what most of us already know. No man is an island, and our connection to others really is what gives life meaning. And that dying alone in the woods is a terrible fate.

[@pattyk101]

I read an article in Newsweek magazine around the time this story first surfaced. The fellow that dropped McCandless off at Denali National Park actually gave him his own boots and jacket since McCandless' shoes and jacket weren't adequate. As he drove away, he said to himself, "That guy isn't gonna make it."

[@kekelaward]

Very nice guy.

[@sgtpep5]

Chris would have probably died long before he did if he hadn't found the bus. That was his instant shelter with a wood stove, bed...kept him out of the harsh elements. ...He was a kid with no survival skills.. I believe the he was a little out there to think he could come to Alaska in the middle of the winter and live off the land. A 10LB bag of rice was all the food he brought with him.

[@ufoexpert1223]

24 is not a kid

[@paulthurson]

@@ufoexpert1223 it's an adult yes but now at 56 looking back i was a kid much more than i was an adult at 24 .. which is the case for a great many 24 yr olds throughout history.. lots of growing up ahead of them .. sadly not for CM tho

[@paulthurson]

@L3giTxSniPE it IS a blessing .. i have never lost touch with my younger self .. there's a difference btw immaturity and youthfulness.. I'm an an aged 'young man'.. the blessing i do have now tho is experience which is very valuable.. anyway all the best to you young man.. enjoy the ride

[@sgtpep5]

@@ufoexpert1223 I was 60 when I wrote this comment.. My son is much older than 24 now and he's turned into a smart man.... my son still had a lot of learning to do at 24....so that's why I call Chris a kid.. I don't think Chris thought his journey through before heading out. I'll give him an A for his effort though.

[@heatherlynn4652]

@@ufoexpert1223 the frontal cortex of the human brain isn't fully developed until 25. That means poor decision making and impulse control. Basically you're still in the teenage phase of life until you're 25

[@2011americanman]

This story is no different then someone obsessed with ocean who can’t swim. Wasted life.

[@angelique_cs]

It was his to waste, though.

[@92bagder]

like the Grizzly Man, the dude who brought his girlfriend in Alaska to live among the Grizzly bears and then gets eaten by a bear.

[@blazin1397]

Random Runner or the mentally unstable, and naturally selected die young. life’s not pretty

[@noherekruger3738]

It's than, not then.

[@ellendolber2765]

@@angelique_cs God gave you life in a healthy body, he wasted his!

[@spacemonkey2829]

He had a book with him that had false information about the seeds being edible, safely. The book stated they were safe to eat, while further later studies proved that they are not. By the time he realized it, and wrote "fault of potato seeds", in his diary, it was too late. But that's where everything went real wrong, real fast. He relied on that book that contained incorrect information.

[@zakf2929]

No he messed up well and truly before that, from what I've looked into he was terrible at living off the land and navigating the wilderness, and often had to rely other people to help him. He didn't respect nature and let his own ego get the better of him and payed the price for it.

[@eyehaveallergies]

@@zakf2929he hunted and ate squirrels. I doubt you’ve done anything close.

[@bookishwriter9460]

He chose a very shitty area to survive of the land, though. There was barely growing anything.

[@01NATHAN10]

@@eyehaveallergies so heroic 😂

[@yabadabsdoooss]

@@01NATHAN10 tbh viewing him as heroic is a mistake in my book. He was a nomad, he tried to do what he could to survive. He wanted to escape from it all, but it all came to a tragic end. At least he died doing what he truly wanted to do. Even if it was stupid. Perhaps if such a wild youth were given a wise word, then he might've reconsidered or at the very least, study for what he was planning to do.

[@SharksSJ408]

Shoutout to everyone who had to read that book for AP English junior year

[@thenorthwillow1536]

Sameeee. Everyone who read that book in our class had a discussion. Basically everyone called him an idiot

[@Darkstalker212]

@@thenorthwillow1536 lol

[@Sienadiaries]

👋🏽

[@brooke8362]

Why did we all have to do that lmao

[@Anna-zp1ok]

Read it in regular lol

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Being an outdoorsman my entire life this just shows you the power of the great outdoors!! Even at the intelligence level of Chris he couldn’t survive given his vast knowledge in his very dangerous environment. I commend his outlook on life but ultimately I feel his ego is what killed him. May God Bless his family and friends.

[@hearsthewater]

I had to read Krakauer's book for one of my college classes. I posted on some of my social media about it, and one of my friends had actually worked for the Forestry Service (I think that was the agency) during this time and in this area. He said that he and a lot of his co-workers had zero respect for McCandles and had to work hard to combat the heroic portrait of the man and its lasting effects. They had come across several cabins that McCandles had stayed in during their rounds and he always left them in poor shape, not respecting the "code" that most outdoorsmen follow of replenishing the firewood and only taking what you need etc. His point was that this kid was an example of the kind of folks that had zero business doing what he did, and it is a wonder he hadn't died sooner. Harsh, I know, but romanticizing this kid and his actions only inspired more people to make the same kind of mistakes causing the need for more work for the rangers, and more rescues and more injuries and near-death experiences.

[@haroldbalzac6336]

"code" their more like guidelines, anyway.

[@albertawildcat3164]

I agree totally with you! I fished, hunted, guided, camped, worked and lived in the Rocky Mountains from the Montana border to the Arctic for 53 years (retired now) This kid is yet another example of a tenderfoot getting himself all wound up to 'go native' and live in the wild. I have hauled my fair share of these greenhorns out of the bush, cold, wet, lost, starving, scared to death and sick. Most of them have no clue as to what it takes to live in the bush and don't find out they're not up to it till they are in real trouble. So anyone tempted to try it should do themselves a favour and go out somewhere that you can get help when you need it but remote enough that there are no services nearby and try living 'off the land' for a month or so before you go off into real bush. if you can handle that, work up your bushcraft for a few years and/or get with some experienced trapper or guide and learn all you can from them, then you can try living in the bush...you just might survive. I did.

[@RLee-zs1ds]

Best advice I was ever heard of, if you are really stranded and/or hurt in the bush, find a small island and set light to it. Alternatively start a big fire, burn brush to generate as much smoke as possible. Someone will see the smoke or smell the smoke even from 50 miles away. Not environmentally friendly, but good advice if you are really stuck in most parts of Northern Canada.

[@ratscoot]

Alberta Wildcat I’ve read they recently removed the bus because it drew too many greenhorn “adventurers” who got in trouble and had to be rescued, a few even died while trying to find the bus.

[@albertawildcat3164]

@@ratscoot Yes, well, I'm sorry to hear of the fatalities... but not surprised. People who have been raised in urban environments simply do not have the mental or physical skill set needed to live in the bush. But, they have absolutely no lack of self confidence. Unfortunately as you say it gets a few of them killed. I'm glad to hear that they removed the bus, at least with the wreck gone it may discourage some from trying to find it.

[@cheshirecat1212]

The knowledge was there. He could have read a book. Hell, the movie even shows him reading a book to find out about the poisonous seeds- after he had already eaten them. He chose to be ignorant. His death was simple Darwinism. All of you who are commending his naivety and saying he was just a kid- guess what, most kids can read.

[@krdiaz8026]

But I LOOOVE Mother Nature! How can she NOT love me back? The universe will take care of me! After this, I will hitchhike across Iran depending only on the goodness of random strangers. Ah choo! Oh, let me sniff some lavender. There! See? Lavender is the cure all for everything!

[@eliaskarsbrink2702]

@@krdiaz8026 hahah what's wrong with Iran dude

[@MaxBlight]

Dude had his mind set on living into the wild but didn't bother to read about the wild.. wtf

[@eliaskarsbrink2702]

@Jackerson Roze Iran isn't at war, have some political tensions with the US and Isreal but if u hitchhike across Iran pretty sure you'll end up fine. It's a pretty safe country if ur a man, the reason why it's safe tho is a different story cos of the fucking authoritarian regime. That however is a different story. I mean hitchhiking comes with its own dangers but it's not like hitchhiking across Iran is super dangerous. Half Iranian trust me I know

[@krdiaz8026]

@John S. If you're a man, maybe, or a woman travelling with a man. Nothing against Iranians. I know that in every society there are good and bad people, but generally speaking, the more conservative Muslim societies tend to view an unaccompanied woman as a "free for all." Even in cosmopolitan Dubai, there are laws which make it illegal for a man to approach and talk to a woman he doesn't know, which is a weird law from a Western perspective. What if you only need to ask for directions? So yeah, while I have nothing against Iranians or Muslims, my comment is not completely based on lies. Even so, it didn't mean anything. I could have said "India" instead of "Iran" since India also is not a very safe place for solo women travelers. Or a ghetto in the US, or wherever.

[@jelyfisher]

I remember being an idealistic college youth and wanting to travel like he did. Luckily that book was required reading for a course I took on literature and the wilderness. It haunted me. I re-read it every year for a decade, even though I felt sick just looking at the book. I agree with others that his story is a cautionary tale, not one to be imitated.

[@9thangle]

Go into the wilderness uninformed and unprepared and this is the result. Nature is merciless.

[@bkjeong4302]

I have a feeling that his experience in the Sea of Cortez (where he survived just fine) has a lot to do with his overestimating himself in Alaska.

[@beautifuluproar]

That and his whole journey from leaving Atlanta up until he got to AK gave him a false sense of security. Had listened to Jim Gallien & taken him up on his offer to go to Anchorage for proper supplies, he'd probably be here today.

[@beautifuluproar]

@Stephanie Logan True! That's why it's important to talk with locals & take their advice seriously.

[@sofiagamez7007]

Wait he was in Sea of Cortez México? The movie didn't show up that he got there or don't recall but that he was in the canyon.

[@bkjeong4302]

@@sofiagamez7007 He went down the Colorado and traveled in the sea for a while.

[@kevinlee149]

That journey to the Sea of Cortez also showed how inept and unprepared he was. He got lost in the Colorado River delta then ran into some duck hunters who spoke English and were kind enough to transport McCandless and his canoe to the Gulf of California. He journeyed along the edge of the open water, ran out of food and was almost killed in a storm. He decided to head north again and was incarcerated by authorities at the border. He was saved by the knowledge/kindness/intervention of others and warm weather. Every warning against his Alaska idea was in the canoe journey but he was too arrogant to see it.

[@karnasingh860]

People idolizing this guy as some inspiration and forgets that he tried to comeback but didn't had the strength and died of starvation and some Poisoning he didn't died happy .

[@Friday_Night_Frights]

Ever since the year 2000, I've read "Into the Wild" at least once a year. His story is so interesting and tragic. That said, Chris McCandless was arrogant in his approach and ill-prepared to live off the grid like he wanted to. He repeatedly refused help and advice from many of those who tried to assist him on his way, obviously noticing that this young man was going about his plans (or lack thereof) with little to no preparation. Nevertheless, his spirit for adventure was admirable.

[@shahul8222]

Have you read it this year? 2020

[@Friday_Night_Frights]

@@shahul8222 Actually, no. But I plan on it soon. I've been homeschooling my 10 year old son this year due to COVID, so I've been pretty busy. What do you think of the book?

[@shahul8222]

@@Friday_Night_Frights i have never read the book :)

[@Friday_Night_Frights]

@@shahul8222 I highly recommend it, especially if you liked the movie. Pretty easy to find just about anywhere too.

[@elcesar999]

Friday. That is so nice of you keep on Reading

[@phoradio1277]

Interesting fact, Jon Krakauer was on the 1996 Mount Everest expedition that went so horribly wrong. That book "Into Thin Air" is a great read as well.

[@angelinasecatero7507]

Aaah. I thought the name John Krakauer sounded familiar. He went to Everest in 96.

[@phoradio1277]

@@angelinasecatero7507 He was actually the first to summit, more than likely saving his life. He was in Rob Hall's group. The movie based on his book is on KZbin I like it more than Everest.

[@sarc88]

Agreed - also "Under the Banner of Heaven". Big eye opener. Krakauer is a great writer, who chooses great stories.

[@yanksfan6833]

I liked that book even more than Into the Wild. Epic

[@dijin456]

The book is a great read..

[@baroneb5043]

Next month Im going to hike deep into the Yukon wearing a tank top & flip flops....

[@mrwdpkr5851]

Good luck ! Be sure to tell us how it went when you " get back " !

[@zzz7zzz9]

Make sure to do it in early june. The mozzys and shit aren't unrelenting at all.......honest.

[@scottvelez3154]

Just remember to eat every plant you see. Vegetables are good for you.

[@johannalange802]

Where shall we send your Darwin Award? Asking for a friend.

[@baroneb5043]

I was raised by wolves.... i am impervious to the elements...

[@patricktompkins5704]

I genuinely appreciate his story but let's be honest here the reason we still talk about him instead of chalking him up to "crazy hobo" is because his parents were rich. If a poor person does the same Sort of thing its vilified.

[@souptime8017]

Yeah but to be fair thats what makes the event all the more interesting. He was a privileged kid with his life safely paved for him, nothing could or was going wrong which is more than most can say yet he leaves behind a life of guaranteed comfort for the life of basically a traveling homeless man? That’s something you never see

[@jaykilborn2508]

It is not a question of being vilified. Alaska is the state with the most missing persons. Very few have movies made about them. McCandless was different because his parents were ricH.

[@rustyhowe3907]

Yup, even if this was the story of some poor homeless sod who eked out an existence in Alaska to get by because the suburban streets were meaner than grizzlies, then all the public would do is throw him into a prison cell for 'harming nature' for doing a bit of hunting and growing some potatoes on land he didn't own with a paper permit. Oh and say he was batty and dangerous cos he had a gun to hunt with.

[@alansach8437]

He has been vilified in certain circles, certainly in Alaska. He was foolish, childish and a coward for running away from his problems. We all have problems. Many of us have dysfunctional families. Dealing with it is true bravery, not running away from it.

[@adventurercastle971]

I cried when I watched the movie... "Happiness is only real, when shared". Quote hits me hard I start calling my relatives back then.

[@yoba1672]

I thought a prominent message from the movie was to demonstrate the consequences of family estrangements

[@metfan099]

I never found him to be heroic. He was naive, too wrapped up in idealism, nothing and no one could ground him back to Earth. And it ended up costing him everything.

[@africanhistory]

put his family through hell. From a good family and this is what he did to them.

[@mpreiss7780]

heroic? must of missed where he or anyone said that.

[@mpreiss7780]

@@africanhistory Well they obviously do not share your narrow view of things

[@henrycomputer1403]

Yes. Hal Holbrook gave him the deal of a lifetime. That girl wanted to have his kids

[@stanleyhape8427]

Prime example of what happens when you decide to hike thru Alaska forest by "winging it ".

[@thrdstooge]

I always find it fascinating how a story of a spoiled dolt starving to death in the forest, becomes a hipster saint yet we have homeless veterans dying in the same fashion, in well populated cities and never noticed.

[@christophermitchell1827]

Edwin Collazo you got that right.

[@gordongoodman8342]

I find it fascinating that folks who are deceived into killing for the gain of the wicked are regarded as heroes.

[@thrdstooge]

@@gordongoodman8342 that's because you are an idiot...

[@Luppino2121]

Gordon Goodman i would assume that you’re probably American, and you most likely would not be sitting wherever you are unless it were for the military to gain the territory. Our Military actually does a lot more than just kill innocent people 24/7 bro

[@boathemian7694]

Plenty of money being spent on homeless veterans. People need to stop becoming veterans. Only a fool doesn’t see where that career leads.

[@exi8550]

the thing i find most disturbing about his story is that krakauer fictionalized it so well that it was the only way people learned about the story.

[@kristenk6898]

No one ever thought his story was inspirational. The story is to remind us not to isolate ourselves because we need each other. You guys obviously did not pay attention in class.

[@wittybobby2131]

But nowadays, isolation is the best thing to do to survive corona virus.

[@traciebecker6669]

I read so many comments on various sites with people saying that Chris's story inspired them. I saw the movie and I read Carlene's book. I don't know if the word inspired would apply or not but I was glad to hear how this Family exposed the abuse that was going on McCandless family. Unfortunately in the movie the subject of why Chris (Alex) took off on his own, to be alone for awhile wasn't really told. Verbal, emotional or physical abuse changes a person, it can leave a person feeling like they have a great injury to their soul. Even a dog will go off on their own to lick their wounds, not implying that Chris was a dog in any sense of the word or meaning but he definitely was a wounded soul in need of healing. I don't think he ever intended on getting stuck in the wilds and starving.

[@coreydavis6427]

He was ahead of his time. Enjoying the great out doors is in style now.

[@cryptojonny6837]

There's ppl that suffer from anxiety and have fear of going into places and then. There's other types of ppl that enjoy going out alot and like to party everyone is different.

[@sarahlovesriceee]

i found his story deeply inspiring. i read the book maybe 3 times and watched the movie countless times. i resonated deeply with his feeling of separation and anger at all of the injustice in the world. the confusion and anger. i understood his desire to completely disconnect from everything. but his story is so important because the message is, nobody can ever survive alone. no matter how intelligent or motivated they are. we need each other, it is just about finding the right people and believing in them, and loving them. had i not read this story, i would not have understood that. and i may have wanted to simply run away too.

[@markrobertson6664]

“Never go with a hippie to a second location.” -Jack Donaghy

[@claressalucas8922]

Thank you for that sage advice! That's right up there with "The drummer is most likely to be infectious." -- Jenn Bryant

[@andrewmccall2421]

I don’t know that guy : but that statement was absolutely profound.

[@biggusdickus666]

Thank you for that '30 Rock' reference.

[@michaelratliff905]

"Stupid is as Stupid doe's" ...Forrest Gump

[@tehallanaz]

"Penis" - me

[@JohnDoe-xf8ew]

Whether Chris's story is unwavering bravery or foolish hubris depends on the viewer, but one thing is certain. We will always need others whether we like it or not, we simply can't make it alone.

[@bone9132]

I agree. To me, Chris's story is in the middle. But we will never know the reason behind his actions, his Sister filled us up a little with her book "the wild truth" . But only chris knew the true reasons behind his actions. I quess it will stay a mystery.

[@TheDryparn]

He pissed on everyone that ever loved him and pushed them away. The guy was a royal douchebag.

[@46chambersoflife]

I’m Alil worried not gunna lie of what John Doe said, I’m in a transitional situation where I’m having to go place to place trying to find myself by not on my own will. Just life being hard is all lol. But I know it won’t last but I’m not gunna go venture into the wilderness to do so, but I do agree we need each other. But for me I’m on my own. I don’t like to beg I’m to shy and an introverted to do so. Been homeless before so I got some resource skills. I’m searching on others skills and stories to survive. I know I’m good and gunna prevail but I really wish he didn’t leave civilization that far

[@AB-vt1pd]

Anybody else remember the grizzly man? Dude was from California as well and also ended up dying in Alaska. It’s always the people from California or Florida that be the ones I swear 😆

[@jonathantan2469]

None from New York?

[@theobsoleteman7935]

@@jonathantan2469 you mean down state aka NYC. Upstate is very rural mostly dairy farms,corn fields and forests.

[@kirkworthley378]

"Inspiration"? I respect his aims, ambition, discipline, etc. But the fact is, he's dead b/c he wasn't prepared. He was a pretty smart guy and experienced in the outdoors. I think his own arrogance got the better of him.

[@mattmroz2182]

"He was...experienced in the outdoors" That is completely not true. He went out there with a 10lb bag of rice (read from someone in the comments), 2 sandwiches and a pack of corn chips (wikipedia), minimal equipment, no map, and lack of hunting experience. He killed a moose but didn't know how to preserve the meat which lead to spoilage. I don't really know how you can say he was "experienced in the outdoors" and say "he's dead because he wasn't prepared". USUALLY if someone is experienced in the outdoors they know what supplies they need to bring with them to be successful in said outdoors. Maybe you can say he was a "smart guy" on paper but having a degree doesn't get you very far in the outdoors.

[@georgefreemon2935]

@@mattmroz2182 he wanted to live off the land for a little while m8 and was eventually going to go back but when he tried he was fucked from the melting of snow. Stop being a smart ass

[@nathanmcdonald1572]

@@georgefreemon2935 he wasn't fucked, there was literally a tram half a mile down the river but he refused a map so he had no idea it was there. He literally could've walked right out of there like any normal day He also could've lit a tree on fire to be seen by the nearby town, which was only half a day's hike away. But he didn't think of that either. He honestly was just an idiot I'm afraid...

[@nikkimcdonald4562]

@@georgefreemon2935 sounds like he was a idiot. But he did get the experience he was hoping for.

[@anthonyjh02]

The strange part is, had he survived and eventually return to civilization he'd never had achieved this level of attention.

[@LividCreature]

True but he journaled his adventure and the story got to an author postmortem.

[@___LC___]

What does attention matter if one is dead?

[@madrabiddog]

So what'd you do this winter? "I left a cushy upper class life and lived in a bus for a while."

[@thebluemorpho2962]

@@madrabiddog too soon man I recently watched this on Netflix

[@IvanLendl87]

That’s right he wouldn’t have. And he would’ve been better off.

[@liamsire]

Jon Krakauer. Not Jack. In case anyone wants to read "Into the Wild".

[@citeriorcf]

Into thin air is another great book from him.

[@pelikan1636]

liamsire Jack is a nickname for John or Jon.

[@citeriorcf]

Zoozooshi Crazy It’s not

[@shanehopke8966]

If only he brought 10 pounds of pemmican rather than 10 pounds of rice, he would have easily survived long enough until those hunters found him.

[@davemarshalljr]

Very few people have even a clue what pemmican is. And 10 pounds of pemmican will only last you about 20 days for a normal sedentary adult without any additional caloric intake. He lived there around 113 days. 1/2 lb pemmican = ~1,500 calories.

[@jermainerace4156]

10 lbs of pemmican would certainly have been a more useful supplement to his diet than the 10 lbs of rice that he brought. Above Dave M suggests 1lb pemmican = ~3000cal, compare that to 1 lb of rice = ~1650 calories and also there's not a lot besides energy even in brown or wild rice. Over the course of the 113 days that would have been an average of 145 extra calories a day from the pemmican, plus more micro-nutrients, complete protein, and necessary fats. Obviously pound for pound pemmican is way better than rice, and surely this choice would have improved his chances. Now, even if pemmican itself wasn't known to him: he was in Alaska, I'm sure the people there have a foodstuff that fills a similar niche and if had done a little more research or gone on a camping trip with other people from that area he might have had a better idea of what to bring. That being said I'm not sure we can completely denigrate his choice. He had a plan to secure proteins and fats and if it had succeeded, fats and proteins would not have been an issue as they were, so pemmican may have seemed redundant. So if meat was not an issue what other food to bring? Dried fruit is way better than rice in terms of nutrition and calories, but it is far more costly and if he was clever he could source that in the wild when it was in season and dry it himself, so it's not completely unreasonable to go without. Roots vegetables might seem like a good idea, they offer nutrition and can be stored underground in the right conditions, but they are mostly water weight and so not nearly as energy dense as you might hope. When you're packing everything in, calories per pound is a big deal. Dried vegetables might be gathered from the wild like dried fruit, but by nature supply very very few calories per pound which makes it difficult to justify bringing hem. That leaves high-carb stuff that supplies the energy needed to get through today when you just can't secure food. Obviously simple carbs aren't a long-term solution. They aren't supposed to be, they are just supposed to keep you moving and keep you warm long enough to get real food from your environment. So as a starch, rice has some big advantages over other starches: it is more easily prepared, less affected by moisture, and can be prepared with no other ingredients besides itself, unlike baked goods. Compared even to pemmican, rice is imminently simple to store and handle, has no fat in it to go rancid, doesn't attract vermin nearly as much, cannot be obtained in quantity in the wild, even during the best of times, and is far, far cheaper to buy. Rice has many of these same advantages over dried fruit/vegetables as well. Other starches might have served a similar purpose: pasta, barley, oats, hardtack, but rice is probably about the cheapest, easiest to store, and among the fastest to cook of these and none of these hold any particular nutritional advantage over it. Hard candy is a good addition for emergency energy especially when you can't afford the extra fuel to cook a meal or you can't get a fire going. Other things I can think of that are better and almost as cheap are peas and beans, but peas and beans take much longer to cook, which makes them costly in terms of fuel and therefore also calories. Still the extra protein and nutrients from peas and beans might be worth the extra effort. Personally I probably would have brought a fair amount of something like pemmican, and some dried fruit/veg to supplement my diet, give me a little variety, or at least get me through the rough patches, but the basis of my packed-in food reserves would probably have been bargain basement red "cargo" rice.

[@keisha717]

You made a LOT of good points. There are a lot of simple things he could have done differently that would have made the difference between life and death (which in his case was borderline suicide). He gave away his $25,000 life savings/college money, which he could have used to purchase some really nice camping equipment, survival gear, a real rifle, and to take a course in wilderness survival (or buy some books on the topic). Even the contestants on the TV show Alone had more survival supplies (10 items) than homeless drug addict loser Supertramp did. What kind of idiot goes deep into the Alaskan wilderness without even taking along bear spray, or a decent firearm for bear defense and/or hunting big game? I don't find anything about his lame-ass story to be inspiring.

[@danthefan28]

Max Brook's description of Into The Wild: Its about a guy who goes into the woods and dies.

[@mnight207]

Honestly, I think the guy was an idiot. It’s too bad he died. But he knew better. Plain and simple.

[@Sorcerers_Apprentice]

Sounded more like he had mental illness.

[@belad0nna]

He didn't know better, otherwise he might have lived. I think rather he was too stubborn to realize that he didn't know nearly enough about surviving in the wild, too stubborn (and perhaps too arrogant) to take the advice of people who did know better.

[@mnight207]

@Keith Christie you're right in a sense. Though had he lived and came out of it I still would have called him and idiot because he was I'll prepared. So, yes, he will remain an idiot.

[@belad0nna]

@Keith Christie there's a significant difference between failing and making mistakes, and not only being woefully unprepared but also refusing to listen to those who are trying to help you. He was an idiot. He read one book and thought he knew everything he needed to. He ignored people who gave him advice. He left cabins he stayed in worse than when he found them. He was a stupid arrogant kid, and that arrogance cost him his life.

[@belad0nna]

@Keith Christie guys always think they know everything, don't they? FWIW, I haven't read a sentence on Wikipedia about this guy, I do this crazy thing where I consult multiple sources. Insane, right!? Anyway, a lot of people who encountered him didn't think of him highly, and as it turns out for good reason. Nothing cowardly here, I'd just as easily say all this in public face-to-face as I do here. He was arrogant, and an idiot. And being stubborn got himself killed. He wanted to live in the wilds, nothing wrong with that! Lots of people do it! But they learned their business, and constantly learned their business. Nature is no joke, and anyone who knows how to survive in the wilds will be the first one to tell you that.

[@grapeshot]

Chris McaChandless= Murphy's Law+under estimating your environment.

[@Biggreasyhotdog]

Mca chandless in tha hiz-ouse

[@tat3941]

Wasted 90% of the Moose he illegally killed. Not impressed.

[@yabadabsdoooss]

True, he should've studied more and prepared more deeply for the wild instead of just winging it.

[@aleksanderkland6263]

Chris McCandles an explorer surviving on almost nothing for months in the wilderness, beating the cold and loneliness Cause of death: Potatoes

[@newnamesameperson397]

It was starvation

[@mikeeaston4431]

years caused by potatoes

[@charlespickering2726]

you can live for months on very little food but that is called slowly starving to death not surviving.

[@manddautoparts7055]

he did fine as long as the food he brought with him lasted AND it was spring when he got there so didnt really have to face really harsh weather AND was sheltered in a bus (while out there claiming to want get away from civilization) AND was within a few miles of a stocked cabin AND refused help or advice from people he met on the way AND didnt bother to learn about the area he was going to live (die actually) AND as a self proclaimed animal/nature lover killed a moose and subsequently let it rot without eating a bite........ even with pretty much everything going his way he still managed to let himself die. I dont see whats to be admired here

[@manddautoparts7055]

@Omar Pavone me? hmmm... actually I do a lot of wilderness camping for many days at a time and I understand his longing for a simpler life but he was just plain dumb. you cant just expect to just bail on all modern society to go live in the wilds with very little knowledge of whats out there, to do so is foolhardy and he paid for it.