Chris Mccandless Journey In Into The Wild By Jon Krakauer

Many people thought McCandless' unplanned journey in the wild was a suicidal attempt and that McCandless was suicidal. I don’t think this was the case, I think he went into the wild to explore and clear his head from finding out about his fathers passing. I believe he didn’t want to die, however he knew he would, especially since he was starving and there was a note saying he needed help laying right next to him. Krakauer also had father issues like McCandless and wanted to climb mountains as well, one of them being Devil's Thumb. It sounds like it would be a very dangerous hike to get to the top, just based on the name. Krakauer was definitely so interested in McCandless' story because it was just like his own, they both had daddy issues,

The author writes in one of the epitaphs, "The solitude and total freedom of the wilderness created a perfect setting for either melancholy or exultation." This shows the wilderness causes raw emotions of sadness and happiness. I believe Chris was looking for happiness on his journey to Alaska. That Alaska was the answer to Chris's situation because he was able to meet so many people along the way and explore nature in ways many won't be able to. I believe by making it to Alaska like Chris wanted, he was a happy person, even though he ended up dead. McCandless left Carthage, South Dakota on April 15, 1992. The truck driver that gave him a ride to Alaska Highway dropped him off and Chris’ journey to Alaska began; he had 1,523 miles to get to Fairbanks. He stopped at a campground on the Liard River with natural thermal pools. He met a guy named Gaylord Stuckey, who would later give him a ride to Fairbanks. At first he was only going to drive Chris half way, but since Gaylord liked his company so much he took Chris the whole way. That was such a nice offer by Gaylord for a guy he just meant, they really must have grown close. Chris told Gaylord about his sister and how his parents weren’t the best. At least he was telling someone about his family and his parents. McCandless was candid with Stuckey about his intent to spend the summer alone in the bush, living off the land. He said it was something he'd wanted to do since he was little," says Stuckey. He said he didn't want to see a single person, no airplanes, no sign of civilization. He wanted to prove to himself that he could make it on his own, without anybody else's help." Krakauer stated that he was happy. It was cool how McCandless wanted to prove he could make it on his own, but I still feel like he should have told his family where he was going. Stucky