Krakauer was absolutely correct in stating that Chris McCandless was not crazy for thinking he could survive the Alaskan wilderness, but he did seem rather arrogant for trying. Chris was a determined man, but determination can only get you so far before you start ignoring reason. It’s hard to tell what exactly Chris McCandless was thinking by going into the Alaskan wilderness unprepared. In some view he may be seen as arrogant going alone, which can be assumed by Chris packing a light bag, and lacking the experience to survive. “He had no ax, no bug dope, no snowshoes, no compass” (pg.5). On the other hand, Chris had an excessive amount of determination, maybe too much for his own good. “Gallien thought the hitchhiker’s scheme was foolhardy and tried repeatedly to dissuade him… He had an answer for everything I threw at him” (pg.6). Although Chris knew what he packed a shortage of supplies, he reasoned with believing that surviving the wilderness was solely based on determination. this is where most people would assume Chris to have pure arrogance in wilderness survival, and might’ve wanted him dead to show …show more content…
What did Chris hope to gain by isolating himself out into Alaska? Perhaps the best evidence is contained in the beginning of every chapter, a quote from authors that Chris was influenced by. These books made a huge impact on Chris’ life before and after he left home, with quotes describing the beauty of the wilderness, happiness of man, and the impurities of society. It’s no surprise that Chris would leave his normal life for one that’s adventurous, free from the negative impacts of society, and set in the vast, mysterious wilderness so heavily romanticized in his books. “It was the masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life. It was the wild, the savage, frozen-hearted Northland Wild”