Chris McCandless

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A replica of Bus 142, used in the film

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Chris McCandless (February 12, 1968 – c. August 1992), born Christopher Johnson McCandless, was an American hiker and itinerant traveler who became widely known after his death near the Denali National Park in Alaska, USA. His life and travels inspired Jon Krakauer's 1996 book Into the Wild, which was later adapted into a film of the same name directed by Sean Penn in 2007. McCandless's story has sparked discussions and debates on the allure of wilderness and the extreme risks of venturing into nature unprepared.

Early Life

Chris McCandless was born in El Segundo, California, to Walt and Billie McCandless. He grew up in suburban Annandale, Virginia. After graduating from high school, McCandless attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he excelled academically. In 1990, after graduating with honors, he donated his college fund of $24,000 to OXFAM and began a cross-country journey in the United States, abandoning his car after it was damaged by a flash flood.

Journey

McCandless's journey took him through various states, including South Dakota, where he worked for a time in a grain elevator, and Nevada, where he abandoned his car. He adopted the name "Alexander Supertramp" and kept a journal of his travels. McCandless's journey was characterized by a desire to live simply and become one with nature, inspired by the works of Henry David Thoreau and Jack London.

In April 1992, McCandless hitchhiked to Alaska with the intention of living off the land. He was last seen alive by Jim Gallien, a truck driver who gave him a ride to the head of the Stampede Trail. Gallien was concerned about McCandless's lack of preparation and offered him food and gear, which McCandless declined.

Death and Legacy

McCandless's decomposed body was found by a group of hunters in September 1992 in an abandoned bus, known as Bus 142, which he had used as a shelter. The cause of death was determined to be starvation. McCandless's story became a subject of interest, leading to Jon Krakauer's article in Outside magazine, which later expanded into the book Into the Wild. His life has been interpreted in various ways, with some viewing him as a heroic figure in pursuit of freedom, while others criticize his unpreparedness and the risk he posed to himself.

In Popular Culture

The book Into the Wild and its film adaptation have significantly contributed to McCandless's legacy, introducing his story to a wider audience. The bus where McCandless died became a controversial tourist attraction, leading to numerous rescue operations for stranded hikers. In 2020, due to safety concerns, the bus was removed from the Stampede Trail and relocated to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for preservation.

Criticism and Controversy

McCandless's story is not without criticism. Some Alaskans and survival experts argue that his lack of preparation and understanding of the wilderness were irresponsible and that his story romanticizes unprepared wilderness exploration. Others defend McCandless's quest for freedom and adventure, seeing his journey as a personal pilgrimage.