The urge to leave modern society behind is something we’ve probably all felt at some point or other. However, very few have had the confidence to actually do it. One man by the name of Chris McCandless did take that leap and ended up becoming one of the most well known nomads in the U.S., although his story had a tragic end and serves as a warning to those who may wish to follow in his footsteps.
In 1990, McCandless, who was 22 at the time, decided to leave behind his life of relative comfort and stability in order to pursue his dream of living a nomadic lifestyle. He had just graduated from Emory University that year and looked set to lead a successful and relatively normal life. But the truth was that simply wasn’t for him.
Chris McCandless and his travels
Initially McCandless set out in his Datsun. The car repeatedly broke down as he made his way west towards California, he was also driving with no insurance and expired license plates. Eventually a flash flood disabled the car, leading him to abandon it according to a website dedicated to McCandless.
From there he hitchhiked north-west, staying in hermit camps, he is suspected of occasionally stealing food from nearby cabins when supplies ran low. He took manual labor jobs here and there as he continued his travels across the country. He bought a canoe and navigated the Colorado river all the way down into Mexico. Upon reentry to the U.S. he was arrested but quickly let go.
Alaska and Fairbanks bus 142
After returning to the U.S., McCandless made his way to Alaska. He trekked deep into the wilderness where he found an abandoned bus which he ultimately decided to set up camp in. Entries in McCandless’ journal indicate that he foraged plants and hunted small game such as porcupine and squirrels.
Over time, his journal entries became more concerning. The entry on day 107 simply reads, “BEAUTIFUL BLUE BERRIES,” and then the next five days contained nothing but a slash, indicating he may have still been alive on those days but had nothing to say. Day 113 had no entry at all. On September 6, 1992, his body was discovered by a hunter.
Hiking solo is always a huge risk. There are multiple theories as to his cause of death ranging from starvation to poison from a plant that grew nearby that he may have tried to eat. McCandless’ story was adapted into a film directed by Sean Penn called Into the Wild, which depicts the death as accidental poisoning from eating the wrong plant.
Whatever the case, McCandless’ story has gone on to inspire in some ways and terrify in others. Unfortunately he simply wasn’t prepared for the harsh conditions he was walking into and it ended up costing him his life.
