Into The Wild Feedback page 2
Feedback and letters from the Into The Wild website
Recently I started to file the emails from people around
the world giving me feedback on the website. I really appreciate
your thoughts and comments.
Hi,
I’m really wondering how the magic bus ended up there?
Do you know the answer? We couldn’t find any information about it!
Thanks so much in advance
Kind Regards,
Tirza
I am inspirited by your website about chris mcandless, i am doing a
report about him for school
If you have any really good information about him. email me back
Thanks
Michael
Hi,
I saw this film last night and did not sleep well. All of today, I
cannot stop thinking about Christopher and his family.
I have been so touched by this film.
The pain that his mother went through, and the realisation and pain
of his dad too. I feel also for his poor sister who was so close to
him; how all this must be
affecting them now.
I too am a mother with a teenage son – he is 18 and was born on
August 19th 1992 (perhaps even the day Chrsitopher died?)
My son hopes to travel back packing around Australia. I pray that he
will come home safe.
The message in the film is beautiful but so sad.
Is the book going to be as painful and sad?
It is so true, forgiveness brings love, and love brings light.
Happiness should be shared- and I’m sure that he is doing that right
now.
My blessings to Christopher and his family. He was a true gift.
I will include them in my prayers.
Best wishes
Anne
hi adam saw your site on chrisi was wondring if your book is going
to have the detailsabout that chris did have a map and idenification
an money with him?i ask becouse i think the truth should be told
that he was not on a death wish.as so many people say that he was.
rather on a human discovery of what has been lost in humanityi feel
the book an movie that penn did changed the truth of someone who
would be veryangry that his story was changed for hollywood...i
think chris was a very inteligant man with a lot of talentand his
story is to save us from internal death. i wish you well in your
bookand look forward to reading it bryan poitano
I just wanted to say thank you for the website you have created
forChris Mccandless! I saw the movie and read the book and it has
reallytouched my heart. I am still trying to figure out my life and
themeaning and for some reason this whole story has just really
touchedmy heart. Thank you for everything. Brigid
Hello
When I thought I would iike to send an email it was with the family
in mind, but now I realise it's just to express how much I loved the
film . the song society has changed my life for the best forever.
thnaks maura
Dear sir
At first I’d like to say that I really like your website a lot! It
gave me much information about Christopher Johnson McCandless.
You might consider me as one of the many people who see a bit of
themselves in Chris’s life or story but I feel like there’s more
that attracts me to the stort of his life. That’s why I’m constantly
looking for things I don't know yet. I want to know more about who
he was, what music he listened to, what people he got in touch with,
how he felt about certain things, and so on.. I know this is almost
impossible to accomplish, but I will continue my search ‘for the
rest of my life’. What I’m trying to ask is, if you know anyway to
get the information I need? People I can get in touch with (that
knew Chris), books I should read, sites I should visit, ... I would
also like to offer a few pictures that I found of Chris, that aren’t
on your website yet. If you would like to have them, I wouldn’t mind
mailing them to you, so you can upload them If you feel like it.
I hope I don’t bother you with my request, but I just can’t let the
McCandless story go.
Thanks a lot in advance
Christophe
A true Chris McCandless admirer
Good morning,when I can buy the book and the DVD of Chris? I'd love
to see things from his point of view, I admire him very much; so
many people, including myself, would like to have the courage to do
the things he has done.For me Chris is a great man. I apologize for
my English...I hope that is not a problem. Thank you, good bye.
Marcella
Good evening,
First off, I'd like to start by saying that I am a huge Chris
McCandless fan. I would go as far as saying the man is the
equivalent to Buddha to me. And that your website is brilliant.
My reason for writing to you is that I have been aware of a new book
about Chris, "Back to the Wild", for some time now, but it seems it
is still not available to buy. Do you know when it will be released,
and will it be available in the Uk? The problem is, is that I intend
to cycle around Europe from February and would love to have this
book with my on the cycle, so I'm hoping it comes out prior to my
leaving so I can purchase a copy.
Have a good day,
Nation
Hi Adam,
I just wanted to thank you for doing such a great job with that
Chris McCandless website.
I live in France, and just like every person who watched the "into
the wild" movie, or read the book, the story of Chris just changed
my vision of life.
I discovered so many things I wanted to know about this passionating
story on your website, and I was so curious to see the real pictures
Chris took during his trip.
Thanks a lot for making me discover this story in a deeper and more
authentic way than the movie did.
Thanks for the work, I'm gonna let all my facebook contacts know
about your website, who, i hope, will appreciate as much as I did.
Take care, and thanks again.
Julien from France.
Hi! My name is Hakim Zaimi, I'am from Algeria and yesterday I saw
the movie: Into the wild, which tells the story of Christopher
McCandless and I have to say that I was really affected, this is
first time that a film makes me cry. This guy has given up
everything to fulfill his wildest dream, and to live wherever he
wanted and how that would. Finally he realized something very
important about happiness, but alas it was a price too high for my
taste but not for him, I am sure! I dream to be like him, I dream to
accomplish what he has done and I dream to feel what he felt at any
time, even the hardest but I know that I'll never. Finally, I saw on
the internet that history as told in the film has been criticized
and controversial. Me, I believe, I want to believe in this version
because it seems so magical and poetic, even if the end seems sad,
this is meaningful end and this is a very important message for
humans:
happiness only real when shared
REPOSE IN PEACE CHIRS.
Thank you for the website!
AVEC TOUT MON AMOUR POUR CE QUE VOUS FAITES, MERCI INFINIMENT!
Hello Adam, this email has no real importance. Only that I was truly
moved by this story, with mixed emotion. Inspiration, and hurt.
After reading the book, accounts, and seeing the film I feel like I
was part of his life, I feel I knew him. Purely for these reasons
alone I feel it is a one in a million story. I think it’s brilliant
how you are keeping his story alive, and forever let people realise
what a truly inspiring character Chris was. I only recently
discovered him as my birthdate was the year he was born, and I am
from England, UK.
Thanks for your time Adam.
Edward.
Dear Adam Thank-you for your lovely website -- you say you are not a
writer but as a professional writer myself can I tell you it's
superb, you write as if you speak. I hope you don't mind me writing
to you, and don't worry if you are too busy to reply but I wanted to
ask if it's normal for Chris's story to have a profound impact on
those who hear it? I only ask because my son (he's 18) bought the
DVD of the film and made us watch it last weekend. Since then I have
not been able to stop thinking about it, reading about Chris on the
internet and, sorry to say, crying. Crying and crying but hopefully
not in a bad way. I feel as if it's opened a deep well of something
inside me and I don't know what. In your opinion, is it because
Chris took on the ultimate test of himself and that's something so
many of us avoid? Or is it because he showed that, in the main, you
can live for long periods of time virtually without all the things
we are supposed to want, like money and possessions? I don't think
I'll ever hike the Stampede Trail (is that feeble?!) but reading
Chris's story has made me think more deeply than ever about my life
and what I might like to do with it. It's not the same, I know, but
I have signed up to the 43things (stuff to do before you go)
website, I suppose in partial tribute to Chris and will try and
achieve as much of them as possible. Reading his story, and your
website, has made me realise that I've spent too much time playing
safe and should take more risks and challenges. So thank-you to
Chris, whose legacy must surely be the inspiration he will give to
all who come to learn of him. And of course, thank-you to you, for
bringing such an affectionate, honest and rounded portrayal of Chris
to the wider world. With kindest regards and good luck with the new
book (it will sell and sell) Faith (British mum, 45)
HI Adam!
How are you?
My name is Stefan and im from Sweden . Im very touched by the story
of Chris McCandless and as soon as i´ve turned 18 and have become a
free man im going to hike the swedish mountains for some time to
come . Anyways , my question is : The piece och plywood that Chris
wrote on , does it exist today and is there any photos of it? If so
I would love you to send one!
Cheers From Sweden!!
Hi Adam,
Came across your website dedicated to Chris McCandless. I have been
a fan since I read the book a few years back and wanted to say good
work on the site- it has great information and pictures that I have
not seen anywhere before.
I also thought I might give you the link to a really great book I
have read about a man who built a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness
http://www.aloneinthewilderness.com/
He is quite Thoreau like in his approach and the book and
documentary that is based on it are worth watching.
Thanks again for the website.
Rachel
Hey Adam,
I came across your website when I was curious to see if it is
possible to read Chris McCandless's actual journal that he gave to
Wayne Westeberg. I absolutely love the movie and I decided to pick
up the book and Chris has made a huge impact on me as I can tell he
has with you. I just try to view life differently and wish I had the
courage to do some of the things he did, but maybe not necessarily
to the same extreme. So I was wondering if you knew if there is any
possibility that I can get a hold of his journal?
Thanks.
Hi Adam,
I think your web site dedicated to this young man is a great tribute
to him. I watched the movie shown on TV over here in the UK last
night and was moved enough to search for him on the web...I have
experienced living in remote locations here in Scotland and I
suppose when watching the film I felt there was some 'Empathy' with
his story...Thank you for keeping his spirit alive...My very best
wishes to you and your family for a very Happy Christmas and a
peaceful 2011..............
Kind regards,
Dave
Dear Adam,
My name is Rianne and I just watched the incredible movie
Into the Wild. Fascinated by the story and by Chris, I Googled his
name. I came across your website and I must say you did an amazing
job!
The thing that I really enjoyed about the movie is that it is not
just a movie like all the others. It shows the story of a man who
wants to experience life in it's true form. And I wish more people
would think like that. People tend to forget what life is really
about and they let their mind focus on mere material things and
money! All they care about is getting more and more and more money!
But what they should care about is how to make this amazing world a
better place for all of us, rich or poor or black or white! We are
all born innocent and we all have the same basic needs.
I have travelled a lot and I hope to see more of this beautiful
world as I grow older! Would like to come to America, never been
there. Because I just graduated from my University I am now looking
for cheap ways to travel, alone (maybe not, who knows) and with the
knowledge that you are never really alone.
God bless! And, who knows, maybe we will meet one day!
Met vriendelijke groet,
Rianne
Hey dude.my name is Philip Noone im 15 and from Dublin Ireland.ever
since I saw into the wild and found out the bus was still there I
have wanted to go there.Now I don't know if this is true but I heard
that starbucks were gonna buy the bus and turn it into a pit stop
for traveler's. I highly doubt that this is true but when I heard
this it worried me.if you could tell me if this is true,I would be
very greatfull. If you don't got the time I understand. Yours truly,
Philip
Dear Mr, Mrs,
I'm Mimi from Belgium and saw the movie on tv yesterday evening.
When I was 20 years old I travelled to Greece. Before I worked and
saved money for my travel.
After I came back money and possessions were not important to me
anymore.
It's courage from him that he followed his dream but he should had a
map. I did not had a map either.
Travelling on your own makes you more indepedant, adult.
You also meet people.
When we travelled through Norway for 3 months, more in the nature, I
felt the essential of my life. That I don't need anything.
Just like in Greece 20 years ago.
I also experienced that life after death exist. And I'm somebody who
is thinking "first see and then believe".
I know everything happens for a reason.
I hope his family know that love is more essential than money and
power. This is who we are.
That they learned something of what happened.
They can send their son and brother love and light.
Best regards,
Mimi
Hey there, I was reading your guide for doing the big hike and
especially the river crossing section. You have some really
important tips that weren't even detailed in the river crossing
safety video provided by the Denali rangers. I did the hike with a
friend in June of 2010, and we used that same rope that the Swiss
woman was tied to, and met the people who had set it up. There were
a few important details that I felt you should add to your article,
because I nearly lost my life when I was ignorant to these.
It didn't rain much when I was there, but on the particular day I
decided to cross, I could see rain clouds in the south. The river
flows north, so this caused a flash flood. When we had been to the
bus and got back to the river, about 6 or 7 hours, it had risen
nearly 1 foot. We had left our packs on the other side, so we would
basically freeze to death if we didn't cross the river that night.
Basically I ended up getting trapped in the middle of the river
hanging on the rope until the freezing water numbed my body, and I
floated powerlessly down the river. A guy from Poland happened to
have a camp set up some ways down and plucked me out, gave me food
and a fire and saved my life.
I feel like the weather conditions are a pretty important factor,
because the river level didn't really drop after that day either, so
I'm told by the article about the Swiss woman.
Also, it's never a good call to ditch your pack because you don't
want it to get wet, but I guess that's common backpacker knowledge.
And I'm pretty sure it did not help that I only weighed 140 pounds,
because later the next day a 200+ pound man crossed the river with
no issues.
Oh and look hard for a very very strong stick, or get one
beforehand, because there are not a lot of big trees out there. And
the river snapped my stick in half when I was in the middle of it,
which was not a good time. I also met someone who's metal hiker pole
had snapped from the river, could have been a user error though.
So basically I was hoping you could advise that people check the
weather, and don't set themselves up for failure, because it's not a
hike worth dieing for, like you said. Oh, and the mosquitoes are
beyond horrible. You can bathe in citronella, they will still follow
you for miles, get under all your clothes and eat you alive. I OCD
about bugs, so I spent every second of the hike killing any mosquito
that landed on me, and I came out with almost no bites. My buddy, on
the other hand, gave up early on the fight against the bugs, and her
head had about a quarter inch of swelling after our 3 day excursion.
In my opinion, I think my system worked better. Anyhoo, I've gone on
quite a tangent.
Thank you for making this quality site, I am sure it will save quite
a few souls in the future.
-Richard
Hello Adam,
I´m Ugleivisson from Brazil and I´m just thankful to found your
website about Chris, because I´m writting a graduate thesis about
the book and film adaptation "Into the wild" with an ecocritical
perspective.
I want to write about how nature can change a character - and in
this case, a real one - and you can imagine how important is to a
student find materials about what he wants to write about.
When I watched the movie in the first time I really was touched by
the story and the images and I realized that it would be the theme
from my thesis and my advisor totally suport me. So,I just want to
say to you that I really loved the website and I´m sure that it will
help me a lot.
Thank you for the fantastic work!!!
Best wishes,
Ugleivisson - a new friend from tho other side of the planet
(Brazil)
Hi there,
I am writing as I have been following with great interest the
progress of your efforts over the past few months to publish the
letters, diaries and photographs of Chris McCandless into one
volume. First of all, I would like to thank you greatly for your
efforts. I was very excited to hear that the book had finally been
completed, and was available to buy, subject to a waiting list.
I am currently writing an undergraduate history dissertation at the
University of Stirling, Scotland, generally on the American West,
but particularly, with McCandless as a starting point, a lens, if
you will, its allure for young men seeking adventure, solitude,
something greater than society and all its faults can provide. It
will also look at the connection of the actions of figures such as
Chris to that old American impulse, the belief that the West can
offer something much more fulfilling to the soul. Up until now, I
have relied on Jon Krakauer's accomplished book 'Into the Wild', and
thus have not been able to focus very heavily on McCandless, due to
a lack of access to the primary material. Hance my excitement at the
publishing of 'Back to Wild'.
As you can probably appreciate, I am working to a deadline of the
24th March. I have signed up to the waiting list, and was just
wondering how long you thought it would take to get a copy. I would
greatly appreciate it if I could get hold of a copy in time for my
March deadline, and I would be so thankful if some concessions could
be made to ensure that? I would be happy to send a copy of my
dissertation research proposal which outlines in more detail my
intentions, if that would be of help to you.
Thanks again for keeping Chris's memory alive,
Yours faithfully,
Abel
Stirling, Scotland
Hello Adam. I want to express you the gratitude for a site about
Chris McCandless which you have created. I want to wish you and your
family of all most the best and let all your undertakings come to an
end with success.
Ivan, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Hi,
Thank you very much for setting up this wonderful website, I like
the complete story of Chris including the book, the movie and of
course Eddie Vedders album "Into The Wild" very, very much.
By visiting your web site I learned a lot more about Chris and his
adventures and family, also I learned about the band Thirteen
senses, very nice music and, yes!!, 'Into The Fire' is a great song
and now because of your website connected to Alexander Supertramp
for ever.
Please, keep us all updated!
Thanks again
Jan
The Netherlands
person's , I was very excited to hear a new book was being released
by the McCandless family.
The first time I saw the movie I was so moved. You see Chris's life
and mine were Shockley similar. I too lived in an old city bus
parked out in the country. though it wasn't isolated like Chris's
bus , it too was still a hard life. living on Mac& cheese, no
plumbing , no water etc.
My reason's for leaving home "15 years old" were similar too,
"abusive parents". not only to me but to themselves.
I'm emailing you in hopes of finding out when the book will be
released and where I could find a copy of the complete diary he
wrote while on the road.
I have spent hours online researching his life but found very
little, only what Hollywood wanted you to know. I have the book
"Into the wild ", the movie, and Ron Lamothe's film "the Call of the
wild"
I am really looking forward to getting the truth and the facts.
thank you ,Ron Griswold perry,NY
P.S. does the McCandless family offer a email address? thanks again
,ron
Hi Adam,
just finishing reading the great page you have on facebook about
Christopher. I feel his story
has touched me much like yourself. what an amazing job you have done
of keeping the memory.
In July, i have 5 weeks off leave at work, and im heading to the usa.
im 32, but have never
made it there yet. i cannot wait. im catching up with long lost
friends, and just enjoying the freedom. my highlight
of this trip is im going to make the journey to the bus, i want see
to see the beauty Christopher saw. The info
on your webite regarding how to get their is much appreciated.
i have no idea if you live in Alaska etc sorry, but i just wanted to
add id be honoured to shout a beer or 2 for your efforts.
Stephen
Townsville, North queensland, Australia
Hello! My name is Kendyl and i just had a little question. I had
been looking for pictures of things Chris had written since this
sunday, january 30th, im getting a tattoo of some of the things he
had written that really inspired me, and changed my life. I saw a
picture on your site of a post card he had written. I was going to
copy and print it to give to my tattoo artist as a reference for the
handwritting but copy this picture is blocked on the site. I was
wondering if theres any way i can get a picture of his handwritting?
I only want to use it as a point of referance for my tattoo. I have
nothing but the upmost respect for chris and the possesions he left
behind.
Thanks for any help you can give!
-Kendyl
Gday Adam, My name is Danny and i am an Australian and have been
interested in doing the hike from Healy to the “Magic bus” for some
time now. I am an experienced hiker and have done many hikes
overseas and in Australia. I am a very accomplished and experienced
outdoorsman that is always looking for the next big challenge. Ever
since i saw the movie into the wild i have been interested in
travelling to Alaska and completing the bus hike to not only
experience the beauty that is Alaska, but to also pay homage to
Chris himself. I saw him as a bold and determined person with very
strong beliefs and ideas, and i think we could all learn a lot from
his short but full life experiences. I am wondering if you would be
able to send me any information that would help me in being as
totally prepared for the extreme conditions that i would be facing
in Alaska. In particular what would be the best time of the year
there to give me the best chance of getting in and out of that area
as safely as possible. Any other info wowould also be greatly
appreciated. Many thanks in advance Danny.
Danny
Victoria
Australia
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