Into The Wild Feedback
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,
My name is Amalia, I am 16 years old and I am from Sweden. In my
class we have just watched the movie "Into the wild", and we have
worked a lot with it. We have also worked a lot with your website
www.christophermccandless.info .
I just want to tell you that I am very impressed of you. Both for
the hike to the bus and for your work with the website. The website
has helped me understand better how Christopher was, how the hike
could be and so on. I loved the photos in the photo gallery! It was
also very interesting to read about your hike and your advice to
people who wants to do the hike. I don't think ever will do it, you
know I live in Sweden and I am not very pushed to sleep outdoors and
things like that.
You seem to be a very active and cool person, and that makes me very
impressed.
Best wishes, Amalia!
Hey!
I was so ecstatic when I came across your site.
My name is Ryan and I am 22 years old. I read, and watched Into the
Wild over a year ago now, and have been thrilled ever since. I used
to live in Philadelphia and recently moved to Boston to live with my
gilrfriend, we have started a photography business and have always
wanted to travel. I would love to be able to somehow get in touch
with Carine or Chris's parents and chat with them about his
journeys. I know that I'm sure hundreds of other people have wanted
to do this as well, but I would love it so much if I could. I really
do take his journey so seriously and see him as a true hero,
abandoning everything to go out and really pursue his dream. I would
love to hear back from you, if you have any inspirational words
about traveling, Chris himself, his family, anything at all.
Thank you so much and I really hope to hear back soon.
Hello, I am a student from a school in France and me and two others
friends are working on "Into the wild". That includes to make
researches about the real story of Christopher McCandless but also
about the movie and the book. So I am asking you if you could help
us to know where we could find a copy of Christopher's diaries ou
even photos of it. Please answer me, we will be really grateful to
help us to obtain a good grade for our High school diploma. :)
Hello maker of the Christopher McCandless site
My name is Dante and i am 16 years old.
I live in Sweden.
I have been working with your'e site during my english lesson
project about the movie ''Into The Wild''
I would like to say a few words about the work you put down into
this site and the fantastic outcome.
This site is so great. Because after seeing the movie or reading the
book you have alot of questions you want anwsered.
And this website anwsers everything. It also shows new things and
makes you think differently about Chris' life.
Huge credits to you man, the trail guide makes me really eager to go
there sometime.
I have always been very fond about the wild, since I live on the
countryside.
I will recommend you and you're site to everyone who has seen the
movie.
I think they should put you and your'e site in the sidescrollers
after the movie or on the back of the book covers.
Live well
Best regards, Dante
Hi there! I just wanted to tell you what I've think about you'r
website. In english class in my school we watched the movie Into The
Wild and now for a couples of week we have worked with some
questions about the movie. My teacher maked some questions out from
the movie were you could find the answers on you'r web site. This
work have worked out well because the good information you have put
up on you'r website. The information is very good I think, and it's
not hard to understand you'r writing in the text. You are using a
good language. Sure there are some spellmisstakes but's that all. If
you compare you'r information about Christopher McCandless and the
information you get about Chris McCandless in the movie there are no
bigger difference. There are one thing that is better with you'r
website and that is that you've got little more information about
his family, little more background information about Chris. And you
write in a easy understanding way. And the information you have
wrote at the website is truth, no fake fact. And you have also
formed the website in a good way. It is a good website for they who
want's to know a little bit more about Chris, the writer, and you
also get some experience from you that is little like Chris goal
with life.
Hi, in your website, under the movie section of Into the Wild, it
says that the actor who played Chris was actually wearing the same
watch that Chris had given to Jim Gallien just before he went down
Stampede Trail. I was wondering if you had any detail about what
kind of watch it was. Thank You.
Kenyon
THANK YOU FOR SETTING THIS SITE UP.
Good call my friend.......
Matt
Hell o my name is Jessica Thomas I was just on the Chris forum page
and they were saying that the magic bus is being removed. i was
wondering if this is accurate??
let me know, thanks.
Jessica
Good job on the website. Read Into The Wild years ago. Watched the
movie, listened to the soundtrack. A story that has affected my life
and one I couldn't shake off if I tried. Thanks for the effort.
Cheers,
Jeffery
Hi,
I just watched the movie for the first time last night. I've had the
dvd for several months and for some reason just didn't want to watch
it. I think the timing was perfect.
I am very moved by what Chris did and believe that he died a happy
man, with a great deal of understanding. I understand why he did
what he did. I did something similar, although not so dangerous, at
least I wasn't in the wilds of the Alaskan wilderness! But I grew up
in a very dysfunctional home with a lot of alcohol and drug abuse
and a lot of money and I felt as he did about the material world and
society for a long time.
I left my family and went to India and different places without
seeing them for quite some time, years. I wanted nothing to do with
them because I had been hurt. I wanted to get free of the
attachments that I felt were killing my spirit. So, I did what I did
and I also found peace and understanding; am still in the process of
growing, trying new things. In the last year I have begun to
understand how important relationships are, that God speaks to me
not just in silence, alone, but also through others. I'm grateful
for this.
Just wanted to share it w/you and I really love the website you've
made and reading about you. Good luck to you and thanks again.
Oh! I also believe in reincarnation -- if it is true, if Chris comes
back, I'm sure he'll have a great life. He may be back already. Who
knows???
Kind regards,
Terry in Texas
hi there my name is kyle,
im from toronto looking to go to the magic bus. but im a little
concerned, cause i believe that i might be going by myself. do you
think that is a bad idea?
How I started out reading a story about the "eco-terrorist" that
took over the Discovery Channel in the US to finding a link about a
young man (Christopher McCandless) that gave up everything to go on
an adventure is amazing to me.
I just wanted to tell you what a beautiful tribute you set up for
Christopher McCandless. Low key, factual, and from the heart.
I also enjoyed your personal history, that you shared. The bit about
being in a job with everyone complaining, but too scared to make a
move, really hit home. Hopefully, I will play the part of you and
get out.
Rolf
Hi, my name is Lorenzo Pianosi and I'm writing you from Italy,
Pesaro (center - east) to be more precise.
First of all I'd like to thank you for your great work on the site
about Christopher, it's really well done with a lot of informations
and pictures.
I'm 33 years old, and I went through Chris' story first by the movie
some months ago. I was shocked. From that time this great story
rolls in my mind and to be honest it's still like a really
obsession. I can't take my mind out of this. I think for you has
been the same. I read a lot about him through your site, the
memorial one, wikipedia, Krakauer's book and I noticed that you're
going out with a new book "Back to the wild" soon. Can you confirm
about it? If so, are you thinking about an Italian version of it?
I'm telling you this becouse, of course, Chris' story is followed
all around the world, Italy included. If you are thinking of this
version, I could, for free of course, treat the translation in our
language. I'm not a professionist and of course my english is not
perfect, but I think that my heart and I could do a very good job.
I'm not looking for money, I just think that this kind of work will
let me be closer to Chris, maybe it's just my nonsense....
Please apologize me for losing your time, take my proposal as
serious, and if it'll turn in no deal, I'll have my personal English
copy of the book.
Take care, I wish you all the best and to ready to pay the price to
make your dreams come true.
Lorenzo
Hey,
Hope you are fine wherever you are and enjoying your pleasant life
with your family.
I recently watch the movie "Into the wild".After watching the
movie,i just want to explore something more about Chris,so i Google
it and fortunately i found your website,especially dedicated to
Christopher.
Thanks from the depth of my heart for your extraordinary work and i
too have decided if Allah wills to visit the bus in which the Alex
died.
Kind regards,
Mohammad Rizwan
Hi my name is Paul, Im not planning to do what Chris did, I have
done lots of research to help me survive my wilderness trip, its not
gonna be exactly what Chris did but similar and for different
reason, also I dont think Ill be lucky enough to find a bus but it
would be great if I did. Anyways, I think its really cool that you
made a website for him and I wanted to know if you had any advice
for me, or If you know anymore of the story that was not put in the
movie? The main thing Im worried about is the bear attacks that I
might encounter. If you have any advie for me please let me know.
Thank you
Paul
Hey
I am a bachelors student from India, watched Into the wild for the
first time yesterday. I am speechless after seeing the movie and
went through your website. You have done a great job compiling
everything. It has given me a new way of thinking and taking things.
My heart goes out for Chris.
May he his soul rest in peace.
Siddharth
Its been great to meet with a person, who is faimlliar with chirs,
i'm in love with him since long days.. i want to know what sort of
books he love to read, can u please tell me?
Greetings ......
My name is Ricardo, I am from Mexico, your site is great, has very
interesting information about Chris. Since I knew the story of Chris
Mccandles I tried to get all sorts of information about him, I have
the DVD the book in Spanish and English, but had never seen real
pictures of real chris, Thanks for your information, I would also
like to find the article that Jon Krakauer wrote about him if you
get it share it.
If you one day visit the magic bus share the photos and videos, I
hope to go someday.
Thanks for the site.
Atte. Ricardo
Hello,
I just wanted to thank you for putting this website together. I read
Into the Wild over 13 years ago and it profoundly changed my life. I
really wanted to share my story with Christopher McCandless' family.
By any chance, do you have an address for his family? I want to let
them know that his story inspired me, gave me hope, and saved me
from the worst moments in my life.
Thank you,
Phyllis
hi theremy name is Adam, i live in azi have been searching around
online for chris's original journal entries, but i cant find
anything!i was wondering if you know where i can find the journal,
if its been published at all>?thanks a lotadam singer
Hi there!im just wondering if the journal that Christopher wrote in
was everreleased and if so where could I find it?Thanks
Have you ever been to the142 bus, if you have what was it like? what
did it feel like?
thank you
Hi there, My wife and I were at the bus on June 18, 2010. It was an
incredible experience and wanted to say we really appreciate your
website. David & Kelley
I recently watched the movie Into the Wild and got inspired and
obsessed with the story…. I just cannot get over this excitement….I
have not done anything from the day I saw the movie up to now, but
searching for the details of the real Christopher Maccandless…..
Like you, I too was given a new sense of being by this story….
I just want to say hello to you……..Christopher is no more with us.
But, it is great to know that there are people who admire him and
make great efforts to keep his story alive…….
Thanks a lot!!! I have been reading everything on the site since
today morning. I fell fulfilled for the day. I am going to order the
book. Here in my country this book is not available.
You have done a great job.
Do you mind my asking of if you are an American?
Nadie
Sri Lanka.
The blog is excellent, I find it very interesting the story of chris
Hi there,
I m writing this with heart felt regrets to Christopher McCandless
end. It certainly made me to narrate a few words after watching the
movie and I googled to know the real life of Christopher McCandless
and found this site with his history and am one like you who had
been inspired by his true story.
I greatly appreciate for developing such a website in remembrance of
Christopher McCandless and to me n for all he had left a message
with his living in the wild that one can make his dream come alive
and be possible even the impossible that most of us think off.
Let his soul rest in peace.
Thanks & Regards
RAJ
Hello,
I read yesterday that Rush Limbaugh said that they should do away
with school lunches and if poor children were hungry enough they
should go to McDonalds and go through the dumpsters for "leftovers".
Then I read what some of the people(Alaskans, mostly)said about
Chris. Listen, most of us don't have the guts to follow our dreams,
to take chances or put it all on the line. Heroes are just like us.
The only difference is that they do things while the rest of us just
talk.
Thanks, Chris, for filling the unforgiving minute that was your life
with 60 seconds of distance run.
Thanks,
Brian
Dear Felllow Pilgrim:
Thankyou for making the info on the website available.
This family has just lost a member who was brutally murdered on
22,July, 2009 while camping in a lovely wooded area in Ocoee, FL.
He, like Chris wanted to live a little differently than the "norm"
of the society.
We miss him greatly.
Joel D. Boner was 30 years old at the time of his murder.
Thankyou again and remember Jesus Christ is life and truth.
Paul
HI Adam,
I have a 1996 verson of "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer, and there
is only one small picture of Chris, black and white, on the second
page, the rest is all text. There are a few pencil maps.
I have contacted several book stores regarding other versions of
Krakauer book, and none of them have any with the pictures I seen.
Either it was a short print, limited edition or a book about Chris
from another author.
I will keep looking for it, and will keep an eye open for the new
book.
Thanks,
Eric
Hello, I'm a german girl and want to write a work about Into the
wild (the book, the movie and the real story of Christopher
McCandless). I think your website is very interesting and I wanted
to ask youyou were so kind to tell me some links or books where
you've got your information from?! Thank you very much :)tanja
Hi, I am one of the people who is inspired by Chris Mccandless.I am
from Taiwan where is in Asia.And I also have a family already
butstill have so many things and dreams inside my mind.I just want
to say THANK YOU for making this website for all the people like
me.I am so curious of him and your website gave me a very good
memory ofhim because it has the most details of him and
pictures.Thank you so much to let us have a place to memorize him.
By the way, your boy is very cute! Rose ,Taiwan,Asia
hello my name is alex im in tenth grade and i wanted to do what
Christopher McCandless did for as long as i can remember.im talking
to my school and a CTC program to get me to alaska,i was thinking
maybe fish and wildlife surv.i would love it if you could maybe talk
to someone or yourself write me back and see what we could do to get
me out of the lower 48. im sorry that i asked alot right there but i
want to explore more then my own backyard there is more out there in
my eyes that i could paint if i seen but i havent got that far yet
thank you for reading this
Alex "j.k.livin j is for just k is for keep" matthew
I just watched Into the Wild and it brought back the memories of
first seeing the
story of Christopher McCandless in the News Miner and subsequently
reading
the book.
Immediately after watching any movie based on a true story I
habitually search
the internet to see how accurate they were and am most often
disappointed that
the story teller felt the facts weren't good enough to leave alone.
During my internet search I happened upon your excellent site and of
all the various
pages I searched out and read two stood out as must see sites for
anyone really
wanting to find out more about Chris, who he was, and what actually
happened.
One more site you may want to link to is the very compelling one put
together
by the maker of the (other than the unfortunate naming) very well
done done
documentary, The Call of the Wild.
Here's a link for one of the best reads on the site.
Thanks again for the great job and service to any of us caught up in
the
interest of Chris McCandless life and death.
Pete
My 18 year old son has been completely infatuated with Christopher
McCandless ever since he
Saw the movie when it came out.
All he has planned for his future is follow in his footsteps.
Being a mother who obviously sympathized with Chris’s family am
looking for resources
To deter my soon on his quest as I so do not want to experience what
Chris’s family
Experienced after he left.
Is there anywhere I could obtain information on Chris’s final
writings that might show
Some regrets or what he wished he had done differently?
Hi, I just watched "Into The Wild" today and decided to do a little
internet research on Chris McCandless. I came across your website
and after clicking thru all the pages, was quite impressed with how
touched you were by his story and the work you put into the site.
Just wanted to say thank you! All the best, ~~Vanessa
Hi.
I'm so glad to see you made this site for Chris. I don't know how it
all passed me by in these years, but I only found out about him a
few weeks ago, when the movie was on TV. I went out and rented the
DVD to watch it again, I was so taken by him, by it all. Then I read
the book, in the past 2 days by Jon Krakauer. I couldn't put it down
& sobbed at the end when his parents went to the bus, walked all
around, and Billie found a pair of his jeans, a spoon from her own
set in Annandale, wriitngs & other things. I was so glad they found
some peace in going there, knowing how painful this was for them. I
can't begin to know that pain nor would I ever want to. I can only
say, their son has done something for so many, it wall wasn't in
vain. His story has deeply impacted me, but that would take too long
to explain.
I wondered if you can help me, so I can send the family a card. I
want to send them a really beautiful card, tell them how much Chris
means to me, a virtual stranger out here, and to thank them, because
he really did something powerful for me, and, so many, as I said. I
can't find a complete address, though I did find a Sam McCandless in
Anandale, VA, no street address & I found a Billie McCandless in
Arizona. The ages would seem right. No mention of Walt anywhere, so
I did wonder if he died. Is there any way, on the internet or via an
address, you help me that I can send them a card? This is something
I really want to do, though I realize, they must have been swamped
with mail. I'm just so moved by Chris.
Thank you for any help.
Diana
Dear Sir, I wanted to thank you for the point of view you shared in
your website about the movie "Into the Wild" and its rather
heartbreaking hero. I guess the wilderness can mean different things
to different people, and you hope to somehow conquer yours rather
than get lost in it and finally succumb. Mr. McCandless reminded me
of a dear friend of mine who died unexpectedly and a bit
mysteriously just over a year ago. He too had strong, clear ideas,
was drawn to the pure and the bold, and struggled to shed a troubled
family. That can be the work of a lifetime. My wilderness is leaving
my old career in television, where I could see I was spending way
too much energy whining, and starting a new career at an
inconvenient time, young son in tow. Hard but good to make changes
in life, as you no doubt know and as we saw from this man's life,
which I'm so glad found its way into a great film. I appreciate your
response to it, which his helped me figure out my own. Best wishes
and kindest regards,Lisa
Less than a year ago I watched a movie called Into The Wild, and it
truly changed my life. It depicts the real life story of Christopher
McCandless and the road that he took to follow his dreams. After
watching it I researched him online, and read everything I could
find. He had a dream to go into the wilderness, and to truly live
off the land. To find true happiness without the materialistic
influences that the world tells us are needed to survive and be
happy. His story has influenced the person I am today. Not because
he simply followed his dreams, but because he had the courage and
strength to follow his heart.
Chris defied every expectation that society put on him, and he did
what he wanted. In the end, he lived a happy life, and died
following his heart. Of all the people in the world that I can
choose as my hero, I chose Chris. He was determined, strong
physically and emotionally, intelligent, and had a big heart. He
found inspiration in the books he read, and the wilderness that
surrounded him. I am similar to Chris in many ways, and I am lucky
that his story became so famous.
Statistics tell me I will be divorced, most likely have a substance
abuse problem, and its likely that I get some form of cancer.
Society tells me that I will give into the pressures that face every
young person in the United States, and I should have already had one
or more children. However, I do not have a substance abuse problems,
I have not had any children, and I am healthy. I have made a
timeline for myself, just like Chris, and I will make my dreams come
true.
The first stop on my list is college, and to work hard to get a
degree in social work and/or human services. I want to be the person
that I know I can be, and in order to make that happen I need a
degree. I want to have people look up to me, I want to make my
family and friends proud with the things I do with my life. I will
make all of this happen, with the help of Florida State. One day
when I look back on the road that took me to my dreams, the people
and the experiences I will have at your school will come to mind. I
will be able to thank you for helping me reach for my dreams, and
giving me the education I needed.
I know that colleges must get thousands of applications and essays
explaining why applicants should go to their school, and I know that
I am average in a lot of ways. However, the strength and conviction
in the essay I wrote will stick out. The impression I make, will
last. The determination and passion I have to attend Fla State will
leave its mark. I am the ideal candidate, and I will work as hard as
I can. This is one stop on the road. It will be stressful, and it
will push me harder than I’ve ever been pushed. However, in the end
it is not about the destination, it is the road that a person takes
to get there. Like Chris said in his journal, “The joy of life comes
from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no
greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day
to have a new and different sun.”
Thank you,
Kimberly
Hello,
My name is Frédérique and since I just spent a bunch of time on your
Website, I figured out I’d drop you a few lines. What a wonderful
and moving work you’ve done, congratulations.
I discovered the story of C. McCandless through the Sean Penn movie.
I truly appreciated your researches and comments, and simply wanted
to thank you for sharing your knowledge and emotions through your
website. I admire the way you’ve done it and the time and effort you
put into it.
Cheers, and Happy New Year !
Frédérique
Hello. I want to thank you for the website and information you put
together on Mr. McCandless. I too was profoundly affected by the
story and the book. Finally seeing the story in film, further
cemented the change it had upon me. It actually inspired my first
trip to Alaska to experience first-hand the allure and wonderment of
the land.
Anyway, just a thank you.
hey, adam.
i saw the film for the first time on PBS on monday evening.
it was powerful, understated, and provided perspective that has not
been contemplated previously.
i hadn't thought of the mccandless story for many years, but after
seeing the film, i felt compelled to do a little on-line research.
that's how i came across your website.
it sounds like you have traveled some interesting roads yourself...
it's always fun to come across others that share that longing for
adventure.
coincidentally, i grew up (and still live) in south dakota, not far
from carthage, SD, mentioned in the story.
i've been here all my life and have never taken my "journey".
i'm a geologist by profession, employed by the government, and as i
approach my 36th birthday, i'm anticipating giving it all up- money,
security- to embark on my journey.
in fact, i'm planning on giving my notice this week, buying a ticket
to italy, and heading there to learn how to bake bread, after which
i plan to return to the states and open my own business...
it's no alaskan wilderness... but a wilderness of sorts...
i feel like for the first time, it will be me against the world...
perhaps that is why i have been drawn, once again, to the mccandless
story.
again, thanks for sharing your website.
tom
Hey!
Thanks for creating the Chris McCandless website. I think it's
amazing how his story resonates with people all over the world! I
guess we all have the urge to get away, or get "lost" when life
seems unfullfilling, and our passions must be bridled and contained
so often in everyday life. What an amazing feeling to be free from
all that binds us down. But I agree with you, I wouldn't want to be
without my kids, (3 boys). I was just wondering- why don't you
comment on the forums?? You seem to have a lot of insight and
understanding of Chris, and his frame of mind, motives, wanderlust,
etc...
Thanks again!
Lisa
Hello,
After watching Into The wild for the first time tonight I found your
website. It is very interesting. Chris's story is almost
unimaginable. It borders on the line between....I can't even find
words....admiration and sheer lunacy maybe??? I have a tremendous
amount of respect for him but find it sad he never saw his family
again.
I was wondering about the newspaper article that said "Madison Call
Helps Solve Hiker Mystery". Do you know what that was about?
Thank you for your help and I really enjoyed your site,
Eric
Click here for feedback page 2
