Christopher McCandless - My view
Into The Wild website
Why I made this website - by Adam Read.
I made this website in my spare time to help keep this great story
alive. Please note that I am not a writer, these are just thoughts on
paper.
I was taken back by this story to the point where I decided to build
this website. After reading the book, I automatically went out and
bought the DVD and did some research on Christopher McCandless. If
anyone trying a similar adventure should take the necessary precautions
and speak to an expert before hand.
I compare his courage to that of others I have been inspired by - Albert
Facey (from the book 'A Fortunate Life') and others not widely known.
Professional hunters, hikers and the like have said that they could not
do what Chris did. Living off the land with only the barest of
essentials, even if part of that time was in the 142 Fairbanks Bus. If,
as the book states, Chris had intended to go home before discovering
that the river was too dangerous, then he would have left and lived to
tell a great story, instead he decided to wait until the conditions in
the river were better. The book talked about another 'adventurer' Gene
Rosellini who also tried a similar quest in Alaska and came to the
conclusion that 'it is not possible for human beings as we know them to
live off the land'. Admittedly he did it for 10 years!
Chris had a dream and he went out and fulfilled it (albeit to his
detriment in the end). How many of us have something in the back of our
minds but never go and do it? How easy is it to go and chase after that
dream? In many cases this may be difficult or even impossible. Was it
impossible for Chris to go out into the wilderness for the 2 long years
that he did without formal training? No it was not, because he put his
mind to it and did it.
I could not do what Chris did nor do I have an interest in that type of
adventure, but I respect it. I am certainly not too old for it, at 39 I
am still in good shape, but I need to be around people and that gives me
satisfaction. As close as I got was backpacking through various
countries living it as cheap as possible.
It is easy to go through the motions of everyday life and think about
'what if'. If I thought like that, I would be in the same job that I had
12 years ago with all of my colleagues complaining and wanting to get
out. It was a good job mind you, but most were unhappy in it. Not me. I
did not want to talk about the same things over and over and how poeple
wanted to get out but they couldnt. Truth is, they could, but didnt want
to take the plunge and they were also afraid to start something new.
I left that job in 1997 (after 7 years) and was on a plane a couple of
weeks later out and seeing the world backpacking in various countries
and visiting various continents. I certainly did not do it as Chris did,
I had saved money and worked here and there when I needed more. I did
this for a year and then returned to Australia to get back into the work
force, (different job and career) but there was still that longing to
travel and to see more of the world. So I was back out on the road again
2 years later.
Currently I live in Norway with a mortgage
and 3 kids. But still there is a longing to do the things I have wanted
to do. The difficult part for me is that I now have a family, but things
are still achievable. Some will involve me taking my family to the
places I want to see and others will involve me going it alone.
I also hope to visit the 142 Fairbanks Bus one day.
The picture you see above left is of the band
'Thirteen Senses'. (On the right is me and one of my boys)
I cannot believe how much their song 'Into The Fire' made
me think about Chris McCandless. In my opinion the lyrics also summarily
describe his adventures. The lyrics for the song are below. For me,
'Into The Fire' describes going out and fulfilling your dream or your
adventure and 'meeting the power' is coming face to face with the
hardships and the joys you may face with that adventure. (I don't
actually know what the lyrics refer to.) The video clip of the song is
below.'
Thirteen Senses - Into The Fire by Davidof-14
Into The Fire Lyrics © Universal Music
Come on, come on
Put your hands into the fire
Explain, explain
As I turn and meet the power
This time, this time
Turning white and senses dire
Pull up, pull up
From one extreme to another
From the summer to the spring
From the mountain to the air
From Samaritan to sin
And it's waiting on the end
Come on, come on
Put your hands into the fire
Explain, explain
As I turn and meet the power
This time, this time
Turning white and sense dire
Pull up, pull up
From one extreme to another
From the summer to the spring
From the mountain to the air
From Samaritan to sin
And it's waiting on the end
And now I'm alone I'm looking out, I'm looking in
Way down, the lights are dimmer
Now I'm alone I'm looking out , I'm looking in
Way down, the lights are dimmer
Ooooh
Come on, come on
Put your hands into the fire
Come on, come on
I have had a lot of emails from people all over the world about this
story, you can see some of these here.
