My views on the story of Chris McCandless

Into The Wild website – a view

Why I made this website.

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’.

After reading the book, I automatically went out and bought the Into The Wild DVD and did some research on Christopher McCandless eventually building this website. The internet lacked a source of information on the story that covered all aspects of it. Thus, the site was born.

I compare his courage to that of others I have been inspired by – Albert Facey (from the book ‘A Fortunate Life’). He was an Australian growing up in the 1900’s working on farms on his own at the age of 12 as his parents left him and living a hard life in rural Western Australia.

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!

If anyone trying a similar adventure should take the necessary precautions and speak to an expert beforehand.

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, 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 people wanted to get out but they couldn’t. Truth is, they could, but didn’t want to take the plunge and they were also afraid to start something new.

I left that job and was on a plane a couple of weeks later out and seeing the world backpacking in various countries and visiting various continents. I did this for a year and then returned to Australia to get back into the workforce, (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.

I also hope to visit the 142 Fairbanks Bus one day.

Thirteen Senses – Into the fire

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.’

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

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