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"I read somewhere ... how important it is in life, not necessarily to be strong - but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions." -Christopher McCandless
"There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea and the music in its roar; I love not man the less, but Nature more." — Lord Byron
"It should not be denied... that being footloose has always exhilarated us. It is associated in our minds with escape from history and oppression and law and irksome obligations, with absolute freedom, and the road has always led West." — Wallace Stegner
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." -John Muir
"Some people feel like they don't deserve love. They walk away quietly into empty spaces, trying to close the gaps of the past." —Christopher McCandless
"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. 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." -Christopher McCandless, A.K.A -Alexander Supertramp.
"Society, you're a crazy breed...I hope you're not lonely without me. Society, have mercy on me...I hope you're not angry if I disagree. Society, crazy indeed...I hope you're not lonely, without me..."
Emile Hirsch portraying Christopher McCandless.
To listen to, or add songs from "Into The Wild" soundtrack (Eddie Vedder), please visit the "Into The Wild" soundtrack page here in my friends list. I specifically chose "Going Up The Country" to be the primary song here as it was played in the movie "Into The Wild" but not included on the actual soundtrack. The song was playing during one of my most favorite scenes in the movie...shortly after Christopher leaving his car and heading out on foot.
Leaving society, giving up all personal possessions, he would live off the land, far away from civilization, and keep a journal describing his physical and spiritual progress, the people he met along the way, and as he faced the forces of nature. In April 1992 Christopher successfully made it - hitchhiked and train hopping - to the Stampede Trail near Denali, Alaska. After hiking the Stampede Trail, Christopher found an abandoned bus used as a hunting shelter parked on an overgrown section of the trail near Denali National Park and began his attempt to live off the land. He had a 15-pound bag of rice, a Remington semi-automatic rifle, with plenty of .22LR hollow-tip ammunition, a book of local plant life, several other books, and some camping equipment.
Chris' journal entries range from ecstatic to grim with Christopher's changing fortunes in the wilderness of Alaska. In July, after living successfully in the bus for several months, he decided to leave, but found the trail back blocked by the Teklanika River, which was then considerably higher and swifter than it had been when he had crossed it in April. On August 12, with his situation growing more desperate, Christopher wrote what are assumed to be his final words in his journal “Beautiful Blueberriesâ€. He tore the final page from Louis L’Amour’s memoir, Education of a Wandering Man, which contains the words:
“Death’s a fierce meadowlark but to die having made Something more equal to centuries Than muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness. The mountains are dead stone, the people Admire or hate their stature, their insolent quietness, The mountains are not softened or troubled And a few dead men’s thoughts have the same temper.†On the other side of the page, Christopher added, “I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!â€
On September 6, 1992, Chris' body was found in his sleeping bag inside the bus, weighing just 67 pounds. A short, yet full-filled life.
The "Magic Bus" continues to be a destination for people from around the world. A shrine, a memorial - to Christopher McCandless AKA Alex Supertramp. Many of Chris' personal possessions are still in this bus. His family visits once a year and leaves letters for incoming visitors asking for respect of Christopher and his memory by requesting that his possessions be looked at and reflected upon, but are to be left there so others too can pay their respects to this man who some of us consider a hero. A spirit who followed his dream, the same dream that many of us have.
"Two years he walks the earth. No phone, no pool, no pets, no cigarettes. Ultimate freedom. An extremist. An aesthetic voyager whose home is the road. Escaped from Atlanta. Thou shalt not return, 'cause "the West is the best." And now after two rambling years comes the final and greatest adventure. The climactic battle to kill the false being within and victoriously conclude the spiritual pilgrimage. Ten days and nights of freight trains and hitchhiking bring him to the Great White North. No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become lost in the wild." -Alexander Supertramp, May 1992
The final goodbye.
"I have had a happy life and thank the Lord. Goodbye and may God bless all!"
In Memory - Christopher McCandless, A.K.A. "Alexander Supertramp"
"Long Nights" -- "Into The Wild" tribute below.
"Walking Away" -- "Into The Wild" tribute below.
Emile Hirsch below playing the inspirational role of Christopher McCandless in the unforgettable film, "Into The Wild".