Here’s the unsettling story of Chris McCandless, the young man who ventured into the wilderness and, tragically, never returned home.
After graduating from university in 1990, McCandless made a life-changing decision.
He donated all of his savings and set out on a journey inspired by his favorite book, The Call of the Wild by Jack London.
He was determined to recreate the rugged adventure described in the book, so he headed north to the remote Alaskan bush with the dream of living off the land.
His story, full of determination and a desire to reject the consumerist culture of America, is both inspiring and heartbreaking.
It later became the subject of a book and a film adaptation, the trailer for which can be viewed below:
Unfortunately, McCandless’ goal of embracing a simpler, more natural way of life had a devastating end.
At just 24 years old, he ultimately starved to death in the makeshift camp he had created for himself in the wilderness.
His body was later found by hikers in an old, rusted bus that had served as his home.
When his remains were discovered, he weighed only 67 pounds, a chilling reminder of just how unforgiving nature can be.
In the months leading up to his death, McCandless had been keeping a detailed journal of his life in Bus 142, located on the Stampede Trail in Alaska.
He also captured moments on a film camera. Both the journal and the photographs were recovered after his death, offering a crucial glimpse into McCandless’ final days.
Through these records, we learn how he arrived at this remote location and how he struggled in his last attempts to return to civilization.
