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Chris is born
Chris was born on February 12th, 1968 in El Segundo, California. -
Annandale, VA, USA
Chris and his family moved from California to Virginia in approximately 1971. Annabel is the suburb of D.C. where Chris McCandless grew up in. His father was a high ranking engineer for NASA. But, he eded up quitting his job and started his own business with his wife at his own house. It led to many arguments which made Chris and his sisters emotionally traumatized for years. (Which appeared to be the cause for Chris never keeping in touch with his 12family). -
Emory Unersity
After Chris finished high school, he attended Emory University for four years. During his time at Emory, he lost so many friends and became very independent. The last time his parents and sister ever saw him was at his college graduation. Shortly after, he donated his remaining $25,000 to a charity called OXFAM which helped those who were poor and needed food. Chris also realized that his father was having relationships with his first wife as well as his mother. -
Montana
Chris crosses paths with a man named Wayne Westerberg. Who turned out to be one of his closest friends on his travels. -
Travels to the West (Part 1)
His first pit stop was Dallas, Texas. He ran into some troubles with his money being stolen from his car while he was sleeping in it. -
Travels to the West (Part 2)
After his money being stolen, he buried the rest of his money in Houston before entering, in a place where he can find it and no one else can. -
Arizona Part 1
Chris was on the move to Arizona. He parked in a flash flood zone which turned out to be a big mistake. His car was found stuck in the water saying, “This piece of sh*t has been abandoned. Whoever can get it out of her can have it.” Some of his belongings were left in the car. Also, his car was used as a undercover cop car used in multiple drug busts. Chris now changes his name to Alex Supertramp. -
Lake Tahoe
After losing his car to a flash flood, Chris hitch hikes up to Lake Tahoe over the course of several months. -
California
Alex hitched a ride from Jan Burres who was just like Chris. She had a son out there in the world and Alex reminded her of him. Alex grew very close to her and even sent her postcards. -
Wayne Westerberg
Alex meets Wayne Westerberg in South Dakota. Wayne offers Alex a job, working at his grain elevator in Carthage. Alex in needed of money, Alex accepts it and Wayne becomes his closest friend on his journey. Wayne gets arrested and Alex leaves for Mexico. -
Mexico
Alex sneaks across the border in a cheap kayak, he tried to paddle to the Gulf Coast but it was blocks by swamps. Some Mexicans gave him a ride to the coast where he spent most of his time. Alex abandons his kayak and tries to return to America. -
Border Patrol
Alex is caught by the immigration police at the Tex-Mexican border. He was held over night. Once he explained to the police what his situation was, they let him into America, but they confiscated his hand gun. -
McDonald’s
Alex arrives in Bullhead City, Arizona. He wants a rest from the road and wants to work as a cook at McDonald’s. Co-workers thought he was very odd but got the job done. After many steady months he sent his first postcard to Jan Burres. She was very excited and made plans to come and visit him, but Alex ends up meeting her halfway. -
December
After helping Jan sell books, Alex got tired of sitting down and makes on last stop in Carthage before making his way off to Alaska. -
Ronald Franz
On route to Carthage, Alex set up camp outside Salton City, California. He was picked up by Ronald Franz, an eighty year old man. Ronald enjoyed Alex’s company and got really close with him to the point that he wanted to adopt him . Alex said he would think about it and let him know after his journey. Ronald taught Alex some craftsmanship techniques. -
Preparation for Alaska
After very difficult hitch hiking, Alex finally arrives in Fairbanks. After hitching a ride from Jim Gallien, Alex arrives at his final destination, the Stampede Trail. -
Teklanika River
After crossing Teklanika River, knee deep at the time, Alex arrived at an abandoned bus sitting on the trail. His journal simply states, “Magic Bus Day!” -
June 9th
Chris had several good weeks of hunting. He tried to continue along the Stampede Trail, but it proved to be impassable. Alex made the bus his base. On June 9th he shot his first Moose. It was one of the smaller moose’s. He tried to preserve the meat but after three days the meat was full of maggots. After two months in Alaska, he decides to head back to civilization. But the river was raging making it impossible to cross over. He then headed back to the bus and think it over. -
July
Alex survived the next few weeks by hunting squirrels, spruce, grouse, jays, and woodpeckers. Also ate many wild plants and vegetables. Alex had been eating wild potatoes which have now become inedible. So he took to eating the seeds which were latex by alkaloids for protection. The alkaloid prevented Alex from absorbing nourishment from food, causing his inevitable starvation. -
Day 112
Alex left a frantic note taped to the bus door. Alex dies in the bus. Only 19 days later, six people coincidentally converged at the bus and discovered Chris McCandless.
