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California
Chris Mcandless was born in California;after when his mother and mother met at their current jobs at the time but moved to Annadale.There, he lived a part of his childhood along side with his younger sister Carine and develops part of his personality until moving to Annadale, Virginia. -
Annadale, Virginia
During their years there, Chris and his sister see the hardships of life that their family must go through such as financial problems, divorce, family issues, etc. However, while there, Chris develops more of his personality, love for adventure, nature, and the tension between him and his father. It is that when he graduates from highschool, he leaves to go on his "odyssey" without consulting his parents; ready to see the world independently. -
Lake Mead National Recreation area
On July 6th 1990, Chris leaves his home to start his "odyssey". While crossing the detrital wash, Chris is caught in the middle of a flash flood. He is unharmed, but unable to continue with his Datsun. Seeing this as an oppurtunity to experience life and nature more close up, Chris starts his journey on foot and as a hitch hiker. He learns to be more optimistic and to enjoy nature in closer detail. -
Carthage, South Dakota
Chris Mccandless is picked up by Westerburg and helps Chris to get a job, get food, a place to stay, etc. Over time, Chris and Westerburg become close friends along with all the other town folk. There, Chris learns about the bonds he has with people and his influence, while those who he does meet also have a deep bond. Along with this, we see that the people of carthage see that Chris has deep moralties for himself and that he sets high standards for himself too. -
Journey on Foot
After traveling on foot, Chris soon meets a couple (Jan and Bob) who help him get back on his feet, spend time with him, and are also one of the few people people who are concerned about Chris. Shortly afterwards, Chris buys a canoe with the remaining money he has left and travels down several rivers, encountering different environments, animals, people, etc. As he travels, chris has a deeper understanding and connection to nature (in his ideals) and seeks challenges in life. -
Gulf of Mexico
Eventually, Chris reaches the Gulf of mexico but is caught in the middle of a storm and develops a fear of water afterwards. He abandons his boat and continues to drift off feeding nothing but marine life and rice. He continues to do so until arriving in a couple of cities such as Los Angeles and Laos Vegas; where he stays for an extended period of time instead of usually moving from place to place. While doing so, Chris learns to become more independent and that he is uncomfortable in society. -
Bullhead City
Of all places Chris has spent time the most, it would be Bullhead city. Chris settles for a while and gets a temporary job, keeping to himself and being strongly independent. Again, he meets several more people and leaves a mark on them, including his coworkers, Charlie, and Jan and Bob (again). Afterwards, he leaves and travels with Jan and Bob to the Slabs, where a flea market is occuring; helping out and meeting new people. He then learns that he enjoys being around other people . -
Ronald Franz part 1
One of the people with the heaviest influenced by Chris's death, Franz saw him as a son. Both met when Chris was hitchhiking and spent a lot of time togther, with Franz teaching him everything he knew in his profession; as if passing down family skills from father to son. When the two were together, Franz grew deeply fond of Chris; helping get a job, food, and giving him rides if he needed any. Upon leaving him, Ron asks Chris if he would be his "adoptive" grandson, with Chris becoming -
Ronald Franz Part 2
uncomfortable and avoiding the question. This leaves Franz sad and heart broken, until he recieves a letter from Chris to live the true way of "man's inner soul"; in which he does. Afterwards, Chris continues on his Alaskan Odyssey and continue to travel in any method he can; whether it be by jumping from train to train, hitch hiking, or on foot. -
Carthage part 1
Chris once again returns to Carthage after a long trip. He continues to stay there and is offered a job by Westergburg to help him build the money he needs for his trip. While staying there, Chris meets more of Westerburg's friends, family, and workers.Westerburg and others also spend more time with him and get to know Chris a little better (like how we learn Chris is uncomforable with relationships. Not surprisingly, everyone who meets him is left with a deep impression and grow fond of him. -
Carthage part 2
On the night before he leaves, Westerburg and his crew throw a party for Chris before saying good-bye. The next day, Chris says his good-byes and leaves for his journey, promising he'll come back to Carthage and settle down. However, we are left with a ominous feeling that this will be his last adventure and the fact that he sheds tears before continuing his journey and sending letters to his friends hinting that he might not make it. -
Alaskan Odyssey Part 1
Chris leaves Carthage to continue his journey and sneaks rides on trains and hitch hikes some more to get to Alaska. Upon arrival in Alaska, Chris has difficulty getting a ride and is stuck until he meets a man known as Gaylord Stuckey; who offers him a ride half way to Fairbanks. Along the way, Stuckey has a change of heart after spending time with Chris on the road and drives him all the way. Finally in Alaska, Chris prepares himself for his stay in the Alaskan wild before meeting Jim Gallien. -
Stampede Trail
It is April 28th and Chris is hitch hiking until a man known as Jim Gallien picks him up. Along the way to Chris's destination, Gallien and Chris have a conversation with each other. In the end, Gallien is another person who is concerned about Crhis's safety and does what he can to help Chris on his journey. Chris now at his destination, sets of to the stampede trail and arrives at the broken down bus. There, he has diffuculty getting food, preserving food, and learns that he is inexperienced. -
Alaskan Wild Part 1
After staying in the wild for a couple of months and surviving, Chris decides to return to society after his journey, pratice the philisopy of living for others and starting a family of his own. He travels to the creek he crossed to find it flooded. Having no choice and knowing nothing about his whereabouts, Chris decides to return to the bus and remain there for a little longer until the flood is over. -
Alaskan wild part 2
Chris returns to the bus and continues to "live off of the land". He is successfully able to get game and is doing fine ( although not in top shape). On July 30, he made the fatal mistake of ingesting too many wild potato seeds; which prove to be poisonous . Over a period of time, he slowly starved to death because of the enzyme inhibiting alkaloids. If he was in good shape he might have survived but he was already in critical shape to begin with. -
Death
On August 18th, 1992, it is believed that Chris Mc'Candless died on this date. After slowly starving to death, Chris does what he can to survive and get help by hunting food and leaving a note. Before starving to death and crawling in his sleeping bag to succumb to death; he writes his final words and notes in his journal and pieces of paper stating that he has had a satisfying life, praying and blessing, and saying his thank you's and good-bye to the world. -
Body Found
Aprroximately two and a half weeks later, six Alaskans end up at the same bus where Chris died. Each not knowing what is going on investigate the area and find Chris's S.O.S note on the bus, after noticing a really bad smell. One of the poeple there (Samel) inspects the bus and finds the dead body of Chris Mc'Candless, rotting and decomposing. The six Alaksans then notify the authorites of the dead body they found. -
Epilouge Part 1
On September 13th, 1992, Chris Mc'Candless's death is revealed to the world. This leaves many of Chris's friends, family, and aquantainces shocked, depressed, in grief, and denial upon their own discoverey. Individuals include Jim Gallien, Ronald Franz, Wayne Westerburg, and Chris's closest family members; each who try to learn how, why, when, and where he died. They also provide any information they can along with requesting a copy of the magazine starring Chris's death. -
Epilouge Part 2
It has been about ten months since the death of Chris Mc'Candless was announced to the world. Jon Krauker and Chris's closest family members along with others journey through the Alaskan wild to arrive at Chris's final rseting place. There, Chris's family examines the site, bus, and belongings in the bus that belong to Chris and anything involved with him. The family then takes their time to remember Chris, be with any remnants left of him, and take his belongings before leaving the Alaskan wild