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Chris McCandless is born!
He was born in El Segundo, California. -
The McCandless family moves to a new house
Chris moved with his family to Annadale, Virginia so his father could be closer to work in Washington, D.C. -
Walt McCandless' other relationship
Chris drove to El Segundo and talked to his old neighbors. He found out about his fathers previous marriage and divorce. Chris also found out about the other child his father had. Chris grew furious with his father not telling him. -
Chris Starts His Journey
Chris drove his Datsun West. He was forced to abandon his Datsun after a flash flood in Arizona soaked the engine. He left a note saying if anyone could start it, they could have it. He left most of his belongings behind in the car. -
Alexander Supertramp
Chris started going by the name Alexander Supertramp. A " Tramp" basically means a traveler, which is what he was; a super traveler. Alexander Supertramp also started keeping a journal about his travels and experiences. The weird thing was, the documents were all in third person. -
Crazy Ernie
When McCandless found himself broke with no car, he took a job from "Crazy Ernie" working on a farm. Crazy Ernie turned out to be a con and didn't pay any of the people working for him. After finding that out, McCandless stole a bike and pedaled off. -
Jan Burre
In northern California, Alex hitched a ride from Jan Burres who was also a tramp. She has an RV with her husband. Jan and Alex had a special bond. Mostly because Jan had a son the same age of Chris who had taken off just like Chris did, and Jan was around the same age as Chris's Mom. After Chris left the Burres, he sent postcards as often as he could. -
Wayne Westerberg
After leaving The Burres. Alex hitches a ride with Wayne Westerberg in South Dakota. Alex took a job from Wayne at his grain elevator in Carthage. They became inseparable friends until Wayne got arrested. After this, Alex takes the money Wayne had paid him and set off for Mexico. -
Chris "Alexander Supertramp" McCandless goes to Mexico
Alex successfully sneaks across the border in a cheap kayak. He explored many water routes, until he hit a rough patch that made him decide to abandon his kayak and return to the United States. -
Immigration
Alex is caught by immigration at the Tex-Mex border, and is held overnight. He explains to the police what his situation was and they let him cross back into the states after they've confiscated his handgun -
Bullhead City, Arizona
Alex arrives in Bullhead City. He wanted a break from the road and found someone who would let him rent a trailer. He took up a steady job as a Mcdonald's employee. Most saw him as a diligent worker, but also fond him odd, as he did not like wearing socks. After a few months, Chris sent his first postcard to Jan Burres. She got very excited to hear he settled, and rushed to go visit him. McCandless suddenly packed up his belongings and intercepted Jan. -
Jan Burres Pt. 2
McCandless, Jan, and her boyfriend Bob head to The Slabs, an old navy air base that are tramps prime spot for settling. They had a Flea Market set up at the Slabs in which McCandless helped out with. McCandless helped with Jan's stand. He talked about his "Great Alaskan Odyssey". Chris (Alex) McCandless got tired of settling, and decided to make one last stop in Carthage before heading to Alaska. -
Carthage Pt. 2 / Ronald Franz
On his way to Carthage, then Alaska, Chris (Alex), set up camp outside Salton City, California. One day while hitch-hiking into town for supplies, he was picked up by an eighty-year-old man, Ronald Franz. Their Immediate bond caused Chris (Alex) to delay his trip to Alaska. Franz was a lonely man who lived by himself and had no relatives of his own.He treated McCandless like his own grandson.He taught McCandless craftmanship techniques.McCandless crafted his own belt and holster for his machete. -
Journey Continues
McCandless leaves Franz and heads towards San Diego. -
Dabbling with "hobo-ing"
After hopping from train to train, McCandless finds somewhere to call Franz and asks to be picked up. Franz picks up McCandless and drives him to Grand Junction, Colorado. Alex arrives three days later in Carthage, South Dakota and resumes work for Wayne Westerberg, who is now out of prison. -
Awaiting Alaskan Odyssey
McCandless makes his final preparations for Alaska. -
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Great Alaskan Odyssey
After very difficult hitch hking, McCandless finally arrives in Fairbanks, Alaska. After hitch-hiking a ride from Jim Gallien, Alex arrives at his final destination, The Stampede Trail. -
"Magic Bus Day!"
After crossing the Knee-Deep Teklanika River, McCandless arrives at the abandoned bus on the trail. His journal entry for that day said," Magic Bus Day!" -
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Six Good Hunting Weeks
Chris has six good hunting weeks. Chris tried to continue on the Stampede trail but it was impassable, so he made the bus his base. On June 9th, Chrus shot and killed a moose. The moose was 600 pounds, He frantically tried to preserve the meat by smoking it, but after 3 days it was full of maggots. he wrote in his journal " I now wish i had never shot the moose. One of the greatest tragedies of my life." -
McCandless's Journey in Alaska
After two months in Alaska, Chris decides to head back into civilization. He finds the Teklanika River too rough to pass. It became rough over time when the glaciers started melting. Chris deemed it impassable and returned to the bus. He thought he would wait until the violent water calmed, then head home. -
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July-August at The Magic Bus
McCandless survived the next few weeks by hunting squirrel, spruce grouse, jays, woodpeckers, and frogs. He ate many wild plants and vegetables. He was exhausted and starving, but survived every day by continuous hunting. Alex had been eating potatoes since he arrives in the Alaskan area. But, in late July, the potato root became inedible so Chris started eating the seeds.These cover themselves in alkaloid, which stopped Chris from getting nourishment, causing his inevitable starvation. -
Last Few Days
From the Seeds, McCandless was too weak to hunt, so he slowly starved in the bus. On August 12th, McCandless left this note taped to the bus door. -
Chris Alexander Supertramp McCandless' Death
Chris dies, leaving behind one last final note, only nineteen days later, six people found Chris McCandless while traveling.
