More "Into the Wild" News: Backpacker Drowns near McCandliss Bus

August 20, 2010

The distorted, romanticized, story told by Jon Krakauer about Christopher McCandless in his book "Into the Wild" has claimed another victim.

This story, "Swiss woman drowns in Teklanika River, near 'Into the Wild' bus," in the Fairbanks daily News Miner reports the drowning death of a backpacker in the Teklanika River near the McCandless bus. 

Background

Krakauer's account of McCandless' demise appears about as distorted as his account-and participation-in the disasterous 1996 climbing season on Everest, when 8 people died.

But, as Krakauer knows, everyone love a good story, even if it's a lie. And these are great stories, though they are based on misperceptions, self-serving interpretations, and lies that have since been disproven.

Krakauer's Account

Into the Wild

The facts that refute Krakauer's account

10 True Facts about Chris McCandless

Terra Incognito Films: Documentary

Director's comments

The Call of the Wild: Into the Wild Debunked

References, into thin air

Into Thin Air, Wikipedia

Anatoli Boukreev

The Climb, a refutation of Krakauer by Anatoli Boukreev

These stories are relevant to all backpackers for one very important reason: Nature operates on its own terms, not yours. If your perceptions of nature are not accurate, you can easily put yourself into situations where you can be injured, stranded, or die.

If you are planning a trip based on romantic expectations rather than hard facts, you are going to suffer. Here's a few examples of stupid misperceptions that rookie backpackers make.

 One does not "get into shape" on the trail. One does not learn snow travel and navigation on their first trip to the snow. One does not decide that they can "tough it" and do without tent and proper insulation without considerable risk of disaster striking. One does not mis, or under pack food supplies without risk of going terribly hungry. You can make these mistakes and get away with it.

But if something else goes wrong while you are in the wilderness in bad physical condition during an "unexpected" snow storm without proper food, shelter, and clothing, you can die.

So don't be a citiodiot. Reflect accurately on the requirements of your proposed trip, and your physical and experiential qualifications. If qualifications do not match requirements, then get to work. Do preparatory trips to build your physical capacity and experience.