The Stark Reality of What Chris McCandless Carried: More Than Just a Backpack

The Stark Reality of What Chris McCandless Carried: More Than Just a Backpack

Chris McCandless, or Alexander Supertramp as he called himself, ventured into the Alaskan wilderness with what can only be described as a shockingly sparse collection of belongings. His story, brought to life in Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild,” continues to stir up strong feelings, mostly about whether he was prepared for what he faced out there. Let’s dive into exactly what he took with him, and maybe we can get a better sense of what he was thinking – and what went wrong.

The Bare Essentials (and Then Some)

Before he even made it to Fairbanks, hitchhiking all the way from South Dakota, McCandless had the basics: clothes, you know, toothbrush, and some camping gear, including a tent. But Fairbanks is where things got a little more “official,” so to speak. He stocked up:

• Rice, Plain and Simple: A ten-pound bag of rice. That was his main grub. Talk about keeping it simple.
• A Used Rifle: A Remington Nylon 66, semi-automatic, plus 400 rounds of .22LR ammo. For hunting, of course.
• Plant ID for Survival: A book about local plants, hoping to find some edible greens.

Now, Jim Gallien, the guy who gave McCandless his last ride before hitting the Stampede Trail, deserves a mention. He tossed in a few extras:

• Two Sandwiches – because you can’t start a journey on an empty stomach.
• A Bag of Corn Chips – a little something to break the monotony of rice.
• Rubber Boots – essential for trekking through Alaskan muck.

McCandless, in return, gave Gallien his watch, comb, and spare change. A symbolic gesture, maybe?

Threads and Personal Bits

From what we can piece together, McCandless’s wardrobe was pretty basic:

• Clothes suitable for the journey
• A pair of insulated flight pants
• Wool mittens
• Brown rubber work boots
• Muskol insect repellent
• Chapstick
• Toiletries

Books: His Real Treasure

Here’s a surprise: the heaviest thing in McCandless’s pack wasn’t food or gear, but books. Nine or ten paperbacks, to be exact. A traveling library! These weren’t just any books, either:

• Walden by Henry David Thoreau
• Works by Leo Tolstoy, including The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Family Happiness
• Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
• The Call of the Wild and The Road by Jack London
• The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton
• O Jerusalem by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins
• Taras Bulba by Nikolai Gogol
• Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L’Amour

He also had Tanaina Plantlore, Dena’ina K’et’una by Priscilla Russell Kari, using its blank pages for journal entries. A practical choice, or a sign of something deeper?

Where He Fell Short

Okay, so he had books and rice. But let’s be real, McCandless was missing some crucial things:

• No Map, No Clue: He didn’t have a detailed map of the area. A big mistake, considering it could have shown him where cabins were located and easier spots to cross rivers.
• Meat Gone Bad: He didn’t know how to properly preserve the moose he killed, which led to a major food shortage. A real rookie error.
• Not Enough Warmth: While Jim Gallien gave him a heavy jacket, his clothing overall probably wasn’t up to the task of handling the brutal Alaskan cold.
• Book Smarts vs. Street Smarts: McCandless was confident he could live off the land, but his experience was limited. This led to some deadly mistakes when it came to identifying edible plants.

The Takeaway

Chris McCandless went into the wild seeking something more, rejecting the trappings of modern life. But his story also serves as a stark reminder: nature is powerful, and preparation is key. You can’t just read about survival; you have to know survival. His tale, though romantic to some, is ultimately a cautionary one.