Blog #29: Nature Writing

Christopher McCandless' adventures were indeed admirable and noble. His struggles were beneficial and maybe even necessary for him to blossom and become who he needed to be. Surviving a near death experience does make you a better human. It makes you realize that you are not immortal and maybe question what you have been doing and why you may have been doing this. He risked his life day-to-day, ventured where some of us only daydream, and lived his life the way he wanted to. To see the world, and live a full life.

We can't start a story midway through now can we? Every story had a beginning, including this one. McCandless did not agree with his parents materialistic view on life. They were a privileged family with quite a bit of wealth, But Christopher was a simpler man and enjoyed his inexpensive things and the memories they shared, more than new expensive items. He eventually left on his own to hitchhike to Alaska.

Christopher risked his life on a daily basis. Walking through the desert with a low amount of water, Kayaking through white water without previous experience or advise, venturing to Alaska without proper gear and provisions. We all know Christopher had risked his life in basically everything he did and everywhere he went, but its important to know this because it proves that he not only stuck with his dream, but he also obtained his dream in the end. He made it to Alaska. He did exactly what he had wanted to do. At the end of his adventure, we all knew that we all are not immortal.

Christopher McCandless had traveled all over North America. Places like Arizona, California, South Dakota, and down the Colorado river to the Gulf of California. This is quite a feat for a young man right out of college with no experience besides a road trip here and there. Most of us rarely even get to go out to our grandparent's or relative's houses for the holidays. This man ventured across North America by himself. That is impressive.

Christopher McCandless lived a life some of us can only dream of. Seeing things most people don't get to see, experiencing the rough experiences the world has to offer, and getting away from the things that were holding him back. Living the dream some might say. He followed that dream until the end, while most of us compromise or even completely abandon our dreams. Thus why his adventures were admirable and noble.