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November, 2024

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Into the Wild

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Kevo
Posts: 2374 - Karma: 136
Has anyone read this book? I thought it raised some good questions. For those of you who have read it, I'm not trying to start a debate on whether or not McCandless was prepared for what he was doing or how stupid/smart he was.

But does anyone else feel the need to run into the wilderness when human relationships go awry? I have my entire life, and I have spent a significant amount of time by myself in the wilderness. Perhaps the issue is magnified by the fact that I have the Rocky's in my backyard and I can be by myself in the mountains in as little as 30 minutes.
Oct 10 2006 2:30AM
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clrumivier4life
Posts: 2429 - Karma: 9
So seriously, what is this book about? I'm interested.
Oct 10 2006 10:09AM
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Kevo
Posts: 2374 - Karma: 136
It's about a guy who pretty much decided to drop out of society and go on all these solo adventures. His last adventure was spending over 100 days alone in the Alaskan backcountry before he died from mysterious causes (I won't spoil the book). He had given away more than $20,000 to a charity and burned all his money. Many of his journal entries are published in the book so it gives a reasonably good insight into what he was thinking/doing while he was alone. It raises some good phylosophical questions about human interaction and the way we feel the need to be around other people.
Oct 10 2006 12:39PM
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steeplechamp
Posts: 428 - Karma: 13
I really enjoyed this book...i read it a few years ago...i wish i could remember some of the quotes he said..I'm going to go dig that book up and look up some of those quotes.
Oct 10 2006 12:52PM
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steeplechamp
Posts: 428 - Karma: 13
I know I'm posting again, but whatever..
So many good parts in the book. I really liked how he chaged the elderly guys view of the world...can you imagine some guy in their 70's listening to someone who is in their early 20's how to live their life? And than following up on it!
I think anyone who reads the book has a personal connection with chris (alexander supertramp!).

Kevo...i'm sure it hit home when it talked about him climbing up longs and getting stuck in the keyhole, but him wanting to go for it at such a young age!

"He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage"...that baggage was his CAR!!

"You should own notthing except what you can carry on your back at a dead run"

I think the only thing wrong with what he did was not saying anything to his parents.
Man i love this book! I'm reading it again.
Oct 10 2006 1:04PM
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SteveStepp
Posts: 9529 - Karma: 20,647
I read it and loved it. It was such a good book.
As for him abandoning most of his relationships, i think that was purley his own decision. If thats what helped his life move forward, then hey, i guess that works.

It seemed to me that his adventures started out a little light-hearted, then got progressivly serious. When he was at the point of his Alaska trip, it was like he couldnt care less if he died or not. Some of his earlier trips were more out of leisure.

good book, i suggest it
Oct 10 2006 1:06PM
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Lé.Skiing
Posts: 10035 - Karma: 8,128
i'd do that for about a year or so then i'd be bored of it, and decide to move back in my house and start making money again and junk
Oct 10 2006 1:26PM
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clrumivier4life
Posts: 2429 - Karma: 9
I'm going to go pick this book up before my chem class tonight. Thanks for the recommendation!
Oct 10 2006 2:29PM
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Kevo
Posts: 2374 - Karma: 136
Yeah I guess you might remember the thread from over a year ago where I had to turn back on Longs at the boulder field do to 75 mph winds and snow (I went back late season and summited with ice all over the mountain and without my mountaineering axe). It was cool to see how he had that burning desire in him to push on.

I can understand how he got into the situation of not talking to his parents. If you don't talk to somebody you once loved for a long time, everyday that passes makes it harder and harder to go back and try to contact them. I have done this with a single personal relationship in my life. I still think about her a lot and I have come close several times to calling her or writing her, but I can't bring myself to do it.

Before I found this book I had just given away about half of my closes to charity. I guess I felt the same feeling of baggage and needed to be set free. I found the book in a bookstore when I was buying books for my classes this semester. I spent roughly $650 on books this semester and this $4 used book is by far the only one I even enjoy.

Oct 10 2006 2:43PM
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steeplechamp
Posts: 428 - Karma: 13
Anyone see the movie? It came out today in selected theaters. I saw the trailer...it looks good. Just wondering what people thought of the movie if they saw it.
Sep 22 2007 4:48PM
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gnarzard
Posts: 366 - Karma: 10
i read it, and no i dont necessarily always feel the need to run away due to relationships, but i sort of do think about totally changing my life and doing crazy shit sike that maybe. i like the idea of "only once you have lost everything are you truly free to do anything" and hope that i will take risks and even as an adult dont just stop taking risks cause then youre never going to have anything to remember and you only live once.
Sep 22 2007 9:10PM
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jimmychung
Posts: 6857 - Karma: 25
AWESOME BOOK!

so glad there's a thread on this now, it's soooooo good. i've often thought about just leaving shit behind temporarily to get some time with just me and nature, and it's really appealing. however, i think i'd try to bring more than just 10lbs of rice and a gun with me =)
Sep 22 2007 9:17PM
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2Fly
Posts: 28 - Karma: 10
Haven't read the book but I saw the movie today. Going into it I knew the basic story line and ending so the movie was pretty much what I expected but it was done very well. From what I've heard (again haven't read the book) but they stuck very closely to what is believed to have been his actual experience.

I can understand why he did what he did, on a much smaller scale I occasionally go for a drive with the intention of getting lost.
Sep 22 2007 9:19PM
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Kevo
Posts: 2374 - Karma: 136
I got invited to the Boulder premier because of where I work but I have to work during it. LAME! It was going to be a free showing for people in the outdoor industry.
Sep 27 2007 3:38AM
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Schoening
Posts: 14332 - Karma: 1,268
yea this book is really good...even if you don't like reading i guarentee you'll like this book
Sep 27 2007 9:45AM
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bigdaddytmac
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 14
awesome book
Sep 27 2007 9:51AM
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[[Totoro]]
Posts: 84 - Karma: 10
Such an amazing story. the way he paddles around Baja California in a metal boat, without a paddle is pretty insane.
Sep 27 2007 9:57AM
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brizz
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 74
i sometimes take off into the woods when life gets stressed. Usually to do something like fish a new stream, ride my bike, or hike a new trail, everything previous to that doesn't matter at that moment, same reason i ski. It always makes me come back and do all the shitty things.
good read, movies rarely do a good book justice
Sep 27 2007 12:06PM
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.scott.
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 27
Alexander Supertramp...it's worth the read
Sep 27 2007 1:52PM
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twintipteles
Posts: 2954 - Karma: 13
Into the wild was great. I think it speaks volumes about my town that 97% of my freshman english class thought he was an idiot and had no comprehension of his perspective.
Sep 27 2007 1:56PM
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KZA
Posts: 3304 - Karma: 301
im gonna hike the whole at when i graduate from college. but yeh def a good book
Sep 27 2007 2:05PM
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GreekAR6
Posts: 527 - Karma: 11
I'm with you on that, man.  I think I was the only one in my English class that felt otherwise...
Sep 27 2007 4:08PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
i'm not a big book reader but that book was god
Sep 27 2007 4:09PM
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JayDope
Posts: 6842 - Karma: 408
i had to read it this summer for summer reading, they r coming out with a movie soon
Sep 27 2007 5:29PM
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