I just watched a film on Netflix the other day, titled Into the Wild.
Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical drama survival film written and directed by Sean Penn. It is an adaptation of the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer based on the travels of Christopher McCandless across North America and his life spent in the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s.

McCandless, like many of us felt empty upon graduating from college, and took off bumming on his own to find the "meaning to life".

He had many adventures and ended up heading off into the Alaska bush by himself, in order to "find himself." He found an old abandoned bus converted into a cabin and made this his home.

He kept a daily journal, which is the basis for Krakauer's book. Tragically, McCandless found himself trapped and starved to death in the Alaska outback. Two weeks later, his body was discovered by moose hunters. One of the last journal entries was one that I personally find true upon embarking on one of my many solo canoe trips.

"HAPPINESS [is] ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED”

Although I love solo tripping, I many times wish that I had someone with me to share my many moments of joy and my many moments of struggle. This is the only regret that I ever have about solo tripping.

I was wondering if other solo trippers have similar feelings.

I watched the movie on Netflix about a year ago as well with my wife. I had low expectations for the movie despite the books author John Krakauer. However I really enjoyed the movie and it made me think a lot. McCandless was a unique individual. Despite his solo pursuits he made some very deep personal relationships along the way. Had he survived Alaska I think he would have returned to those relationships been an even better person after learning how important they are. The story is really tragic because he did not starve to death so much as he misidentified a plant and poisoned himself. One could argue he could have as easily died going down the Colorado to Mexico. It was a sad ending but there are people who suffer much worse fates pursuing happiness via drugs, alcohol, consumerism, narcissism, etc.

One thing different, at least for me is that I am much older than he was in my solo pursuits. I have shared the great joys of the outdoors with others starting young with my family...dad, brothers, sisters etc. up to my wife and my own family. I have taken co workers, novices, relatives to share the outdoor experience. I have to admit soloing is a selfish pursuit. It is time away from tending those relationships, which for an introvert can take a lot of energy. It helps me recharge and maintain relationships. I do try share my solo trips via my photographs and stories.

I think what McCandless really discovered in the end was that his real happiness was when he was with others....based on HIS life experience. I think he had he found more balance in his life he could have discovered that without having to search all over looking for it.

I think the lesson for all is that....does happiness come from where we are looking? Or is it there right in front of us and we don't recognize it? Those are the type philosophical questions you can take with on your solo trips to reflect on.

Guess I'm selfish, and find I do not have to share happiness.

I do not mean to offend, but I do not care for survivalist fools who refuse to prepare/study/ignore the situations they get into.

butthead

quote butthead: " I do not mean to offend, but I do not care for survivalist fools who refuse to prepare/study/ignore the situations they get into.


butthead"

I'm with you..."a mans got to know his limitations"

It's great you've a partner and the two of you synchronize, but synchronizing is the rub. I like to fish and I'm not real interested in moving unless we're moving to a new place to fish, but many like to move for the sake of moving and they like a slow, caffeneated start to the day, whereas I just want to get in the canoe and fish.

I thoroughly enjoy sharing my experiences with others. But, I do not need to share with others and am very happy doing things by myself.

i'm not %100 solo,i go with my wife and buddys but out on the lakes when it's just me is a special time.i can lose myself in my own thoughts and enjoy doing for myself.
the fall trip with the East Coast Buddy was a major event but when it's just me i pack up and go in and just noodle around with no plan and thats very relaxing.
i have never see the movie or read that book but it's an example of a major screw up by someone with too much of everything but common sense.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I do a lot of solo tripping and I enjoy it. There are any number of reasons why people enjoy solo tripping. Here are some of mine:

1. I've always been comfortable with my own company. I don't always need other people to be with me in order to feel comfortable in the wilderness, or anywhere else for that matter.

2. It is so much easier to be spontaneous when solo tripping. Planning is easier and spur of the moment trips and changes are made much easier.

3. Compatibility and compromise is never an issue. Nobody elses quirks, travel speed, foibles, obsessive/compulsive behaviors, drama, etc. to deal with. No compromises necessary.

4. No dependency on other people's availability, degree of participation, planning or lack thereof.

I could go on, but there is no need. Those who have been there understand and there is no explaining to those who have not.

Solo tripping is my primary method of tripping, but when I see something spectacular, which happens to me on a regular basis on every trip, I just miss being able to share that awe and wonder with someone else. I've come back from trips and describe my experiences and what I've seen (even showing pictures) and my friends and family give me these blank stares. I guess I feel sorry for them in a way.

I've been single since my 25 yr old daughter was 1. I went through a time of feeling a rejection and had to work through that. I learned I could be as happy alone as with my kids. I had some other relationships with some "unhealthy" people and found you can feel more alone in those relationship than actually alone. I've had and have a good relationship with my kids. But when it comes to things like canoeing I'd never go if I waited for them to go. Not that they don't want to they just don't see it high on the priority list. I've made many attempts to bring people and some successful. But I also find a lot of satisfaction going on my own. Of course I've had Bernice my dog with me and it was always fun to see her connect out there. Looking like now I may lose her and looking ahead I will still go on my own. Selfish? I don't think so. I'd love to share what I see with others... But I'd never twist anyone's arm to go with me.

Honestly, about the only thing I find difficult is describing a large 40+ inch northern brought to the side of the canoe and releasing it, without photos. The more intense personal feelings are hard to put across even to folks who are there at the time.

butthead

quote OBX2Kayak: "I thoroughly enjoy sharing my experiences with others. But, I do not need to share with others and am very happy doing things by myself."

My feelings also.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I thoroughly enjoy sharing my experiences with others. But, I do not need to share with others and am very happy doing things by myself."

Agreed!

But in a sense, aren't we sharing our happiness through this website and these forums? OK, I realize it's not in the moment or in real time. Nevertheless, we're sharing our experiences and the happiness of those experiences with others on this site that can relate and/or envision these moments.

Just a thought.

Hans Solo

Another thought about the movie "In to the Wild".

The problem with movies like "In to the Wild","Deliverance", or even "Never Cry Wolf", is that they depict wilderness travel or forays into the wild as tragic, life threatening, or even a fatal experiences. The message of many of these movies is; "Do this and you'll be maimed, sexually assaulted, or die a brutal or painful death."

That's all well and good for many of us that engage in these activities, but to the uninitiated, these movies can be a real deterrent.

Canoeing and backpacking don't get much respect as it is. When you see a canoe or a kayak in a viral video, it almost always results in a swamping.

Additionally, if there's a movie depicting a backpacker, he or she is usually being chased by a bear, a wolf pack, or about to encounter some other unpleasant condition.

I've watched and enjoyed all of the aforementioned movies, but I think for much of the general public, it possibly sends the wrong message.

Just say'n

Hans Solo

quote HansSolo: "

quote OBX2Kayak: "I thoroughly enjoy sharing my experiences with others. But, I do not need to share with others and am very happy doing things by myself."

Agreed!

But in a sense, aren't we sharing our happiness through this website and these forums? OK, I realize it's not in the moment or in real time. Nevertheless, we're sharing our experiences and the happiness of those experiences with others on this site that can relate and/or envision these moments.

Just a thought.

Hans Solo"

Excellent observation and the more I think about it the more I concur.
It's sort of like the statement I made about those who have been there need no explanation.........so in the future I believe I will submit more trip reports because the folks here would understand those gee whiz moments better then anyone else I know.

quote HansSolo: "
Another thought about the movie "In to the Wild".

The problem with movies like "In to the Wild","Deliverance", or even "Never Cry Wolf", is that they depict wilderness travel or forays into the wild as tragic, life threatening, or even a fatal experiences. The message of many of these movies is; "Do this and you'll be maimed, sexually assaulted, or die a brutal or painful death."



Hans Solo"

I don't think Into the Wild was anything like the fictional Deliverance or Never Cry Wolf. First of all Krakauer did an excellent job of researching the story. The story is more about his relationships along the way than the wilderness adventure.

I don't think a lot of people commenting have actually watched the movie. Like I said before, I thought this might be just another Never Cry Wolf or Deliverance movie and was pleasantly surprised. It does provoke some reflection on our own experiences.

quote hobbydog: "

quote HansSolo: "
Another thought about the movie "In to the Wild".


The problem with movies like "In to the Wild","Deliverance", or even "Never Cry Wolf", is that they depict wilderness travel or forays into the wild as tragic, life threatening, or even a fatal experiences. The message of many of these movies is; "Do this and you'll be maimed, sexually assaulted, or die a brutal or painful death."



Hans Solo"

I don't think Into the Wild was anything like the fictional Deliverance or Never Cry Wolf. First of all Krakauer did an excellent job of researching the story. The story is more about his relationships along the way than the wilderness adventure.


I don't think a lot of people commenting have actually watched the movie. Like I said before, I thought this might be just another Never Cry Wolf or Deliverance movie and was pleasantly surprised. It does provoke some reflection on our own experiences."

This movie was based on a true story and was not sensationalized. I thought the challenges of trying to live off the wilderness were handled pretty well.

Unfortunately a combination of little events lead to McCandless's eventual downfall. This is often how people die in the wilderness. It isn't one big mistake that is made, but often a culmination of many small mistakes.

I would venture to say that there are not many of us who could really "live" off the land in the wilderness. We visit, but we are not required to survive. McCandless ultimately, was not prepared adequately to meet the challenge that he set for himself. He had survived a number of pretty stupid undertakings previous to this, but ultimately found himself ill prepared once the game disappeared and the river he needed to cross was flooded. He tried to leave, but was stuck. No game animals and no way out.

In his hunger and his panic he grabbed his book on edible plants and gorged himself. Unfortunately he mistakenly ate some plants that poisoned him.

It is not a sensational movie about the dangers of a foray into the wild, but rather a story of an idealistic young man, ignorant (as in not educated in wilderness survival), .....and tragically ill prepared. However, he's not the first young, idealistic and ignorant young man to tromp out to the Alaskan bush and he won't be the last. There's at least a little of McCandless in most of us......or was in our younger days.

I read the book but did not see the film.

McCandless reminded me of a hyper-intense version of some of the people (mostly guys) I knew when I worked as a trip leader in the 1970's, only he didn't have the outdoor judgment to keep himself safe and in one piece. They were crazy, but 'good crazy.' People who were just trying to learn about life and who they were through outdoor experiences, whether they really knew what they were doing or not. He just got himself in deeper than he could get back out from.

I went on an outdoor leader certification course in 1979, led by Paul Petzoldt, who was a founder of Outward Bound is the US. His main message was that judgment was the key factor in outdoor success. You can be skilled, but without judgment you still lack something. He defined judgment as the ability to apply past experience to current conditions. This was what McCandless lacked, and is what we all develop and practice every time we go outdoors.

A damn fine post, awbrown. I am in awe of the replies and the discussion that has ensued. I have nothing to add except "Amen".

im pretty sure im done soloing now because of the not being able to share thing. our 4 solos trips are so much more fun.

quote joe47: "A damn fine post, awbrown. I am in awe of the replies and the discussion that has ensued. I have nothing to add except "Amen"."

I agree!

Hans Solo

It's all in the eye of the beholder, I,m with Butthead.

I read the book back in about 1997 long before the movie came out. The kid was an accident waiting to happen. Like may gen X'ers he had issues with his parents and in his travels he found many people who cared for him but he refused their help because he was on a mission of "discovery". Eventually he discovered what he was seeking.

The movie was pretty faithful to the book, but I thought both were depressing, in the same way that watching a friend who is a drug addict, they spiral downward and it usually ends badly.

For those that don't know, I "lived off the land" in Alaska the same year (or within a year) of when Chris McCandless was there. We were both college-age guys but I think with different family and outdoor experiences. His story has always interested me.

We each had different reasons why we ended up in the Alaska wilderness living off the land and we each learned different lessons. Here's my take:

-Chris was running away from family and found wilderness.

-I was running to wilderness and sought family.

I thought we were kind of opposites until I read his quote,
"Happiness only real when shared".
I feel bad that he never returned from the wilderness to act on his realization.

So to answer Awbrowns question, "yes I like solo trips but they're never fun". McCandless has it right.

BeaV

quote BeaV: "For those that don't know, I "lived off the land" in Alaska the same year (or within a year) of when Chris McCandless was there. We were both college-age guys but I think with different family and outdoor experiences. His story has always interested me.

We each had different reasons why we ended up in the Alaska wilderness living off the land and we each learned different lessons. Here's my take:

-Chris was running away from family and found wilderness.

-I was running to wilderness and sought family.

I thought we were kind of opposites until I read his quote,
"Happiness only real when shared".
I feel bad that he never returned from the wilderness to act on his realization.

So to answer Awbrowns question, "yes I like solo trips but they're never fun". McCandless has it right.

BeaV"

Thanks BeaV. You've certainly "walked the walk".

I find solo trips (even solo moments) rewarding but difficult. Every time I am alone....I wish someone else was there to witness those special moments that I seem to stumble across.....

I would give anything to have my wonderful wife with me when I sat eyeball to eyeball with the wolf......or watch the otters play for an hour right in front of me.......or watched the muskrat sniff around my canoe while fishing on my local river....or saw the eagle snatch that fish right out of the water......or the bear that I bumped noses with on the portage........or the mountain lion I met along the trail in Colorado........or the Marten that ran across my feet while sitting
at the edge of the lake.....or the bear that set the land speed record crashing through the woods to get away from me on an early morning hike....or the eagle I stopped for in the middle of the road this morning..... precious moments in my short journey.....

When you share what you experience with someone else, you make those moments real.....not just some story....not just BS. Not some fantasy........

But I also realize that I never would have experienced these moments if I had not been alone..........

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. Thoughtful and introspective.

From you guessed it wikipedia :
Christopher Johnson McCandless (February 12, 1968 – August 1992) was an American hiker who adopted the alias Alexander Supertramp and ventured into the Alaskan wilderness in April 1992 with little food and equipment, hoping to live simply for a time in solitude. Almost four months later, McCandless's remains were found, weighing only 67 pounds (30 kg). It has recently, as of late 2013, been speculated that Christopher had developed lathyrism, caused by his consumption of seeds from a flowering plant in the legume family which contain the neurotoxin ODAP. McCandless's resulting paralysis would have caused a gradual inability to move, hunt or forage and this could have led to his death from starvation.

This guy has only distain for McCandless and those who glorify him. An interesting point of view.

quote AndySG: "
This guy has only distain for McCandless and those who glorify him. An interesting point of view."

And disdain for Krakauer.... which I think is misplaced. He did an excellent job of researching it and try to give a portrait of McCandless. We all interpret that differently and I certainly don't see him portrayed as a hero or romantic idealist. He broke laws all along the way. And as the writer in this piece admitted, he did dumb stuff at that age as well. I know I sure did and was lucky enough to survive it and learn from my life experiences.

quote AndySG: "
This guy has only distain for McCandless and those who glorify him. An interesting point of view."

The guy has a point but... McCandless pretty obviously suffered from some sort of mental illness and I don't agree about Krakauer glorifying him. It's been awhile since I read it but I thought it was pretty objective. The movie may have made him seem like he was on a spiritual quest and was noble but that's the movies for ya.

This guy who wrote the article sure seems like a curmudgeon to me. Has he been holding on to this for 15 years?

I've not read the book, but when I watched the movie I came away with a sense that he may have suffered from mental illness. I don't know of that's how the actor or movie portrayed it, or if that was reality.

I haven't read the book, have only seen the movie. It is extremely hard to write an absolutely objective book. I'm pretty sure that if Mr. Medred (author of the critical article) had done the same research on McCandless, his book would have been much different.

In addition, the movie that was made about McCandless was a movie, not a documentary. Folks will spend money to see Julia Roberts play a hooker, but they wouldn't spend money to see a typical hooker play a hooker.

I'm not sure what or who Mr. Medred's angry rant was aimed at, but perhaps he had seen too many lost souls try to find themselves in the heart of America's last wilderness and thought the book/movie would just encourage more of these types.

Awbrown, if you liked the movie check out the book. I loved the book but not the movie as much. Into Thin Air is another Krakauer classic worth reading.

I first heard about and read Into the Wild when I was living in AK. He really does seem to divide people in the same way Tim Treadwell did (the guy from the movie Grizzly Man). A lot of the Alaskans I talked to found both men to be naive and idealistic fools who more or less got what they deserved. Others find them to be, well, naive and idealistic, but also admirable in their willingness to abjure material possessions and "follow their dreams."

Interestingly enough, there's quite the debate going on (well, there was quite the debate, anyways) regarding what *exactly* killed Chris McCandless. Krakauer hypothesizes that he ate the wrong seeds--specifically, that he ate H. mackenziei when he thought he was eating H. alpinum. Yet both plants have been thoroughly tested by chemists, who have found absolutely no toxins of any kind. Another hypothesis was then forthcoming about how McCandless might've eaten moldy seeds that produced a toxin that, if eaten in large enough quantity, might be deadly. But there's not much evidence for that one, either.

Alas, it seems likely that Chris died simply because he was trapped by rising waters, couldn't leave his bus, and starved to death. Given the amount of time he was spending foraging, at least before he got too weak to do so, he needed a LOT of calories, and the stuff he was eating wasn't that calorie dense. For example, he did have access to tons of berries, but he would've needed something like 3 gallons a day to get enough calories, an amount that most likely would make you sick.

I could go on. Samuel Thayer, in his "Nature's Garden," explains the situation more thoroughly than I will. Interesting stuff.

quote carmike: "I first heard about and read Into the Wild when I was living in AK. He really does seem to divide people in the same way Tim Treadwell did (the guy from the movie Grizzly Man). A lot of the Alaskans I talked to found both men to be naive and idealistic fools who more or less got what they deserved. Others find them to be, well, naive and idealistic, but also admirable in their willingness to abjure material possessions and "follow their dreams."


Interestingly enough, there's quite the debate going on (well, there was quite the debate, anyways) regarding what *exactly* killed Chris McCandless. Krakauer hypothesizes that he ate the wrong seeds--specifically, that he ate H. mackenziei when he thought he was eating H. alpinum. Yet both plants have been thoroughly tested by chemists, who have found absolutely no toxins of any kind. Another hypothesis was then forthcoming about how McCandless might've eaten moldy seeds that produced a toxin that, if eaten in large enough quantity, might be deadly. But there's not much evidence for that one, either.


Alas, it seems likely that Chris died simply because he was trapped by rising waters, couldn't leave his bus, and starved to death. Given the amount of time he was spending foraging, at least before he got too weak to do so, he needed a LOT of calories, and the stuff he was eating wasn't that calorie dense. For example, he did have access to tons of berries, but he would've needed something like 3 gallons a day to get enough calories, an amount that most likely would make you sick.


I could go on. Samuel Thayer, in his "Nature's Garden," explains the situation more thoroughly than I will. Interesting stuff. "

Treadwell was an interesting character, also. I have a very hard time identifying or sympathizing with Treadwell. To make matters worse, he endangered his girl friend as well, so they both got eaten.

However...the world is made up of a lot of different kinds of folks and that's what makes it interesting. We don't all think alike.

I've never been able to fathom why anyone would jump out of a perfectly good airplane. But, I've done my share of stuff that many other's would see as foolish, too (like solo canoe tripping).

Good point about Treadwell risking his girlfriend's life.

Yeah, I've always found the animus against Treadwell and McCandless to be a little odd. I guess the anger and resentment have quieted down a bit, but I heard some pretty nasty things about both of them when I was up in AK.

quote carmike: "Good point about Treadwell risking his girlfriend's life.


Yeah, I've always found the animus against Treadwell and McCandless to be a little odd. I guess the anger and resentment have quieted down a bit, but I heard some pretty nasty things about both of them when I was up in AK.


"

Even though what they did was ultimately stupid and deadly for them, it wasn't exactly like their actions directly affected the citizenry of Alaska. Probably some of the animosity comes from them being "outsiders." This is a pretty universal occurrence. When we locals do something stupid nobody pays any attention, but when someone from somewhere else does the exact same thing, it makes headlines.

awbrown,
Thanks, I rented this after your original post and then watched it a couple times. It is a good watch, not so much about his trials and tribulations, but about what was going on in his life and mind.
I felt very sorry for his death, It seemed like such a waist, and the fact he really had no idea what the hell he was getting himself into.
Sorry for him and his family, really a tragedy in the end. I read quite a bit on the "net" about his family problems and such, and can see how this happened, but sad it did. I really have to agree with BeaV, solo tripping can be rewarding in the end, not always fun, but in the end life and times and events better shared. I think soloing cleans out the soul and cobwebs. Sort of helps me to "reset" my mind and put things in perspective, but not natural for mankind to be alone
SunCatcher

I've watched this movie many times. I enjoy his carefree, adventurous, and naïve spirit. I can relate to his search for something more, something he had to look inward to realize.

Alaska is an unforgiving place and a mistake there, whether you are an expert or not, can kill you. McCandless chose to discover himself in a harsh environment, but simply was unprepared to do so.

I'm not sure if true happiness can be discovered alone, but one can certainly find peace of mind, clarity, mental and physical strength, amongst many other important things.

Our lives are a journey and a circle. We start off pooping our pants, we end up pooping our pants.

When small children, we run to our parents at the slightest threat. A bit older, we shun them and run away from them at the slightest provocation. At five, mom and dad are our heroes.....at fourteen they are the axis of evil. How could they be so stupid.

As Mark Twain noted, at fourteen, our father's are the stupidest men who ever walked the earth. At twenty one, we are amazed at how much the old man has learned in only seven years.

McCandless paid the ultimate price for what all of of us go through....leaving the nest.

I look back upon my life now that I am 65. I can't believe how courageous my wife and I were when we were young. Knowing what I know now........but that is what makes our lives interesting. Facing the challenges and dangers of life before you are smart enough to know better. LOL

Good point, awbrown, regarding "outsiders." I was an outsider there, and I hung around with mostly outsiders (kids from the Lower 48 looking for "adventure" and/or money). Most people up there don't actually seem to be from AK--and, from what I've seen/heard/encountered, a lot of the kids from AK want to head south.

I do think you're right, though. There was definitely a sort of "good ol' boy" network up there...the tough guys, whether from AK or not, thought they knew more than everyone else (and that's probably right--they probably DO know more than everyone else). But they sure did like to pile it on.

I have read the book and watched the movie. I also read Into Thin Air and The Climb (different author, same Everest incident). I would not call the writing objective. It is based on facts but definitely includes a strong opinion/ perspective.

quote awbrown: ""HAPPINESS [is] ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED”
"

That's why you bring a camera and journal and share the adventure when you get back. I personally enjoy solo time, but I think I'd get homesick after a few weeks without any other human contact.

That same quote caught my attention in the movie as well. I do pretty much everything solo 24/7, not just canoe tripping. I do a fair amount of other outdoor traveling around the country as well and never have more than my dog along. I get along fine and enjoy myself but I really feel like I'm missing something and wish my brain was wired a bit differently.

It would be nice to have something/someone I wanted to come back to. Or even something that kept me from wanting to go in the first place.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "That same quote caught my attention in the movie as well. I do pretty much everything solo 24/7, not just canoe tripping. I do a fair amount of other outdoor traveling around the country as well and never have more than my dog along. I get along fine and enjoy myself but I really feel like I'm missing something and wish my brain was wired a bit differently.


It would be nice to have something/someone I wanted to come back to. Or even something that kept me from wanting to go in the first place.


Alan"

yeah, until you start to bicker or get nagged or complained at about something

it may SEEM to be better, often the reality isn't, when you are alone their is nobody to share with, nor is there anybody to ruin it

sort of, often I stumble across across others who put a smile on my face, you are rarely truly alone, and these strangers are often very friendly

quote nlong: "

quote awbrown: ""HAPPINESS [is] ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED”
"

BS.

Words of wisdom do not come from the young and dumb that are out "looking for themselves". They need only look within to do that. That kid had everything he needed and blew it.

It is true we see things differently with each eye. It is only when they work together that we experience depth perception.
So it is with people. When two I's work together the experience takes on a new dimension. Unfortunately when they do not work together that new dimension can be a bit crazy.

I take fewer and fewer solo trips these days for exactly that reason....I really enjoy sharing the feelings and observations in the north country w/ my wife and boys....and friends. Some have not experienced canoe trips into canoe country and I get a kick out of reliving my original excitement thru them....