Chris McCandless

  • Chris is Born

    Born in El Segundo, California
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    High School

    Earned all A's except for an F in physics, led his school's cross country team, began developing his political stances that would influence him later in life.
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    College Years

    Cuts family ties due to fathers infidelity, co-founds the "Emory Wheel", and took road trips whenever possible
  • Chris Graduates from Emory

    Chris graduates and donates his savings to OXFAM. Earns degree in anthropology with a 3.72 GPA
  • Graduates from Emory

    Chris Graduates from Emory and donates his savings to non-profits.
  • Chris Heads West

    Chris heads west, ditches his car after a flash flood soaks the engine in Arizona, leaves all his belongings in the car
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    Travels pt 1

  • Alex Supertramp

    Chris begins wandering and goes by the name Alex Supertramp, works for Crazy Ernie for a period, meets Jan in California
  • South Dakota

    Chris hitches a ride to South Dakota and works for Wayne for a period until Wayne is arrested, Chris heads to Mexico after Wayne gets arrested
  • Mexico

    Chris heads to Mexico and crosses the border in a cheap kayak, tries to reach the Gulf Coast but is blocked by swamps. Local Mexicans give him a ride to the coast where he explores. Later ditches the kayak and heads back to the US
  • Short Break

    Chris settles down in Bullhead City, Arizona and gets a job at the local McDonalds
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    Travels pt 2

  • The Slabs

    Chris reunites with Jan and heads to the Slabs, a hub for tramps. Helps to work Jan's stand at the flea market and constantly talks about his adventures. Eventually gets stir crazy and leaves
  • Franz

    On the way to Carthage, Chris sets up camp in Salton City, California. There he meets Ronald Franz who instantly takes Chris
  • Hobo Time

    Chris tries train hopping but gives up and asks Franz for a ride to Colorado. After arriving in Colorado, Chris heads north to Carthage, South Dakota where he goes back to working for Wayne.
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    Great Alaskan Odyssey

  • Fairbanks

    Chris finally arrives in Fairbanks, Alaska
  • Stampede Trail

    Arrives at Stampede Trail after getting a ride from Jim Gallien.
  • Magic Bus Day

    Chris crosses the Teklanika River and after hiking arrives at the bus
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    Good Hunting

    Chris has six weeks of good hunting. Chris tries to continue on the Stampede Trail but can't, makes the bus his center of living. Chris kills a moose but can't preserve it in time, feels bad about a needless killing.
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    Downfall

    Alex survives eating small game, local berries, and roots. In late July he begins eating the seeds of the potato root which possibly poisoned him, leading to his death
  • Day 112

    Alex dies on day 112 of his Alaskan Odyssey
  • The Body

    Six people happened across the bus and found Chris McCandless's body