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Chris McCandless' Bus an unlikely tourist attraction
Chris McCandless, the famous vagabond and subject of Sean Penn's new film, Into the Wild, is perhaps best known for living out of an abandoned bus in the Alaskan Wilderness in the early 90s. He hiked to the middle of nowhere of his own accord, despite warnings from concerned locals, and lived off the land for a number of months. On September 6, 1992, two hikers found the bus, and on the outside, a note that read: SOS. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out of here. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August?
Unfortunately they were too late. McCandless had been dead for two weeks.
The bus was strategically placed on the Stampede Trail to provide refuge for hunters better equipped for the Alaskan wilderness than McCandless. But since the publication of the book the movie was based on, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, wayward travellers, mostly young men, have been romanticizing McCandless' story and re-enacting his journey. And now, amidst worries that even more fans will flock to the site, located about 25 miles from the town of Healy, locals are considering moving it.
Moving it is a problem of it's own, since they can't just drive it out of there. And it's a shame to take away a refuge for legitimate hunters who are equipped for the wilderness, just because some lost souls have a morbid curiosity to see the deathbed of their ill-placed hero. Thoughts?
Moving it is a problem of it's own, since they can't just drive it out of there. And it's a shame to take away a refuge for legitimate hunters who are equipped for the wilderness, just because some lost souls have a morbid curiosity to see the deathbed of their ill-placed hero. Thoughts?
Filed under: Hiking, Stories, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Janelle Oct 31st 2007 11:49AM
It's an interesting question - airlift out the pilgrims who get stuck out there at over $2,000 a pop (paid by the state) or airlift out the entire bus and remove the problem altogether? Intelligent Travel looked at it here:
http://intelligenttravel.typepad.com/it/2007/10/into-the-wild-t.html#more
Sara Nov 8th 2007 10:20AM
A thought about the bus issue. I understand that many people will want to flock to this location to see the bus, it's just an experience that people want to be a part of, you can't blame them for that. It's just like Elvis' home in Graceland. Maybe, although it's an absolutely wonderful story and I'm glad I've been given the chance to 'see' it rather than just simply 'read' it, there shouldn't have been a movie made about it.. how many people have run to see the bus after reading the book? But, since there is a movie and there is a concern for a potential problem, impose a law. Provide guided tours as to keep the number of people under control, create a virtual tour, impose a webcam, etc. These are just a few ideas because I agree that the bus shouldn't have to be moved because it is there for a legitimate and useful purpose. Good Luck.
Nikki Dec 6th 2007 12:35AM
Please do not remove Chris McCandless Bus. It is his shrine. He was a good person who was courageous enough to live out his dream. He didn't harmed anybody. Please do not disturb his resting place. Please show some respects. Thank you.