In the Beginning

"Alex admitted that the only food in his pack was a ten-pound bag of rice... he had no ax, no bug dope, no snowshoes, no compass" (Krakauer 5)

Topic: Inspiration or Fool?
     

In the beginning, it is said that a hitch-hiker named Chris McCandless, later re-named Alex, left his family without any notice to find himself. A few years later, he was found dead in Alaska by a couple of moose hunters. I think he was a fool for not telling anyone where he was or even taking better equipment. I’m sure whatever happened with his family could not have been so bad that he had to leave without saying goodbye or not sending a single letter during his journey. Although, he must have thought he was a smart man and an exceptional hiker, it is still common sense to take more food and water when hiking any trail. For example, before he died, he met Jim Gallien. Gallien offered him food, shelter and better equipment. It was wrong and foolish not to have accepted his gestures. I find it inspirational that he achieved his goals but foolish that he ran away from his problems for so long.