Lifeline—that’s how one of my fellow hikers described the book “Into the Wild” while we were climbing the highest peak in the Philippines years ago. He discussed how life-changing the thoughts of Christopher McCandless (or Alexander Supertramp) were. And how the book guided him in pursuing a life that truly matters.
Because of my curiosity, he lent me his book (in exchange for Khaled Hosseini’s And the Mountains Echoed), and true to his words, Christopher McCandless etched his spirit of adventure into my system after I read the book for the first time.
Because of our busy schedules, we weren’t able to return each other’s books. During this pandemic, I had a chance to ransack my shelf once again and find his precious lifeline. I don’t know if it’s because I have been home quarantined for a long time, but his words truly sound different now.
Summary of Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild
Back in 1996, Jon Krakauer told the vivid tale of Christopher McCandless in “Into the Wild.” McCandless, a young man found dead in an Alaska bus in 1992, embarked on a solo backpacking journey after graduating from Emory University in 1990.
After his car got stuck in a flood, he began traveling by foot. He hitchhiked to Fairbanks, Alaska, and despite having limited supplies and incomplete gear, he hiked the infamous Stampede Trail. Living in an abandoned bus, he sadly died there due to starvation (food poisoning).
10 Inspiring Quotes from ‘Into the Wild’
Here are some of the quotes that I truly love from Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild.
1. “The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
2. “So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure.”
3. “It is important in life not to be strong, but to feel strong, to measure yourself at least once.
4. “If you want something in life, reach out and grab it.”
5. “Happiness is only real when shared.”
6. “The core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences.”
7. “Don’t settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, and make each day a new horizon.”
8. “But in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure.”
9. “Don´t hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses. Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did.”
10. “The core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences. And there you are stubborn old man, sitting on your butt.
What are you reading lately? Have you checked out Christopher McCandless’ story? Seen the movie? How did you find it? Any particular words of his that resonated with you? Feel free to share your thoughts below!
Dakilanglaagan 