Into The Wild: The True Story Behind The Real Chris McCandless

Plenty of films are based on true stories, including the 2007 adventure drama film 'Into the Wild.' The movie follows the life of Chris McCandless, who went out to explore the Alaskan wilderness in the 1990s and never returned home.

Chris' story is an inspirational one, but it's also pretty heartbreaking too. After all, the man passed away doing something that he'd been passionate about for years. Many have been fascinated to understand more about his life and what drove him to set off on such a dangerous mission ever since.

Chris McCandless wanted to explore the Alaskan wilderness but wasn't fully prepared

Wanting to explore the Alaskan wilderness is a noble desire. However, it's also pretty reckless if you're not particularly prepared. The environment can be incredibly dangerous, so having the right gear can make the difference between whether or not you survive. Unfortunately, it seems that Chris McCandless might not have had everything he needed for the trip.

It may come as a surprise that he was so underprepared, given Chris was no stranger to exploring the wilderness. It's something he'd been doing for much of his adult life, so he knew how tough it could be to make it in the middle of nowhere. Chris believed he could live off the land, but things didn't work out.

Two hunters came across an SOS note that Chris McCandless left behind

If you get lost in the wild and lose your life, it can be a while before anyone finds you. In some cases, you might stay missing forever. Thankfully, that wasn't what happened to Chris McCandless. Two hunters came across him on September 6, 1992, when they found his body hidden inside an abandoned bus.

The pair didn't actually know that he'd lost his life at first. That's because the first thing they saw was an SOS note asking for help. It revealed that he was weak and injured, likely on the verge of passing away. He also wrote that he was out collecting berries, although the hunters soon realized this wasn't the case.

Chris McCandless reportedly lost his life 19 days before anyone found him

The true story of 'Into the Wild' wouldn't be so heartbreaking if it had a happy ending. Unfortunately, while biographical movies might sometimes embellish the facts, this was something the 2007 film couldn't really change. Chris McCandless lost his life in the wilderness, and by the time the hunters arrived, he'd reportedly already been gone for 19 days.

The duo that found him initially thought there was a bag full of rotten food on the bus. However, they quickly discovered that it was actually just Chris' remains. The only sign of humanity left was the diary that was with him detailing his experiences in the wild. It offered an insight into his life that only Chris had.

Chris McCandless began his adventure by hitching a ride to Alaska

Chris McCandless might not have survived in the wild, but his adventure did last more than 100 days. Plenty of people without his experience wouldn't have managed nearly as long, especially on their own. Chris was determined not to have help, although he did rely on the assistance of another man to help him start his journey.

To get from South Dakota to Alaska, McCandless reportedly hitched rides from strangers. It was an effective way of covering distance when he didn't really have any money to his name. One person that picked him up was Jim Gallien. The electrician had no idea at the time that he'd be the last person ever to see Chris alive.

Jim Gallien was concerned by Chris McCandless' lack of supplies

Jim Gallien apparently didn't mind helping Chris McCandless out with getting to Fairbanks. However, he reportedly couldn't help but be concerned by how unprepared his passenger seemed to be. Jim allegedly feared that the guy wouldn't survive in the wild without many supplies. He had a right to be concerned, but Chris was apparently determined not to have help.

Gallien reportedly tried to convince McCandless to delay his trip or let him buy some extra supplies, but the explorer wouldn't have it. In the end, the only thing he allegedly accepted were some rubber boots and potentially some food. Jim hoped that Chris would give up on his adventure once starvation set in, but that wasn't the case.

Chris McCandless allegedly left his map and watch in John Gallien's truck

It appears that not only did Chris McCandless enter the Alaska wilderness with little supplies, but he also allegedly left some of what he owned in Jim Gallien's truck. Supposedly, his map and watch were abandoned in the vehicle, meaning Chris could only rely on the landscape for navigation. That had the potential to make his adventure more dangerous.

According to Chris' diary, which has been instrumental in piecing together the true story of 'Into the Wild,' it was the explorer's plan to hike to the Bering Sea. Doing this without the proper navigation tools would be tough, but McCandless believed in himself. That confidence had gotten him this far, and he couldn't afford to lose it now.

After twenty miles, Chris McCandless found a safe haven in bus 142

It was 20 miles in that Chris McCandless' adventure reportedly took a positive turn. This is where he found bus 142, an abandoned vehicle in the middle of a forest that offered him the perfect shelter. Sure, it was rundown, having been left in the middle of nowhere. However, it was warmer than outside and could keep the elements out.

It's fortunate that he found the bus, given McCandless allegedly entered the Alaskan wilderness without a tent. We know that he had a sleeping bag, as this is what the hunters apparently found his body in. However, that wouldn't do much without some extra shelter. Chris really was determined to live on the edge with this adventure.

Chris McCandless reportedly struggled to hunt down food in the wild

Unfortunately, this is where the true story of 'Into the Wild' takes a sad turn. While Chris McCandless did indeed have shelter, he lacked plenty of other essentials for survival. This included food. The explorer was more than prepared to hunt down his meals, but it seems he didn't have much luck catching anything significant.

Apparently, most of the animals he succeeded in hunting were squirrels and geese, which didn't offer much for him to eat. Although Chris did allegedly catch a caribou once, he never got to use it in a meal. That's because the meat allegedly went rotten before he had a chance. Things didn't look good for Chris.

The Teklanika River created a roadblock on the journey to the Bering Sea

Food wasn't the only thing that caused problems in the true story of 'Into the Wild.' While bus 142 was Chris McCandless' safe haven, it wasn't where he planned on ending his adventure. He intended to keep progressing through the Alaskan wilderness, but Chris encountered a problem when he reached Teklanika River. He didn't know how to cross it.

Judging by the speed it was allegedly going, crossing the river would almost certainly result in him losing his life. Although his Alaskan adventure evidently wasn't without its risks, there were some things that apparently even Chris wasn't willing to do. If he couldn't cross the river, though, how could Chris achieve his goal of reaching the Bering Sea?

Without a map, Chris McCandless had no idea how close he was to life-saving supplies

Chris McCandless reportedly acknowledged in his diary that he might have been in a better situation if he still had his map. With that at his disposal, he could have potentially planned a safe route across the river so he could continue on his journey. Chris also might have been able to see that there was salvation nearby.

The true story of 'Into the Wild' has some tragic turns, and this is easily one of the worst of them. It appears McCandless was only a mile away from a cabin of supplies and a hand-operated tram. As much as he might not have wanted to rely on help, the food that was here could have saved his life.

Chris McCandless decided to end his adventure but couldn't get home

After you've set your heart on something, it's tough to admit defeat. That was especially the case for someone like Chris McCandless, who reportedly had experience risking his life on adventures like this. Unfortunately, he apparently knew he had to give up on his mission or lose his life. So, Chris wrote in his diary that he was heading home.

Sadly, this is where the true story of 'Into the Wild' takes another brutal turn. It appears that McCandless was trapped because the river he'd crossed to reach this point had widened significantly. Thanks to melting snow and thawing ice, it was apparently now 75-foot-wide. He couldn't cross it, so he had to return to bus 142 feeling dejected.

The diary entries became less detailed as Chris McCandless grew weaker

History is full of famous diaries, and the one that Chris McCandless wrote deserves to be up there with the best. The document is the only thing in existence that can tell us the true story of 'Into the Wild,' given that McCandless isn't with us anymore. Of course, this diary isn't as informative as some might like.

It seems that Chris's entries reportedly became less detailed as time went on because he was losing energy. He was apparently using more than the amount he was consuming, leading him to become weaker by the day. The last words Chris wrote were on day 107, with the hunters not finding him until day 132.

Many assume that starvation was responsible for Chris McCandless losing his life

If Chris McCandless had managed to last for a few more weeks, he might have still been alive when the hunters reached the bus. If that had happened, the true story of 'Into the Wild' might have had a very different ending. Unfortunately, the explorer couldn't hold on any longer and passed away long before anyone could help him.

Most people assume that starvation was responsible for Chris losing his life. If he was unable to find much to eat and kept using more energy than he was putting into his body, then it makes sense. Starvation does some horrific damage to the body, meaning the explorer sadly might not have left this world comfortably and peacefully.

Jon Krakauer suggested that Chris McCandless might have eaten something bad

Although starvation is the general consensus, some people think that other elements might have come into play. Jon Krakauer, who wrote the book that 'Into the Wild' is adapted from, suggested a different theory. He believed that Chris McCandless might have eaten Hedysarum alpinum seeds, which ended up claiming his life, even though they're not meant to be dangerous.

According to Jon, Chris succumbed to the seeds because he was so weak from starvation. Had he been stronger and healthier, they wouldn't have affected him. From anyone else, this theory might have seemed outrageous. Krakauer is a man who knows all about the wilderness and its dangers, though, having been involved in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.

Scientists potentially disproved the theory that the seeds were to blame

Of course, without proper tests, it's hard to know exactly how Chris McCandless lost his life. It seems someone might have disproven Jon Krakauer's theory after they examined the seeds that he believed were to blame for the man's passing. According to them, there were no toxins or alkaloids present, so they allegedly shouldn't have harmed the explorer.

Although a scientist seemed to disprove the theory that the seeds were to blame, it's possible that they overlooked something. Ronald Hamilton reportedly suggested that Chris might have developed lathyrism that came about from ODAP poisoning. This could have been caused by the seeds and not identified by previous studies because they weren't looking for an amino acid.

Some speculate that mold on the bus might have ended Chris McCandless' life

There has been plenty of speculation regarding how Chris McCandless' life came to an end. Most of this has revolved around starvation or something he ate, but other theories suggest that perhaps the loss of life was tied to something else. Bus 142, maybe? Were the conditions of this abandoned vehicle so bad that they claimed a man's life?

The idea is that mold developing within bus 142 might have left the explorer in a bad way. It's well-established that exposure to mold can be quite harmful, with this particular mold allegedly causing digestive issues in animals. Therefore, it's perhaps not hard to see how some might make the connection between this and Chris losing his life.

Chris McCandless grew weaker in his photos but still managed to smile

Given that Chris McCandless disappeared into the Alaskan wilderness alone, where he eventually lost his life, we're lucky to know anything about the true story of 'Into the Wild.' It's not just the explorer's words that we have to fill in the gaps, either. Chris seemingly took a lot of pictures, which paint quite a picture of his life.

The progression of his photos shows how the man gradually changed during his time in the wild. However, something that always appeared to stay the same was his optimism. Even with the danger he faced and the acknowledgment in his diaries that he might lose his life, Chris never stopped smiling in his pictures. Despite everything, he seemed truly happy.

Chris McCandless had a history of adventure, including his 1990 cross-country trip

The challenge that Chris McCandless took on was a dangerous one that required skills, bravery, and determination. Fortunately, the man had plenty of that, given his history of traveling and getting into all sorts of scrapes. This included the time he allegedly decided to do a cross-country trip from Virginia to California in the summer of 1990.

Unlike in the Alaskan wilderness, Chris did have a vehicle - a Datsun - but it wasn't in great condition. It reportedly broke down repeatedly en route. What's more, he didn't have any insurance, and his license plates had also expired. It appears that Chris was very much living on the edge that summer, and things only got worse.

Chris McCandless ditched his car after a flash flood disabled it

Despite the issues that Chris McCandless faced with his car, he managed to make it to Lake Mead National Recreation Area around the borders of Nevada and Arizona. However, here he faced another problem when a flash flood left him unable to drive. Chris had to decide whether or not to ditch the car, ultimately deciding he would.

Although finishing the rest of the journey on foot would be tough, Chris didn't want to get arrested. After all, he didn't have valid license plates, insurance, or even a registration. So, he took the plates and left the car behind. Apparently, it ended up being rescued, repaired, and turned into an undercover vehicle for the police.

Some people reportedly suspected him of stealing from cabins in the Sierra Nevada region

It appears that Chris McCandless spent the last few years of his life doing a lot of traveling and living away from home. Towards the end of 1990 into 1991, he allegedly spent plenty of time in hermit camps around the Sierra Nevada mountains. It was a simple life, but one that wasn't without its problems.

Around the time that he was living here, there were apparently reports of cabins getting burglarized. Chris was apparently under suspicion for these crimes, although it was hard for anyone to ever prove that he was to blame. If he was responsible, Chris supposedly only did it when he was low on food or money and needed help to survive.

Chris McCandless allegedly made an enemy of the authorities while he was kayaking

When Chris McCandless left the Sierra Nevada region, he reportedly did a circular route through California, Arizona, and South Dakota. From here, he then allegedly traveled to Colorado, doing part of the journey in a kayak. Unfortunately, this earned him something of a reputation with the rangers in the area, thanks to his activity on the water.

It appears that McCandless might not have been fully prepared for kayaking in the conditions that were present. Much like in the Alaskan wilderness, he seemingly put his life at risk by avoiding the necessary supplies. Combined with an apparent lack of river training or a boat license, the authorities weren't his biggest fan. However, they reportedly never caught Chris.

A short trip to Mexico ended in an arrest because Chris McCandless had a weapon

There are some incredibly unusual border crossings in the world, but the US into Mexico usually isn't considered one of them. However, Chris McCandless found a relatively unique way to at least pass from one country to the other when he kayaked through a spillway at the Morelos Dam. Unfortunately, Mexico proved to be more than the explorer could handle.

Reportedly feeling intimidated and unable to support himself, Chris opted to return to the United States shortly after leaving the nation. However, he was arrested for possessing a firearm, which he'd apparently purchased when he bought the kayak. Luckily, Chris allegedly wasn't held in custody for long and was allowed to re-enter the US after having his weapon confiscated.

Chris McCandless was passionate about his way of life, even quitting his job for it

After returning from Mexico, Chris McCandless allegedly began making his way back to South Dakota, which is where the true story of 'Into the Wild' begins. At the time, he had no idea he was heading towards the end of his life, but the man didn't seem to have any regrets. He loved the way he'd lived his life.

Chris was reportedly so passionate about becoming one with the wilderness that he once quit his job as a grain elevator operator in South Dakota. Apparently, he believed that "my days were more exciting when I was penniless." He allegedly felt that his money made things too easy, which is why Chris lived such an adventurous life without many supplies.

Chris McCandless was apparently academically gifted in high school

For those who knew Chris McCandless, it might not be a surprise that his life ended the way that it did. The true story of 'Into the Wild' reveals that he was passionate about surviving on his own. However, this wasn't because he lacked any other skills. In fact, he was allegedly quite successful at school.

According to reports from his high school, he was academically gifted. Chris also managed to balance good grades with being captain of the cross-country team. That doesn't mean he always fit in with everyone around him, though. Those who taught him or were in his class apparently believed he “marched to the beat of a different drummer.”

After excelling at college, Chris McCandless donated all his savings and lived a simpler life

Given his academic success at high school, it's probably no great surprise that Chris McCandless ended up going to college. He eventually graduated in 1990 with double majors in anthropology and history, subjects that gave him a deeper understanding of the world. Some of the areas he reportedly excelled in included Contemporary African Politics and History of Anthropological Thought.

Having done exceptionally well, Chris could have easily built a successful career for himself. However, that wasn't what he wanted out of life. That's why he reportedly donated his $24,000 savings to Oxfam and began to spend most of his time outside, only working when it was absolutely necessary. Chris was much happier this way.

Jon Krakauer and Sean Penn told Chris McCandless' story through Into the Wild

Understanding the true story of 'Into the Wild' has shown the intriguing life that Chris McCandless led. It might not have been a long life, but he did more with it in 24 years than some do with 80. It's perhaps no wonder Jon Krakauer wanted to document his adventure and give the wider world an insight into the man.

Krakauer evidently made the right choice by writing 'Into the Wild' because it quickly became an international bestseller. It was so popular that Sean Penn ended up making a movie about it, which then introduced even more people to McCandless' amazing but heartbreaking story. These men made sure that no one would ever forget the explorer.

Plenty of people want to follow in the explorer's footsteps and travel to bus 142

'Into the Wild' becoming a bestseller and movie phenomenon was excellent for bringing more attention to the life of Chris McCandless. Unfortunately, that also had its downsides. As more people learned about his life-ending trek through the Alaskan wilderness, some decided it would be a good idea to follow in his footsteps. They wanted to find bus 142.

It's not uncommon for people to hear about a real-life adventure like this and want to try it for themselves. Many approach it with the mindset that they're more informed about the dangers than Chris was, so they won't succumb to the same fate as him. Of course, not everyone appreciates those dangers before they set off.

Officials have allegedly tried to reduce the number of people trekking through the Alaskan wilderness

Some would say that introducing more people to the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness is a good thing. However, that's only the case if everyone travels through the area well-prepared and with all the necessary information at their disposal. As this hasn't been the case, officials have had to intervene to stop people from losing their lives.

Over the years, they've reportedly made efforts to limit the number of people who can actually travel to bus 142. This isn't an easy thing to do, given that some will make the trip regardless. In a way, those people embody the spirit of Chris McCandless because he didn't always follow the rules when it came to his own adventures.

People might be traveling to bus 142 because they want to experience freedom

Knowing how dangerous it can be to reach bus 142, you might wonder why so many people would make the trip. After all, there's every chance they could get trapped like Chris McCandless was and end up struggling to survive. However, journalist Diana Saverin apparently believes that there's an excellent reason why people put their lives on the line.

According to her, those that follow in Chris' footsteps do so because they want to experience freedom. McCandless traveled through the Alaskan wilderness after quitting his job and choosing to spend much of his life surviving in the wild. Things don't get much freer than that. Some of those who travel to bus 142 simply want to replicate that feeling.

Claire Achermann lost her life while trying to cross the Teklanika River

If the true story of 'Into the Wild' has proven anything, it's that Chris McCandless' adventure was inspirational but also dangerous. It ended with him losing his life, so it stands to reason that not everyone who decides to follow in his footsteps will make it back alive. Sadly, there have been a few losses over the years.

One person who passed away doing a similar trek through the Alaskan wilderness was Claire Achermann. She and Etienne Gros were hiking together when the Teklanika River proved to be their undoing. During her attempt to cross the river, she was reportedly carried away by the force of the river. Thankfully, Gros didn't pass away with her.

Claire Achermann apparently wasn't trying to recreate Chris McCandless' journey

The dangers of the Teklanika River were a vital part of the true story of 'Into the Wild.' Anyone familiar with what happened to Chris McCandless should know the perils of trying to cross this body of water. However, it seems that Claire Achermann and Etienne Gros weren't necessarily on this trail because of McCandless.

According to Gros, the two of them weren't there to see bus 142 like many of the people who travel this way. Instead, they just happened to follow the same trail that Chris had all those years ago. Unfortunately, the tragedy is just as painful regardless of why they were there. Here's hoping people take something away from this experience.

Eddie Habeck successfully reached the bus, despite not initially searching for it

While Claire Achermann's trip through the Alaskan wilderness ended in heartbreak, that hasn't been the case for everyone. Plenty of people have made it to bus 142 and back in one piece, including Eddie Habeck. However, much like Claire, he apparently wasn't looking for the vehicle when he initially set out. He allegedly just wanted to hike around Alaska.

Eddie reportedly completed his journey in 2012 at a time when the Teklanika River was a lot lower. This made it safe for him to cross, so he didn't suffer the same fate as Claire. When Habeck realized he was probably near bus 142, he followed a route that would take him there so he could see it for himself.

Several rescue efforts allegedly happen every year on the trail to bus 142

It's hard to say for certain how many people have safely made it to the bus or even how many set out in search of it in the first place. According to Lynn Macaloon, though, the rangers usually have to do several rescues a year because people have gotten lost or injured on their way to bus 142.

Whenever a rescue effort is needed, officials sometimes have to call in the fire department and state troopers to help. It can be a big operation, which is why there have allegedly been efforts to reduce the number of people hiking this way. The fewer people there are trying to visit bus 142, the fewer rescue attempts that are required.

The Teklanika River seems to be the biggest issue for hikers traveling this way

The trail to bus 142 is dangerous, but there are times when it's safer to traverse. The weather can play a significant role in this, particularly with the Teklanika River. After all, a lack of rain or snow means that the river shouldn't be as high, reducing its power and therefore making it safer to cross.

It seems that the Teklanika River is the biggest problem when it comes to this trail. Not only did it claim Claire Achermann's life and prevent Chris McCandless from potentially reaching safety, but it washed away three other hikers too. According to the local fire department chief, he saw these people succumb to the river during his own hike.

Veramika Maikamava is another person who lost their life in the Teklanika River

Unfortunately, the body count in the Teklanika River seems to just keep going up. In 2019, many years after it potentially brought about Chris McCandless' downfall, the river claimed another victim in the form of Veramika Maikamava. She and her husband were reportedly on their way to bus 142 when the river sadly got the better of her.

It seems that Veramika was part way across the river when she allegedly lost her balance and fell into the water. The force of it was too much for her to escape from, and she was washed away as a result. Her husband reportedly recovered her body downstream, but there was nothing he could do to save her life.

Some people suggested building a bridge to prevent people from losing their lives in the Teklanika River

With so many people losing their lives on the trail to bus 142, officials knew they had to do something. It was no good having so many people discover the Alaskan wilderness if they were going to keep getting stranded or passing away. How do you keep people safe in a place like this, though?

One of the most common suggestions was to build a bridge. If people had a safe means of crossing the Teklanika River, there shouldn't be any more tragedies like the ones that befell Claire Achermann and Veramika Maikamava. Would that just increase foot traffic, though, potentially leading to people getting into trouble in other parts of the trail?

Bus 142 was moved to a museum so that people wouldn't risk their lives to see it

Instead of making the Teklanika River safer to cross, officials found a different way to try and dissuade people from traveling along this route. They had a helicopter come and pick up bus 142 and move it somewhere safer. Instead of people hiking through the Alaskan wilderness, they could now just visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

Bus 142 was moved in 2020 with the hope that many more people could be inspired by the true story of 'Into the Wild.' Those who didn't want to explore the Alaskan wilderness to visit this landmark no longer had to miss out. Meanwhile, everyone else could avoid risking their lives just to see the “Magic Bus.”

People continue to do the trail, even though bus 142 isn't there anymore

With bus 142 now in a safer location, no one wants to explore the Alaskan wilderness anymore, right? Wrong. While the vehicle might not be there anymore, the reason people were following the trail wasn't solely to visit the place where Chris McCandless lost his life. Many want to follow in his footsteps, which means doing the journey he did.

If people really are inspired to seek freedom, then it makes sense. Cutting themselves off from the outside world and exploring the Alaskan wilderness can give them that, whether bus 142 is there or not. They just need to remember that traveling this path with as little supplies as Chris had isn't a wise thing to do.

Some of the locals allegedly aren't happy about having to pay for continued rescue efforts

Officials likely aren't over the moon about people continuing to explore this trail, given it means that rescue efforts will still be required. Although these might not be as common as they used to be, they can still be a hassle as people try to embody the spirit of Chris McCandless. Officials aren't the only ones who are annoyed, either.

Apparently, locals aren't over the moon about the reported popularity of the trail. The money they pay in tax goes towards rescuing the people who get lost or hurt in the Alaskan wilderness. Some of them feel it's unfair that this is where their hard-earned dollars are going, given that some hikers allegedly travel intentionally unprepared.

Carine McCandless wrote a book about Chris McCandless because they were siblings

When Chris McCandless walked into the Alaskan wilderness, he was all by himself. That's how he remained until he breathed his final breath. However, just because he did this stuff by himself, that doesn't mean Chris wasn't surrounded by people who loved him. His sister, Carine McCandless, for instance, who wrote her own book about his life.

She had an insight into Chris's life that people like Jon Krakauer and Sean Penn could never have. The two of them grew up together, so she saw him become the man that ventured into the Alaskan wilderness unprepared and alone. Few people could understand why he'd do that the way that she potentially could.

Carine McCandless claims that their father had a drinking problem

A person's childhood doesn't define them. However, there's no denying that stuff that happens when someone's younger can influence them when they're older. For instance, with Chris McCandless, it's possible that his father Walt's alleged drinking problem might have shaped his desire to leave his family for the great outdoors. This is what Carine McCandless touched on in her book.

She didn't hold back to dealing with sensitive topics, like their dad's supposed addiction. She wrote about how he would sometimes have too much and take it out on their mother. It's a situation that's not uncommon, both in the United States and the wider world. According to Carine, it's something that made their childhood difficult at times.

Chris McCandless' father already had a wife in family before the explorer was born

An alleged drinking problem isn't the only thing that supposedly caused problems during the siblings' childhood. It seems there was quite a bit of family drama, what with the children reportedly being the result of an affair. Apparently, when their father fell in love with their mother, he was married to another woman with whom he already had children.

Eventually, the truth about their family emerged, and their parents reportedly made an effort to ensure that all the kids were involved in each other's lives. Of course, this situation was still a lot for the children to deal with, especially the notion that Chris and Carine might have come about from a secret love.

Walt McCandless initially tried to juggle two families in secret at the same time

To make matters even more complicated for the kids, their father apparently wasn't finished with his first wife when he began building a family with their mother. There was reportedly a time when both women were pregnant, with Walt allegedly dividing his time between the two families. He'd apparently be with one for several days and then switch.

It wasn't until Chris McCandless was four that Walt finally divorced his first wife, and the two families began to come together. It was even later that he learned about his dad trying to secretly juggle two families at once. When he discovered this information in high school, he was apparently quite upset. It supposedly changed a lot for Chris.

Chris McCandless apparently didn't have the relationship with his siblings that Carine did

It can be quite overwhelming to discover that you have a bunch of other siblings out there. For some people, this would be great news, and that's apparently how it was for Carine McCandless. She reportedly grew up having a decent relationship with the brothers and sisters from her father's first marriage. It was allegedly different for Chris McCandless, though.

For him, these siblings were supposedly a reminder of his father's betrayal. Knowing that the man was living a double life with him and Carine being a secret cut him pretty deep. He allegedly didn't have the greatest relationship with his father due to the addiction and abuse that Carine wrote about. So, this deception just made things worse.

Carine McCandless believes family drama might be to blame for her brother's disappearance

In Carine's eyes, it's highly likely that everything that played out with their family was responsible for Chris McCandless disappearing the way that he did. In places like the Alaskan wilderness, there's no room for family drama. He could have all the peace he needed to be with his own thoughts, away from anyone who might betray him.

Carine McCandless isn't the only one who's accused Walt of having problems. Some of her half-sisters have also allegedly witnessed him being abusive towards his wives, both past and present. If there was drama that Chris couldn't handle anymore, it would be perfectly natural for him to seek solace somewhere that none of his family could find him.

Sean Penn waited to make Into the Wild because he wanted the family's permission

The true story of 'Into the Wild' happened in the early '90s. By 1996, Jon Krakauer's book was released, bringing attention to Chris McCandless' journey and inspiring millions around the world. However, it was over a decade before Sean Penn brought Chris' story to the big screen. Why did something that was so popular take so long to adapt?

It seems it wasn't that the film took a long time to produce or that no one was interested in making it. Instead, Penn simply wanted permission from Chris' family first. McCandless wasn't a fictional character; he was a real son and brother. If Sean was going to tell his story, he wanted his relatives to be okay with it.

Jon Krakauer allegedly knew about Chris McCandless' childhood troubles when writing Into the Wild

It wasn't just the movie adaptation of 'Into the Wild' that the Candless family apparently had involvement with. According to Carine McCandless, she spoke with Jon Krakauer before the release of his book. Although 'Into the Wild' largely focused on his explorations, it also talked about why Chris ended up going into the Alaskan wilderness the way he did.

People like Carine could give him an insight into that because she knew her brother better than most. Carine allegedly told Jon about the issues they'd faced when they were younger, such as their father's alleged abuse. However, she wasn't ready for the world to know about that stuff yet, so she asked him not to write about it.

Carine McCandless' parents accused her book of being "fictionalized writing"

It's perhaps no wonder that Carine McCandless wanted to hold off on talking about the family drama. After all, when she eventually shared it with the world, she caused quite the controversy. It seems her parents weren't too pleased to read about the supposed abuse they'd put their children through over the years. They told ABC exactly how they felt.

According to their interview, Carine's book was nothing more than "fictionalized writing." They claimed that her allegations were "spiteful" and "hyped up" and that what she wrote had "absolutely nothing to do with our beloved son, his journey or his character." It seems they thought that Carine was being selfish by writing what she did about them.

Some family members allegedly criticized Carine McCandless for airing their dirty laundry 

It's maybe no great surprise that Chris McCandless' parents were upset about what she said about them in the book. Regardless of whether the allegations were true or not, it made their family drama public for anyone to comment on. For that reason, their parents weren't the only ones allegedly upset with what Carine had done.

There were apparently other members of the family who were equally disappointed because they didn't believe their dirty laundry needed to be aired in public. Most of her relatives were reportedly supportive, though. Carine allegedly had approval from her half-siblings, with Carine herself believing that she tackled the book in a respectful way without trying to blame anyone.

Efforts to discuss her issues with her parents before had allegedly never been successful

If everything that Carine McCandless wrote is true, she probably hasn't always been in the best place with her parents. Unfortunately, things will have only gotten worse since she released her book. Carine allegedly felt she had no choice, though, because her parents apparently kept dismissing her or her sibling's worries whenever they brought them up.

Before publishing the book, Carine supposedly shared what she'd written with her parents so they wouldn't be caught off guard. She apparently emailed them a copy of the book, but she never got a response. Is that because they didn't read it, or were they too upset by what she'd said about them? Either way, the silence didn't help.

Carine McCandless can't leave the past behind like her parents allegedly want to

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to leave the past in the past. Moving on is healthy and can stop you from repeating the same mistakes. However, it only works if you come to terms with the past. That's something that Carine doesn't feel her family has done, which is why she doesn't believe they can wipe the slate clean.

Even though her mom claims that they've left the past behind, thanks to their religious beliefs, Carine can't move forward yet. She claims that not opening up about things does "a disservice" to Chris McCandless. She also says that keeping things to herself is how people get "misconceptions about Chris." That isn't what Carine wants for her late brother.

Escaping into nature was something that Chris McCandless had apparently wanted

Carine McCandless is pretty confident that their family's drama is to blame for Chris disappearing into the Alaskan wilderness and never coming back. However, that's not the only reason he went off the grid to live a simpler life surviving on nature. Chris also did it because he's apparently always been passionate about the outdoors and wanting to have adventures.

Being Chris' sister, Carine was with him throughout his life, so she knows how much he loved nature. While the family drama gave him a reason to escape, he wouldn't have vanished into the Alaskan wilderness if it wasn't something he'd dreamed about. Chris could have hopped on a plane and moved to the other side of the world instead.

Chris McCandless apparently wrote about wanting to "divorce" his parents

Even if the Alaskan wilderness hadn't claimed Chris McCandless' life in 1992, that doesn't mean things would have necessarily improved with his family. It turns out that Chris reportedly wrote letters to his sister, including one where he talked of plans to "divorce" his parents. He allegedly sent this to Carine sometime after his college graduation.

In the letter, Chris talked of waiting for the right time to "completely knock them out of my life." He said he'd do it in "one abrupt, swift action" so that he could be "through with them once and for all forever." Presumably, that's what going on his various travels and ending up in the Alaskan wilderness was all about.

There's no indication of Chris McCandless ever having a relationship before he passed

Regardless of the strength of their relationships, Chris McCandless left behind devastated parents and siblings when he passed away. What he didn't leave behind, though, was a partner. It seems that romantic relationships aren't anything that Chris seemed to engage in when he was alive, prompting questions over whether he ever wanted a family of his own.

According to Wayne Westerburg, one of his friends, he did have aspirations for that one day. However, Chris also reportedly rejected the efforts of one woman's romantic advances during a stay in Niland Slabs. Perhaps he wasn't attracted to her, or maybe he didn't want to think about relationships until he was done with his travels?

Carine McCandless is hopeful that her book can empower others

Carine McCandless' book potentially brought some hurt to her family. However, it's also allegedly brought hope to others. To many people, the true story of 'Into the Wild' is an empowering one because Chris McCandless is a relatable person. It's hard not to take inspiration from the way he sought freedom in light of certain struggles.

Carine is hopeful that her book embodies that inspiration and compels others to try and succeed when they find themselves in tough circumstances. She also hopes that people won't see her parents as villains. While she might have alleged that they've done wrong in the past, they shaped her and Chris' lives, sometimes for the better.