The Power of Adventure in Into the Wild Essay

The Power of Adventure

In the book, Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer, Krakauer writes about his failed exploration in Alaska that forced him to turn around after many setbacks. Chris McCandless, the main character of this novel is found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and his travels are retraced back through the two years he went missing. Krakauer explores McCandlesss motivations and experiences to recount on his own experience attempting to climb Devils Thumb. Most of Krakauers life was spent in and around Alaska, which was a major influence to write this novel.

Krakauers childhood was a life outdoors and full of adventure, which was brought on by his father. Throughout his entire life he had a passion for mountaineering and climbing, and inevitably gave him a motivation to write about the outdoors and climbing. McCandless shows some of the qualities that Krakauer possesses; he has no fear of what may come next, and has the guts to try anything to challenge himself. McCandless was a rebelled toward his upper-class society which raised him and ran away without a destination. He did this to find what the world is actually like without having to worry about a normal life. This was a life of adventure and there was no turning back. Once he made it to Alaska he challenged himself to live out in the wilderness away from the modern world. Krakauer traveled most of his life for the thrill of adventure, and one place he traveled most was Alaska. He had attempted a daring mountain on a route that no one had ever preceded. He failed, which is the story McCandless undertakes in his journey through Alaska.

Krakauer knows the drive to take on an adventure. McCandless was very much like his father, as was Krakauer, which gives another tie to who McCandless resembles in Krakauers life. Into the Wild is an exaggerated story of who Krakauer really is. He lived his life on the edge climbing mountains that would seem impossible, but he has a limit. McCandless on the other hand had the attitude to go until he could not go anymore, which lead to his death. Krakauer is trying to show that his life is full of adventure and death defying feats, but he trained himself to know when the road gets too rough. Both men are intelligent, but McCandless uses it for the wrong things. He believes his intelligence will prevent the dangers of his travels, instead of preventing himself from going in to those dangers.

Krakauer has come close to death many times in his climbing adventures, but he has learned the skill to turn around. This novel is the story of what Krakauers life may have turned out to be if he had not acquired that skill. McCandless used his great judgment, but could not realize that he was heading down a road without a turnout.