Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Krakauer observe on the banks of the Teklanika River where Chris had been unable to cross?
What does Krakauer observe on the banks of the Teklanika River where Chris had been unable to cross?
The water looks low, too deep, too cold, and too fast; there is a gauging station.
What does Krakauer hear moving around on the bottom of the rushing river?
What does Krakauer hear moving around on the bottom of the rushing river?
He can hear rocks, the size of bowling balls, grinding along the bottom.
How is Krakauer different than McCandless?
How is Krakauer different than McCandless?
In his backpack, he has a map and came with three companions.
What sad discovery does Krakauer make just a quarter mile downstream on the river?
What sad discovery does Krakauer make just a quarter mile downstream on the river?
Discuss the hunters and the basket.
Discuss the hunters and the basket.
What questions did Krakauer have about the motives of Alex?
What questions did Krakauer have about the motives of Alex?
Discuss how Krakauer crosses the river.
Discuss how Krakauer crosses the river.
Discuss how beavers have changed the trail.
Discuss how beavers have changed the trail.
What did Krakauer not bring with him?
What did Krakauer not bring with him?
Why is Krakauer happy to not be alone?
Why is Krakauer happy to not be alone?
What happens at 9:00 pm?
What happens at 9:00 pm?
What did the bones outside the bus reveal?
What did the bones outside the bus reveal?
How do Krakauer and others see McCandless' death?
How do Krakauer and others see McCandless' death?
What mistake did McCandless not make?
What mistake did McCandless not make?
What caused the foul odor in the bus?
What caused the foul odor in the bus?
What comment does Chris make about the bear skull?
What comment does Chris make about the bear skull?
What is significant about the cloth belt Krakauer finds in the bus?
What is significant about the cloth belt Krakauer finds in the bus?
What happens an hour later?
What happens an hour later?
How do critics see the sin of Chris?
How do critics see the sin of Chris?
Explain the demise of Sir John Franklin.
Explain the demise of Sir John Franklin.
How was McCandless likened to Franklin?
How was McCandless likened to Franklin?
How does the arrogance differ between McCandless and Franklin?
How does the arrogance differ between McCandless and Franklin?
What is hardly unusual for young men?
What is hardly unusual for young men?
What does John Muir do during a rain storm?
What does John Muir do during a rain storm?
How did McCandless differ from Muir and Thoreau?
How did McCandless differ from Muir and Thoreau?
What subject is mostly written about in Chris' journal?
What subject is mostly written about in Chris' journal?
If McCandless was not a feckless slacker, what was he?
If McCandless was not a feckless slacker, what was he?
How does Roman see similarity between him and Chris?
How does Roman see similarity between him and Chris?
What does Roman hate to admit?
What does Roman hate to admit?
What do the late night conversations conclude about Chris?
What do the late night conversations conclude about Chris?
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Study Notes
Chapter 17 Overview
- A year after Chris McCandless' death, Krakauer observes the conditions of the Teklanika River, noting the dangers of its swift, low water.
- Krakauer hears bowling ball-sized rocks grinding beneath the river's surface, illustrating the river's turbulent nature.
Krakauer vs. McCandless
- Unlike McCandless, Krakauer carries a map and is accompanied by three companions on his journey.
- A crucial discovery is made downstream where Krakauer finds that a gauging basket, vital for depth measurement, is missing due to hunters cutting its chain to cross.
Questions on McCandless' Motives
- Krakauer ponders why McCandless did not attempt to cross the river again in August when conditions were more favorable.
Crossing the River
- Krakauer utilizes a Tyrolean traverse technique, securing himself to a cable to safely navigate the river.
Environmental Changes
- Beavers have altered the landscape by constructing dams, resulting in shallower water, which contrasts with McCandless' experience.
Lack of Preparedness
- Krakauer reflects on McCandless' demise, concluding he was unprepared for the wilderness challenges.
- Unlike McCandless, who confused wildlife, Krakauer notices that McCandless did not mistake a caribou for a moose, showing a degree of awareness.
The Bus Discovery
- At 9:00 pm, Krakauer and his group locate the infamous bus where McCandless lived.
- They discover bones outside the bus that reveal what McCandless thought was a moose was indeed moose remains.
Arrogance and Humility
- Critics label McCandless' actions a sin of arrogance, similar to 19th-century naval officer Sir John Franklin, who led to many deaths due to a lack of humility and respect for nature.
- While Franklin viewed nature as an enemy, McCandless approached his journey with a different mindset.
Youth and Recklessness
- A natural inclination among young men is to engage in reckless pursuits, exemplified by figures like John Muir, who risked his life during storms.
McCandless' Unique Motivation
- McCandless distinguished himself from other adventurers like Muir and Thoreau by aiming to explore the deeper aspects of his psyche in the wilderness.
- His journal primarily documents his struggles with food, indicating a survival focus.
Reflection on McCandless
- McCandless is described as a young man with unorthodox ideas who perhaps lacked practical wisdom.
- Roman identifies with McCandless through shared adventurous spirits and admits to a fear of finding himself in a similar situation.
Closing Thoughts
- Late-night discussions among Krakauer and his companions lead to reflections on McCandless' life and the complexities surrounding his decisions and ultimate fate.
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