It is a crappy day here in Indiana, so I watched the movie "Into the Wild"

If you haven't yet seen this , it is a must see for people of this site, even though there are no airplanes.

It is based on a true story about a kid who graduates from college and sells everything and goes on the road and eventually ends up in Alaska living off the land.

http://www.intothewild.com/

I watched that the other day. It's a very good movie even though no airplanes. everyone needs to see it

I found myself wanting to slap the guy most of the way through the movie.

Good soundtrack.

You have to admit it would be nice to raft down a river and be greeted by a topless woman...

Mongo wrote:You have to admit it would be nice to raft down a river and be greeted by a topless woman...

You can get that just opening the door at the Mina club

I haven't read the book, and I haven't seen the movie. I did live not far from where the guy croaked though, and I've been all over that country many times. Darwin had something to say about folks like that.

Krakauer made him out to be some sort of folk hero. He wasn't. This guy was just a misguided kid who got in over his head.

There are some folks in northern Alaska that really went "into the wild" and survived--in fact, they thrived. I know several of those folks, and I respect them greatly, and their stories are fascinating. Seems like nobody is interested in them.

Pick up a copy of "Ordinary Wolves" some time. Great read, written by a fellow who grew up in the wilds.

MTV

Before it was a movie, and before it was a book, it was a magazine article. And, due to the magic of the internets, you can read it here.

http://outside.away.com/outside/features/1993/1993_into_the_wild_1.html

Hello Backcountry pilots,
I read the book and saw the movie Into the Wild. A clear case of "natural selection" in my opinion. My plan is to fly to Alaska next August armed to the teeth (300 Weatherby Magnum), provisions for a month, and a iridium satelite phone too. Happy New Year!

James
Spokane

Mike-

I agree with you 100%...but I have to ask, you claim you haven't read the book, nor seen the movie, but you have a strong opinion about how Krakauer made him out to be. Where did that come from? Again, I agree with you, but I did read the book and saw the movie. I think the movie made him out to be some enlightened person (more so than the book). I just shook my head the whole time.

In addition, read Seth Kantner's "Shopping for Porcupine" it's a good book.

Chris

mtv wrote:
Pick up a copy of "Ordinary Wolves" some time. Great read, written by a fellow who grew up in the wilds.

MTV

Damn rights, reallly goood book..

I enjoyed Into the Wild too.

I actually liked the book, but had such a low opinion of that snott nosed, spoiled shit, that I couldn't bring myself to watch the movie. A couple clarifications; He did not live off the land, he merely died off it... big difference... And second, this guy was far from unique (except in his own mind) one evening on the streets of LA, Vegas, Phoenix, Reno, Portland (and the list goes on) and a person can find dozens not any different than this one

Living up north for years, reading the book, and watching the movie, I just keep shaking my head....

WIde-eyed idealism is great, and the world needs more dreamers and folks who think outside the box. But you gotta mix that with common sense and a willingness to work to make it happen. Especially in a place as harsh and unforgiving as Alaska.

It's like schoolteachers in the Arctic. I can't tell you how many I dropped off in villages every August. All rosy cheeked, fresh out of college. Ready to cure all the social ills of the native world with a little bit of book schoolin'. We'd chat on the flight up, and in the hour or so to get there, they'd get off the airplane madder than wet hens, thinking I was some knuckle dragging racist asshole and not fit to breathe the same air.

Come about November I'd get a frantic phone call at 0300 hrs... "Come get me out of here!!!!" They shot my dog. They surrounded my house, and they said they're gonna kill me! Of course it was always during a blizzard so I couldn't get them. I'd call a friend in whatever village it was, have them gather up our now not so naive young schoolteacher so the drunks didn't actually hurt her by accident, and make the run up when the weather broke.

All the good intentions in the world, but lacking the ability to see the world in shades of black and white.

Gump

chris:

I lived in Fairbanks when the book hit the streets, just a few miles up the pike from "the bus". The story, quotes from Krakauer, the movie producers, the stars, etc, etc, were all over the media there for months. I didn't figure I needed to read the book or see the movie, frankly. I don't think I missed anything.

Gump,

PM me with a mailing address, and I'll send you a book called "Yukon Blue", about a school teacher from the big city back east who landed in FYU. Great book, and a great guy. There aren't many of them that stick, but the ones that do are often really good ones.

MTV

mtv wrote:Gump,

PM me with a mailing address, and I'll send you a book called "Yukon Blue", about a school teacher from the big city back east who landed in FYU. Great book, and a great guy. There aren't many of them that stick, but the ones that do are often really good ones.

MTV

Wilco...

Yeah, don't take my story as all new teachers (and all cheechakos) being dipshits. There were some great folks up there who thrived in that world, and busted their asses to make a difference. And they did. And some are still up there doing. But, every single one who did survive was not some rose colored glasses wearing rich, spoiled kid. They were pragmatic, hard working realists, with good hearts and the patience of Job.

Gump

So true about the many wide-eyed, disillusioned, fresh out of school school teachers that so often come to Alaska's villages. Their education of life in a village is often quick, but you sure can't tell them anything prior to their immersion into reality. It's pathetic to watch, but somehow self satisfying to see them get a taste of reality.

I both read Krakauer's "Into the Wild" and later saw the movie as well. I found both entertaining. However, I haven't read a Krakauer book yet where he let facts get in the way of a good story. And worse yet, the movie embellishes the book's phony thesis. ... but along with all of his books, if not factual, they are indeed entertaining. It is just too bad that the average reader (movie goer) gets the false impression of what it takes to live and get along in the wild.

The cult following associated with the movie is amazing. We now have young people coming to Alaska and making the "trek" to the abandoned bus on the "Stampede Trail" in homage to the unfortunate young person.

james wrote:My plan is to fly to Alaska next August armed to the teeth (300 Weatherby), provisions for a month, and a iridium satelite phone too.

Now with provisions like those, how will we ever give the Hippies a new folk hero??

Seriously. Before there was Krakauer and "Into the Wild", there was Everett Ruess. Same story, different decade (1930's). Everett was never found but last fall, a Navajo Indian on his death bed told of a family secret in which his Father and others in the tribe gave young Everett a blanket party with real stones and hid his the remains in a cave. Hippies were outraged. Not because of what had been done to Everett, but because their peyote-party in the desert now had a purpose.

Every year, said Hippies gather in the desert outside of Escalante, UT. There is celebrating, crying, drum circles, peyote, visions, weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth....the whole 9 yards. All for the "lost" icon who wandered into the desert, ready for anything that life threw at him, er, for a while anyway-

This could all be for you James

As a contrast, I saw a movie on TV recently called Alone in the Wilderness, about a guy named Dick Proenneke who (if you can believe the movie, and I do) built a cabin (mostly by hand) in the wilds of Alaska and lived in it for like 30 years.
I saw the "Into the Wild" movie listed, thought it sounded like some sort of goofy "road trip" movie and blew it off. Maybe it's worth a watch after all.

Eric

mtv wrote:
Pick up a copy of "Ordinary Wolves" some time. Great read, written by a fellow who grew up in the wilds.

MTV

Thanks, MTV
I will have to check that out.
I guess coming from you fortunate few whom get to live in Alaska ( an man do I wish I could ), this movie would make you roll your eyes but I found it at least entertaining. As I am sure 58Skylane can also attest watching movies like Days of Thunder for us is quite a laugh, while I am sure others loved it.

As I am sure 58Skylane can also attest watching movies like Days of Thunder for us is quite a laugh, while I am sure others loved it.

Gawd, IMHO anyone who found ANYTHING redeeming about Days of Thunder (other than the eye candy, of course) is a waste of food and oxygen, and shouldn't be allowed to vote. What a piece of crap! Talledega Nights, on the other hand

Flynengr