Chris McCandless was a complex individual who went on an incredible, or incredibly stupid, cross-country expedition to Alaska. In 1990, Chris started his journey by getting rid of all money and material things and changing his name to Alex. He then headed west without telling his family. Living as he chose, he wandered across America until making his way to Alaska to live off of the wild. Some believe that it was the ignorance in the lack of preparation of McCandless that lead to his tragic death, however, if it were not for a few major errors, Chris McCandless could have possibly survived. Chris looked very young, though he claimed to be 24. He had a scrawny, wiry look and only measured up to only about 5’7’’. His gear was “exceedingly minimal for the harsh conditions…” He had “cheap leather hiking boots… neither waterproof nor well insulated.” He had a .22 caliber rifle too small for large animals which he would have to eat if he hoped to remain very long in the country. “He had no ax, no bug dope, no snowshoes, no compass. The only navigational aid in his possession was a tattered state road map…” (pg. 5). McCandless was an independent person. When he realized he was getting close with someone, he would move on avoiding becoming too close. He had been raised in the upper-middle-class in Virginia (pg. 19). After he graduated from college, McCandless grew apart from his parents, not speaking to them in “nearly two years” (pg. 6). Chris McCandless had a benevolent and caring soul, even when he would not show it. He craved isolation, yet wanted to help those less fortunate than himself. . Though he was somewhat of a loner in the beginning, his mentality evolved with the realization that “HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” (pg. 189). McCandless yearned to live a simpler life, without all of the commodities that he had inherited unearned. Chris McCandless was extremely passionate in his idealistic thinking, wanting no more than he needed. During his school years he was an intelligent student. He was determined and would do any job he was put to, as he was “extremely ethical and set high standards for himself” (pg. 18), but his adventurous spirit always wanted to do more. McCandless’ hubris was shown when he rejected multiple individuals’ advice about his journey. His pride, or arrogance, was possibly his downfall in the end. Inspirational or arrogant, Chris McCandless was a complicated person. His life was immensely eventful and in constant motion. McCandless was a misunderstood person who just wanted to find a true purpose in his life. Though he was somewhat of a loner in the beginning, his mentality evolved with the realization that “HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” (pg. 189). Whether he was a fool or not Chris McCandless took on a difficult journey and performed courageous and respectable acts. He inspired others with his stubborn and idealistic mentality. McCandless died around August 18th, 1992. The last picture he took of himself, he was “smiling in the picture, and there is no mistaking the look in his eyes: Chris McCandless was at peace, serene as a monk gone to God” (pg. 199).