Friday, April 2, 2010
McCandless: hero or fool?
The fact that McCandless didnt carry a map only reinforces the notion that he was a fool. Maps are not "modern equipment" and have been around to help sailors and explorers for a long time. I will admit he had some qualities that some of us should look up to. His love for nature and acceptance of most people are traits too few have. But he was a fool for venturing into the woods the way he did. There is a big difference between challenging yourslef and being prepared. Krakauer's own story proves that even though one is prepared for a journey it can still be challenging. Although his death is tragic it is no ones fault other than his own. McCandless should have prepared himself for the difficulties he was to face. A man as smart as him should have known what his end would be.
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I wrote in my blog about the fact that maps aren't "modern equipment" either. I thought it was arrogant of him to believe that he could go out into the wild without even the most simplest of gear, such as a map. Krakauer even admits that if he had had a topographical map like the one he had when he was exploring the area Chris was in, he could have figured out the areas around him that could've saved him like the close highway, cabins and the electric pulley that would've taken him safely across the river.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that Chris was a very smart man and he should've known it was important to have such seemingly necessary items as a map that would tell of all the rivers and highways,etc. If he had been prepared, he could've been lucky like Krakauer.