This is a movie about Christopher McCandless. Chris was a star student and athlete who chooses to not go to Harvard in order to pursue a life of adventure and hardships. While the movie is great.

The reality is far different from that. The real Chris actually graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree earning a double major in history and anthropology. He was out travelling and meeting extended family when he learned that he and his sister were born out of wedlock.

This is believed to be the primary reason why he wanted to live a nomadic lifestyle. He wanted nothing from the material world. He chose to live on the road and eventually went into the wilderness. He had several experiences about which he wrote in his book. Some experiences were fun and really great. Other moments were absolutely dangerous and reckless.

His last adventure was in Alaska where he moved during winter. He camped there and hunted for food. He even salvaged an old bus and made it his shelter for the year. When summer came by he realised he was trapped behind in the wild because the river had melted on both sides of the land where he had camped and he could not swim through it because it was dangerous.

This was a foretelling moment because there was no food left on the little island where he was stuck. He survived for some time on berries but was so weak he accidentally consumed wild potato seeds instead of berries. This poisoned him while in starvation. Knowing that he was not going to make it he captured a self portrait not long before before he died. This is a sad ending that many don’t expect to hear. But it is far more complex than that because all stories come to an end and it has always been about the time between the beginning and the end.

Chris’ life captures the essence of adventure and free will.  It reminds us that we are not bound by societal norms and traditions. We are not bound by bureaucracy. It tells us that life can be lived well despite all of that.

He chose to move into the wild because that satisfied him. We don’t necessarily have to do that but in our busy lives we can find the time to get lost in the whims of wonder. There is nothing stopping us from exploring the unknown and being at peace for a minute as we stare into the horizon.

A life well lived is a life of pain, sorrow, joy and adventure. I am a strong believer of predetermination and Chris’ life completely contradicts my opinion. But in a way it doesn’t. I think he was meant to be there to show us what is beyond the opening of the cave. His smile proves it.