Outside Online Guests: Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild

You Are Here:

Home >> Outside Online Guests: Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild

Today's Question
How do you make primitive snowshoes? answer

What should you do if you get lost driving in a snow storm? answer

Today's Question
What is the greenest ski and snowboard on the market? answer

Can I really damage a coral reef with sunscreen while snorkeling? answer

What kind of dog will make me look manlier? answer
Is there a sport that safely combines my twin passions for guns and kayaks? answer
How come most of the world's cultures enjoy eating goat, but Americans don't? answer

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Jon Krakauer: Into the Wild

Chris McCandless, in front of the bus in which he died

In April 1992, 24-year-old Chris McCandless burned the last cash in his wallet and walked into the Alaskan wilderness for a soul-testing challenge. Four months later, hunters found his decomposing body.

Join author Jon Krakauer to discuss this haunting tale of wilderness tragedy. His new book, Into the Wild, tells the full story of Chris McCandless. What compels a young man to test himself in the wilderness? Did he have a death wish, or was he just unlucky?

The story affects
all who hear it
Writer Jon Krakauer tells why he became obsessed with the story. An author's introduction, plus audio interview.

The original article
Krakauer's 1993 report on McCandless generated more mail than any other article in Outside magazine's history. It was also nominated for a National Magazine Award.

PBS Interview:
Excerpts from the "Charlie Rose Show" Audio and images courtesy "Charlie Rose Show"/PBS


(.wav 354K) \| RealAudio(44K) He was a pilgrim on a journey to change his life.	(.wav 286K) \| RealAudio(44K) His farewell self-portrait is a brave picture.	(.wav 249K) \| RealAudio(44K) I didn't have a death wish, and neither did Chris.	(.wav 309K) \| RealAudio(44K) Risk-taking is a rite of passage in this culture.	(.wav 250K) \| RealAudio(44K) I reexplored my youth in writing this book.