Chris McCandless: Bus 142 Theft Gets Deeper…Sean Penn Chimes In
October 9, 2007
Update: Click Here For Alaska DNR’s Response
I have recently been covering an interesting story regarding some items that have mysteriously shown up on Ebay. Those items of note, an instrument panel and a piece of mattress, were taken out of Bus 142 on the Stampede Trail, the same bus that Chris McCandless, the man behind the story “Into The Wild, died in.
It seems I have not been alone in this enquirey. You may know that I have tried to contact the Alaska DNR on this subject, as the bus lies on a DNR property outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. My question was “Is this an act of theft?”
The person in question, who represented these items on Ebay, Mr. Kasey Cory, has stated that he had only taken the items in an effort to “clean up” the area, and put them up on Ebay in order to stir a bit of controversy. Now it seems like his controversy may have been taken to far.
In Friday’s addition of the Anchorage Daily News there is an article on what has been taken place surrounding Mr. Cory, the community, and the local and state authorities.
The community says that the bus needs to go. The State says that charges could be filed against Mr. Cory pending an investigation, and Mr. Cory–well, he still has no idea as to what he has done wrong.
To make matters worse, Sean Penn, the producer of the newly released movie version of “Into the Wild”, has stated that he recently made his own trip back out to the bus and noticed that another theft had occured. Someone had stolen the pair of boots that were found in the bus with Mr. McCandless upon his death, and replaced them with a pair of their own.
The community says their concern comes with the fear of someone else dying or being injured out there, while trekking to the bus. They are also noticing a mixed breed of trekkers trying to share in Chris’ story. One individual has camped out on the Stampede Trail, with a bag of rice in tow, and refused any assistance from the community or authorities.
I personally think that as Chris’ infamous legend begins to expand and become that of mythic proportions–as we all know it will–that only more people will try to venture forth and trek to that bus.
The DNR and the State of Alaska have stated that if enough complaints come in, they will be more than willing to get rid of the bus–but first they have to get a claim of ownership, of which they have not done at this time.
In Alaska, it seems as if this story is actually bigger than the movie itself–Daily headlines have been pouring forth and attention is growing in this story.
I do find it quite interesting that a reader here at The Adventurist, Carol Falcetta–who I featured on a previous post for her nice photography of the famed Bus 142, has made a comment that she has been looking forward to seeing “Into the Wild” but can’t find it on a screen in Fairbanks. Two miles from the famed Bus 142 where Chris McCandless died. She is not alone though, this week the movie that has been garnering major acclaim has only opened in 135 theaters nationwide–leaving many of us to believe “what is the hold up?” . Knowing Mr. Penn, he is probably trying to build a slow following for this movie leading up to the Oscars–just a guess.
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Chris McCandless |
Jason, do you think this whole thing is getting a little out of hand? I feel that if the state charges Cory with the theft, which will more than likely be a misdemeanor, they better also file charges against those who abandoned the bus. Then the state should have to answer why they allowed the abandoned bus to be left there for as long as they did. This is working out in Penn’s favor in getting some free advertisement. And about the release of the movie, it has not made it here in our town in Glens Falls New York, Adirondack area. I wish it would hurry up.
I do think that the issue of theft would have never occured if Chris had not died on this bus. If the bus were just sitting there and no one had died, no news were made–I really don’t think anyone would even care. Lawrence, you have to remember that the bus was there before DNR took control of the property–it came with the property and at the time, before Chris’ tragic death, hardly anyone ever used the trail. Chris lived in the bus for over 100 days without seeing someone. I think they just left it there because they never really thought anything about it, that is until Chris died.
There was an interview with Neil Logman last night on the CBC. He is a member of the Chamber of commerce in Denanli, Alaska. He said that the decision to remove the bus, is to deter the onset of would be pilgrims that Denali expects to arrive after Sean Penns movie “Into the Wild” merges with popular imagination. Denali fears that others may get into trouble, trying to follow in Chris Mcandless footsteps. I feel this will not only destroy a piece of cultural legend, but also an artifact of true existential freedom. One can almost make the case of a religous relic being removed in haste, without much reflection to its actual residence in the minds of man, especially the western mind.
Jesse, thanks for your input. The Alaska DNR who has control over the bus on The Stampede Trail have told me that they have no plans to do anything with the bus at this point. In order for action to be taken, it would have to be approved by the DNR, the Fairbanks Community, plus alot of paperwork for the higher-ups. I think at this point in time the bus is safe. They did say that selling the bus to a prospective buyer would not be out of the question though. Then again, the same process would have to take part in order for the bus to be removed.
my class and i have read the book tellling about chris’ adventure. it is pretty amazing
How the hell did it get there in the first place?
It’s theft, vandalism, inconsiderate among other things to take items from this bus. It doesn’t matter if there is “ebay” value to the items, it (any useful structure) may have value to the next person visiting. Value can and is measured in convenience as well as sentimental.
I am a hiker/camper and if I happened upon a camp site that someone built or in this case dragged(?), it would not be too much to ask of me for the condition of it to remain the same after I left minus the elements toll. That includes leaving the instument panel or the bedding or a screw, whatever. It is all part of what makes the structure what it is. If you feel the structure should be changed or not be there at all, then notify the official in charge. Don’t take it into your own hands to make decisions for everyone that comes after you. And there will be people after you. And they may like to see and experience what you did. This is simple stuff here.
It never ceases to amaze me that people have in their mind that things like this bus only has value because of a movie or book or whatever. It has value because it exists and has exsisted for others to enjoy. Leave it alone! Take a picture! How dare anything be sold on ebay and represent yourself as just cleaning up garbage. How dare someone make that desicion for everyone else that visits to remove something, and then have the nerve to profit from it. It is purely being selfish and inconsiderate.
I understand this is the world we live in. If you don’t take the boots, someone else will. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s funny (but I am not laughing), after I saw the movie, I immediately thought to myself that no one will see what this man saw again. Selfish and inconsiderate people will make sure of that!
Nice point.
danny, to answer your question, according to Krakauer’s book, a company hired to develop the trail into a usable road actually dragged the bus out there on skids to use as a place for workers to stay. It was left so hunters/hikers could use it as well. Not much different shelters built all along the Appalachian Trail here in the East (although I’ve never seen a bus along that trail).
I agree with Kevin wholeheartedly. It never ceases to amaze me the entitlement that people feel they have in this world. This bus, made famous by a book and a movie now has become a somewhat well-known symbol. For some, that means making a personal profit from it, whether that be selling items from it or just taking those items for their personal collection. Is it any surprise that some of our world’s most famous attractions must be protected with fences, ropes, guards, etc. so unscrupulous individuals don’t decide to take “just a little piece” home as a souvenir. It’s not just our modern-day society either. We’ve pilfered and vandalized throughout our history. Heck, Lord Byron scrawled his name on the ruins of a Greek temple (I saw it with my own eyes).
I don’t know, maybe its just thoughtlessness. If some people stopped and thought about the impact of their actions, perhaps they would reconsider.
As for the bus being an attractive nuisance, I hope DNR and the local community do decide to leave it be. Interest may fade significantly as time goes on, meaning less people will be flocking to that site. But it Mccandless’ story and that bus will always remain a human interest story. I don’t wish harm to anyone else as a result of poor preparation or trying to recreate this story, but also, we shouldn’t try to protect people from themselves. In New Hampshire, every year someone dies attempting to descend from Mt. Washington’s summit. Why? Because this mountain, while no Denali, has some of the most unpredictable weather in the world. Its summit is also very easy to access via road, rail, trail. There are warnings at the top about the dangers of hiking unprepared, yet they do not bar anyone from doing it. So, every summer, some poor soul in flipflops and shorts goes wandering down the ridgeline trail, gets lost, and dies from exposure when a storm comes in. I guess my point is that we have to allow people to take some responsibility for themselves and not go so far to protect them from themselves, that we injure ourselves in the process.
Okay, sorry for the long post.
Kasey Cory is an inconsiderate idiot as well as the person who “traded” boots with McCandless i wish some people could just think about their actions and let things be, now they ruined the trip for the rest of us who plan on visiting Bus 142 we wont be able to see and feel everything the previous visitors felt emotionally and physically. Very immature of me to say but i’d seriously beat the shit out of Kasey and the boot trader if they were ever in front of me.
I don’t think Chris McCandless is a hero or a jerk. I think he had a goal and he succeeded.
I really liked his sentiment but the fact that the tram was so close by, his journey seems a bit less brilliant. I am positive though that Chris would cringe knowing the fact that the bus is a tourist destination. People … go find your own path in life. While watching the film I continually asked myself … is he crazy or a genius. I guess the definition is a fine line. I am still unsure but so very intrigued by his story and life.
“Chris” as you existentialists have begun to enshrine him as, died in a bus that was not his in a “cuase” unique to him in no way. The thought that the bus is now comparable to a relgious relic is as absurd as the idea of religious relics of any kind. The bus should be moved and smelted and you “Chris” worshipers should study long and hard his last messages - then try to live up to them. In the end he understood - try to do the same without starving to death “into the wild’ or at the local MacDonalds, fools.
Do we know anything further of the removal of the bus? Where can I go to find this out?
Hey Cameron-
Good question. At this time, the bus has not been removed-there is a huge process that has to be undertaken before the bus could possibly be removed. Alaska DNR who owns the property has stated that they had no intention of moving the bus, as long as a motion was not set forth to do so. Which it hasn’t been–so that is good.
Cheers-
Jason Hendricks
Editor
The Adventurist
I have finally now read the book, and of course also seen the movie. There will always be naysayers who view McCandless’s odyssey, or any unfortunate outdoor endeavor, as inherently meaningless if it results in tragedy/death. To the end of the grief it caused his parents, the folks who had to haul out/indentify his carcass, and the increased intrusion to this isolated park/hunting area, I would agree.
However, for those who have read the book, I strongly believe McCandless would have rather survived. Aside from the benefit of sidestepping death itself, I don’t think he would have liked what the publication of his story has resulted in.
I can understand why Alaskans might not understand why a man would follow such as path, but for me (currently in Los Angeles) I understand all too well. I grew up in Fresno, 45 minutes for Kings Canyon/Sequoia and 1.5 hours from Yosemite. Yet, this is California, and with more inhabitants than any other state, it is suffocating.
I don’t revere McCandless by any measure, but I can appreciate his longing for simplicity and a return to a more pure existence - even if this existence is ultimately unsustainable.
Does anyone have directions to the bus. I have pulled together all the bits and pieces from books, article, etc. I would still like some directions from someone who knows how to get there.
Thanks.
The bus is from the 1940’s, I read up on it from some site and found out people were trying to build out there and figured they couldn’t, so dumped their bus there… again I read up on it on the net, could be true, could be false.
Someone said that Chris would be upset that people now go out there and visit… I think if he found out Hollywood took his life and polished it up then put it on the big screen, he wouldn’t care one bit about people visiting the bus..
Drake- I do know that the GPS coordinates to Bus 142 are found in the comments section to one of the posts I have made, just not sure which one…haha…there are also many other places on the internet that offers up directions.
Dave- In regards to the bus, it is my understanding that a mining company left it there, this is through the Alaska DNR.
If anyone should profit off this, it should be the Alaska DNR who maintain the area and allow access. If it has become such a big site for trekkers and hikers, then perhaps they should look into offering it up for protection, could generate people into the area for years to come–just a thought.
[...] in the wild. He crosses the mostly frozen Teklanika River on foot to arrive at the abandoned Fairbanks Bus No. 142 that becomes his campsite. In July he decides to reenter civilization–but the Teklanika, [...]
Clue: everyone’s existence is ultimately unsustainable.