Chris McCandless Bus 142 Theft: Alaska Department of Natural Resources Responds
October 10, 2007
I have finally recieved a response from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The information in question regards the recent thefts that have occured on Bus 142–the bus where Chris McCandless died in the Alaska wilderness.
This letter is pretty interesting and does answer all of the questions that I raised concerning this issue. Publicly, I would like to thank Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources on their response in this matter and for the fast reply.
Now the letter in full:
Jason,
Your request for information on Bus 142 was forwarded to me. Thanks for your offer of information on the identity of the person who sold a part of the bus on ebay. There have been articles in Alaskan papers that identify this individual, so we probably don’t need any additional information. If we do, we’ll get in touch with you.
Following are answers to your questions:
Since this bus was abandoned, does the Department of Natural Resources now have owner jurisdiction?
Yes, it is now State property, since it has been abandoned on State property for more than 40 years.
If so, if someone happened to steal a piece of the bus and sell it, would that not constitute theft from the DNR?
Technically, since the bus is State property, any vandalism of the bus is a criminal offense. However, DNR is not actively pursuing any prosecution at this time.
By the way, has traffic picked up in the area of the bus since “Into the Wild” was released?
Travel to the site does not require any permits from DNR. Therefore, we do not have any data that would indicate that traffic has increased. Certainly, public awareness of the Chris McCandless story and the bus has increased with the release of the movie. It would not be surprising if the traffic did indeed pick up.
Do you guys have any future plans for the bus?
As you know, there are a variety of opinions on what should happen to the bus. Some believe that it should be moved to Healy in an effort to prevent future travelers from experiencing accidents in their quest to reach the bus. Others believe that the bus should not be moved. To date DNR has not received any requests for action regarding the bus. The current policy is that DNR will not move the bus. If DNR receives a request for purchase or removal of the bus, DNR will process the request through a public process, where the public has an opportunity to provide input.
Gary Shultz
Natural Resource Manager
Division of Mining, Land and Water
So, there we have it. Alaska’s DNR does own the bus. Vandalism to the bus is a criminal offense. And no charges are being sought…
End of story? Possibly. I am personally still a bit curious on how a crimminal offense can occur–yet no charges be filed.
What are your opinions on this matter?
It is also mentioned that the DNR must recieve a complaint about the bus or a prospective buyer in order for actions to be taken to remove the bus. At this time, neither have occured.
As it sits now, the bus will stay exactly where it is at. I am sure this controversy will continue on concerning Bus 142, but hopefully something will be done before it is to late.
Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Chris McCandless |
Hello Jason,
As I fear that the bus 142 might be moved away due to more people travelling up there, I would like to have the exact GPS data in reference to the bus location.
Best Regards,
Richard from Switzerland.
I feel that the person (named “Kevin”) who sold parts of the bus on eBay for profit should be ashamed. It’s one thing to grab a souvenir even if it is illegal, but the intentions are totally different when you intend on selling it for profit. Although the movie was very good, there was already a book about McCandless’ story and I felt that truly was enough about his tragic story. I hoped to visit there one day in peace and enjoy the serenity, but now I fear that it will become a tourist site, the bus then could face being moved or sold or just junked. It’s really just going to be a sad fate for a great history if people continue to handle the situation as it is right now. Oh, and map coordinates for Richard:
Coordinates: 63°52′4″N 149°46′16″W
Have fun looking for it on Google Earth!
Thanks.
Tati from NC
I think that the only people who deserve to see the bus are those who are willing hike out to it. The experience would be much more rewarding than waiting in line as people come and go. This summer I will be living in Healy and hope to hike out to it and treat it like it is supposed to me treated.
Wish me luck
Nate from MI
Iv’e always been inspired by mccandless’s story. I read the book “into the wild” several times in high school. I thought the movie was great also. I will be visiting the bus sight soon. I can’t believe how disrespectful and selfess people can be. I think the bus should stay just where it’s at. It’s bad enough people are stealing shit from the bus, it wouldn’t be an adventure if you moved the bus.
jenny from IN
Jason,
Thank you for posting that information. It provided some answers that I was looking for.
I coudn’t agree any more with Nate’s comment. Those who deserve to see the bus are those willing to hike to it. Like most hiking destinations, it is an experience that must be earned. The bus itself, I believe, should be treated much like a sunken vessel (with loss of life), a sort of grave site. See it, experience it, and respect it by leaving no trace of your visit. Good luck in AK, Nate.
In reguards to Tatiana’s comment, Wikipedia lists slightly different coordinates:
63 51′36.13N 149 24′50.62W
Though I cannot confirm if either set of coordinates is correct, it is worth noting that Tati’s coords’ are on the west side of the Teklanika river, while Wikipedia’s are on the east. Resolution in that area is not very good on Google Earth, so no chance of seeing the bus by those means. Interesting, though, that I cannot find any picture posts of the bus on Google Earth. I would think that someone would have posted one by now. Hopefully, I will make it to AK sometime in the reasonable future and get to see it for myself, but that’s a long way from Detroit!
Thanks,
Brandon from MI
Me again,
Just wanted to mention something about what I posted yesterday.
Further investigation leads me to beleive that Tatiana’s coordinates are probably correct. Here is a good article about McCandless from The Anchorage Daily News: http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/mccandless/story/9362499p-9276005c.html
Within this article there is a map (click to enlarge) showing the location of the bus. Tatiana’s coordinates are spot on — I never doubted you, Tati!
– B out –
Hey there,
Just wondering if there is any way to get in contact with someone who lives around Healy that is willing to give advice on how to get to the bus. I have planned a trip to Alaska sometime this summer, and I want to take a hike to the bus while I am there. I will just be by myself, no intent on disturbing a single thing - I would just like some information on getting there, and when the best time to go would be.
Thanks so much,
Tys.
Alberta, Canada.
Hey Tys,
There are many online resources for this information, as far as how and when the best time would be. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources are the ones who manage and own the property. My suggestion would be to contact them. I have talked to them about the bus personally and they are more than happy to help. Just type in Alaska DNR into any search engine..
By the way, if you make the journey, I might be interested in a trip report about your trek and the bus. Let me know.
Cheers-
Jason Hendricks
Editor
The Adventurist
Hey Jason,
Thanks for the quick response. I will definitely contact the Alaska DNR about the trek to the bus, and I would be happy to be part of a trip report if you are interested.
I will be graduating from University this spring, and I have elected to take the year off to travel before I go back for another degree. Alaska is one of my first priorities so I am really hoping to get out there before the end of the summer, or September at the latest.
I will let you know what the DNR says.
Thanks again,
Tys.
And turned into a movie, people believe that a person is something special, above all others and what they did was perfect. That bus is not a shrine, it was a trap and a coffin for a young man that did not know what he was doing.
People are so weird, they turn someone into an icon that did nothing but go out and die. People do that every day, if you want to make an icon out of a dead person, please make sure that their life actually made a difference to people and were a good example to follow.
I think the last writer needs to look deeper into this saga to fully appreciate the bus and its’ meaning. Yes, it is a coffin but so was the Titanic yet that story fascinates many to this day. The fascination with Chris McCandless comes more from where he came from and what his circumstances were rather than simply his death. He had a tremendous affect on many due to his intellect, forsight and outlook on the world. The fact that he could have been a great contributor to society but died so needlessly speaks volumes about the significance of his short life. Ironically, when he finally found what he was searching for, it was too late and he was unable to return to civilization to lead a fullfilling and inspired life. So I believe that this saga is more about what Chris McCandlesse’s life could have been rather than what it ended up to be.
who was the ebays ebay id I am an ebayer and want to monitor them thanks
gabriel
ps i sit here teared up as hell for that young boy who died
This story is so moving. Once it gets inside of you it is hard to get it out. I really want to travel to Alaska. This would be my first big adventure of this kind. I would like to find another to hike out to the bus with me. I am wondering if others are going from MN or midwest to make this trek.
contact me. Thanks
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the post and glad to see you are making plans to head out to Alaska. Everyone should go on a big adventure once in their lives, no matter the inspiration. You did ask for someone to contact you though in regards to your trip–This isn’t a response, but rather a tip. I do have your email address, but you forgot to include it in your post. I am not justified to hand out this kind of information in regards to my readers, and actually do this for personal safety reasons to protect those that do post here. If you are wanting someone to contact you, you do have every right to post your email address on your own, but I will not hand it out. I am not trying to be ‘hardcore’ or anything, but I do like my readers knowing that their information is secure on this site–hope you understand, and thanks for posting a comment.
Jason A. Hendricks, Editor
Jason,
Since you appear to be a bit of a couch-attorney, and are a bit perplexed as to why a “known crime” occurred and is yet, not being prosecuted, I would like to pose my own question to you.
Would it not ALSO be a crime for somebody to go out to a federal property and knowingly and intentionally scrawl graphiti on said property? Such as Chris McCandless so obviously did. Or are you simply OVERLOOKING his crime because he’s dead?
With your obvious legal knowledge you are aware of the fact that Justice is Blind. If you would really like to see one offense prosecuted, I am sure that you know that the other one must be recognized as well.
Brad,
From one ‘couch-attorney’ to another….
Did someone see Chris graffiti the bus? Did he admit to doing this before he died? Did he take pictures, have his name in the press, and try to draw unwarranted attention by his actions? I am pretty sure that Chris McCandless’ intentions were of a different nature–he was dying and needed help…
Obviously the DNR did state that any graffiti or damage to the bus is a criminal offense–and obviously you would also know that this article was written on October 10th of last year. No charges were filed.
I first heard about this story about a month ago or so. I have been vexed by the young man’s idealism ever since and it is beginning to worry me. I’ll admit, I am, at times, a rather self-absorbed, and pessimistic, cynical and frustrated with day to day life. I don’t understand why we all plod along, in jobs we hate, in relationships that go nowhere, we treat the people we say we love with disdain, and stay with those who say they love us but treat us like dirt.. well maybe be on some of this, by we I really mean myself. Anyway, the Point I was wanting to make is that I have felt like my only possible way to have even a hint of contentment from life is to get the hell out of the sight of everyone else, for good. I have never felt like I fit in. Anyway, there is little I have in common with Chris McCandless, (for instance I would never head off into the wilderness on my own, although the romantic idea of doing so does fill my brain with hazy day-dreams quite often) but some of my feelings seem to have been felt by him too, so I could relate to his story. Well, I just wanted to comment on this since the people in life would either not get what I was talking about, or try to convince me that I have a deep depression disorder and need psychotherapy, or counseling and a regular dose of Prozac or the like, hence leaving me unable to discuss such things. Thanks for reading/listening.
Do you know how far the bus was from where James Gallien dropped him at the head of the Stampede Trail??
here’s the deal. I want to desperatly go out there but… I was wondering how you get there or does it cost anything. Are there groops that go out there? Let me know please.
Thanks
Alex
The bus is actually situated on Alaska DNR property. It is a couple of miles hike out to the bus, it is still situated where Chris originally died. Yes, you still have to cross the river. people do trek out to it on a regular basis, but I am not sure about any groups that go out there. The GPS coordinates are readily available if you have a GPS system. This will take you to the direct spot.
Its really sad to hear that for some people money is so important that they have auctioned some of the valuables of the bus in ebay.We all know that this bus no 42 is there for last 40 years.I always wonder who was the actual owner of the bus and how did the bus actually reach there where it is standing now.It would be really great if anyone can give me a answer regarding the originality of the bus.
regards
amit
August 23, 2009
Adventurer dies on Kaua’i
Oregonian fell ill after living and foraging in wilderness
By Diana Leone
Advertiser Kaua’i Bureau
LIHU’E, Kaua’i — An Oregon man who gave up his material possessions to live off the land in Kaua’i’s Kalalau Valley this summer in an adventure reminiscent of the “Into the Wild” book and movie died suddenly Aug. 14 of an acute respiratory illness.
Kenny Cox, 31, formerly of Eugene, arrived in May and for 70 days lived in the open, gathering and eating fruit, plants and even grass after he ran out of rice and beans. Kaua’i residents who befriended him after he came out of the wilderness area in mid-July recalled him as free-spirited and down to earth.
“I was so impressed with him as a genuine person,” longtime Hanalei resident Jack Smith said of Cox. “He was very quiet and shy and introverted, but he was comfortable with who he was. … He was a sweet spirit.”
Cox had flown his parents here for a visit on Aug. 8, but just days after they arrived, he complained of a headache and general soreness, a fever over 102 degrees and rapid breathing, his father, George Cox, said in an interview with The Advertiser. But Kenny refused to go to a doctor and said he’d been through something like this before.
not a ‘9-to-5 guy’
His parents called an ambulance late the night of Aug. 13 because Cox’s breathing was so labored. He died of acute hemorrhagic pneumonia with sepsis early the next morning while en route to Wilcox Hospital, doctors told George Cox.
“I don’t think he had any idea of the severity of his illness,” George Cox said.
George Cox brought with him to Kaua’i a copy of the book “Into the Wild,” which tells the true story of a young man who rejected a conventional lifestyle, gave up all his money and died while living out his journey of self-discovery in the Alaska wilderness. The book, written in 1996, was made into a movie of the same name in 2007.
“People have told me ‘that’s Kenny,’ ” the elder Cox told the Eugene Register-Guard newspaper.
Though Kenny Cox embraced his wilderness venture, George Cox speculates that he may have been weakened by it, particularly by drinking untreated stream water. Even after returning to “civilization,” he was still camping under a tarp with a sleeping bag and no modern conveniences.
Cox said his son told him he failed as a spear fisherman during his wilderness stay but did help a hunter catch and cook a wild boar in the valley, which he said was “some of the best food I’d had in a while.”
The Kalalau Valley foray wasn’t the first time Kenny Cox had gone alone on an adventure, his father said. One time he hitchhiked in Mexico for seven months with little money, eating from garbage bins.
Even when Kenny was at home, he “wasn’t a 9-to-5 guy.” After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2001, he bought an older home, fixed it up and rented rooms, while he lived in the backyard in a tepee.
Former athlete
Though George Cox is shocked that his son is dead, he draws some peace from the connections Kenny made here with others who shared his interests in “being organic and free,” he said.
“Kenny was down here trying to live off the land and be close to nature and not impact the environment too much, so we had a lot in common in that respect,” said Joyous Macabea, who had known Cox several weeks. The Coxes were staying at her home for a few days when he went to the hospital.
“He was very free-spirited in his way of life, not pursuing a conventional way toward material gain,” said Josh Dubin, a Moloa’a farm worker. “He was very much on his own journey.”
His new friends had no idea Kenny Cox had been one of the nation’s top prep wrestlers in high school. But his college wrestling record at the University of Oregon had more losses than wins, and he told the Register-Guard in 2001: “I’m ready to move on. There are no hard feelings, and I’m excited about a life beyond wrestling.”
High school wrestling coach Randy Robinson called Cox “easily one of the greatest athletes ever to come out of the state of Oregon.”
But even a healthy young person can be knocked down quickly by certain diseases, said Dr. James Ireland, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Hawai’i-Manoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine.
illness a mystery
Ireland said he can’t speculate as to what specifically made Cox ill. “There’s probably a list of 100 things that could have done this,” he said, including pneumonia caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus, and leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that people can get from contaminated stream water in Hawai’i.
“What’s unfortunate about these overwhelming infections, whether from bacteria, virus or whatever, is there is a small window in which you can be treated,” Ireland said.
Not long after coming out of Kalalau, Kenny Cox heard a message on generosity at the Church of Christ in Hanalei, which moved him to offer his family plane fare to visit him, George Cox said.
“I think sometimes when God knows the end of your days, he orchestrates events for your leaving,” George Cox said. “So now can be a time of rejoicing instead of a time of sorrow.”
Kenny Cox is survived by his parents and three sisters, Lisa Wood, of Colorado; Hannah Strimmer, of Corvallis, Ore.; and Christa Dizon, of Portland, Ore.
Ron Bellamy of the Eugene Register-Guard contributed to this report.