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Except he didn't prepare as well as he could.

IIRC there was a ferry or similar a few miles upstream of where he was "trapped" (because he didn't expect the river to swell as it did) and died.

Learning about seasonal weather and checking alternate routes are a basic part of wilderness survival.

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But that's the whole point - he wanted to take a risk. That's why the story is a moving poetic statement. If he'd done it the sensible way there wouldn't be a book about it.

Going skydiving is taking a risk. Going skydiving without training and without checking your equipment is just being an idiot. It isn't noble or poetic it is just dumb.

The only thing sadder than McCandless pointless depth is the people whose own lives are so devoid of meaning that they seek inspiration from a fool who killed himself.

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