Christopher McCandless, famously known as Alex Supertramp during his travels, remains a captivating and controversial figure. His journey, tragically cut short in the Alaskan wilderness, has sparked endless debate and fascination. To truly understand McCandless, it’s essential to trace the paths he forged across North America before his final, fateful adventure. So, Where Did Alex Supertramp Travel To, and what led him to seek such a solitary and extreme experience?
McCandless’s initial wanderlust emerged early. Even before graduating from Emory University with a degree in history and anthropology, he embarked on solo road trips, notably driving to Fairbanks, Alaska, during one summer break. This early Alaskan journey foreshadowed his later, more profound immersion into the wild. However, his transformative journey began in earnest after his graduation in May 1990. Symbolically shedding his past, he donated his savings to charity and severed ties with his family. This act of renunciation marked the true beginning of his odyssey as Alex Supertramp.
His travels immediately took him westward. Arizona became his first significant stop after leaving his life behind. It was near Lake Mead where a flash flood disabled his car, a pivotal moment that seemingly pushed him further away from conventional society and deeper into a nomadic existence. Undeterred by this setback, McCandless embraced the freedom of traveling on foot, embodying the spirit of a true wanderer.
From Arizona, McCandless ventured across the western United States, adopting the lifestyle of a tramp. He primarily hitchhiked and occasionally hopped freight trains, immersing himself in the transient culture. This period saw him move through various states, experiencing the landscapes and encountering diverse individuals. A significant connection formed in the autumn of 1990 when he met Wayne Westerberg in Carthage, South Dakota. Working at Westerberg’s grain elevator provided McCandless with temporary stability and income, but his adventurous spirit soon propelled him southward again.
Driven by his yearning for exploration, McCandless undertook a remarkable journey down the Colorado River. Launching an aluminum canoe, he paddled into Mexico, further expanding his geographical and experiential horizons. This daring river trip showcased his resourcefulness and his willingness to embrace unconventional modes of travel. Upon returning to the United States, he briefly engaged with mainstream society again, taking up work at a McDonald’s in Bullhead City, Arizona, during the autumn of 1991. He also spent time in Salton City, California, before his path led him back to Carthage and Wayne Westerberg. It was during this second stint in Carthage that McCandless solidified his plans for his ultimate Alaskan expedition.
In April 1992, McCandless hitchhiked through Canada and reached Fairbanks, Alaska, via the Alaska Highway. This marked the final leg of his geographical journey and the beginning of his profound, albeit tragic, wilderness experience. From Fairbanks, he ventured southwest to the Stampede Trail. Despite warnings about his inadequate supplies and equipment, McCandless was determined to immerse himself in the Alaskan bush. His plan, initially to reach the Bering Sea, shifted as he discovered an abandoned bus along the Stampede Trail, which became his solitary shelter. It was in this remote Alaskan bus, far from the familiar paths of his previous travels, that Alex Supertramp’s journey reached its poignant conclusion.
In conclusion, Alex Supertramp’s travels spanned a significant portion of North America, from the East Coast suburbs of Washington D.C. to the vast wilderness of Alaska, and from the grain fields of South Dakota to the Colorado River and into Mexico. His journey was not just a geographical one, but a profound exploration of self and society, driven by a desire for authentic experience and a rejection of materialistic values. While his Alaskan adventure ended tragically, the routes he traveled and the choices he made continue to resonate with those who seek to understand the allure of the wild and the complexities of human nature.
