The man had left civilisation behind for a life in the wild

Here is the unsettling story of Chris McCandless, the man who hiked out into the wilderness and never came home.

Following his graduation from university in 1990, McCandless donated all of his savings and decided to recreate the events of his favourite book – The Call of the Wild by Jack London – by travelling up north to the Alaskan bush with the hope of living off the land.

His story and determination to live off the land is one of equal parts inspiring and devastating, later being adapted into a book and a film, the trailer for the latter can be viewed below:

Unfortunately, McCandless’ goal of rejecting America’s consumerist culture and returning to nature had a devastating ending with the 24-year-old ultimately starving to death in his makeshift camp.

Hikers would later recover his body in the rusted bus, which had become his home, with his remains weighing just 67lbs and serving as a stark reminder to hikers about just how unforgiving the wilderness can be.

In the months prior to his death, McCandless had been documenting his life in Bus 142 on the Stampede Trail, Alaska, in his journal and on a film camera. Both of which were recovered after his death.

The journal and photographs provided a crucial insight into McCandless’ final moments in the wild, including how he arrived at the remote location and his attempts to return to civilisation.

A photo McCandless had taken of himself outside his makeshift home in the bus. (Wikimedia Commons)

In April 1992, McCandless hitchhiked to Alaska with the last person to see him alive being an electrician by the name of Jim Gallien.

Gallien would later reveal that he had been concerned by how ill-equipped McCandless was and even tried to get him to delay the trip – which he refused.

Armed with just a handful of books, a rifle, and some rice, he began his adventure surviving for 113 days in the remote region.

The final days of McCandless’ life would see the young man begin to realise the danger of the situation he’d gotten himself in. One entry in his journal revealed his failed attempt to leave the Alaskan bush due to an impassable river.

This highlighted just how unprepared McCandless was for his journey, as a detailed map of the area would later reveal he would’ve been able to walk out of his seemingly hopeless predicament.

Aware that he was most dying of starvation and in need of dire aid, McCandless placed a desperate message in the window of the bus, which read: “Attention Possible Visitors. S.O.S. I need your help.

“I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening.

“Thank you, Chris McCandless. August?”

McCandless holding his note. (Reddit/u/frituurgarnituur)

He had also written what his believed to be a goodbye message in the days leading up to his death, later taking a photo of himself holding the note, which read: “I have had a happy life and thank the Lord.

“Goodbye and may God bless all!”

It is believed that McCandless either died from starvation or poisoning from wild vegetation he’d consumed. The bus which he spent his final days in would later be removed from the location in order to deter other hikers from making the same journey.