Letter to Outside Magazine

Dear Outside Magazine Editor:

I am responding to the article about Chris McCandless's life and death. Although his story had a sorrowful ending, his journey will be the source of inspiration for those who need it for years to come. I am appreciative of your choice to profile McCandless in the last issue because he portrays an unconventional example of a person who wanted to reject conformity - and actually did. As reader Gina Lee articulated, McCandless's passion and zeal for living a full and natural life, free from suburbian restrictions, fully consumed him. He did not simply talk of traveling across the country with little more than the clothes on his back; he actually left the comforts of home to find adventure. What I believe led to McCandless's ultimate demise was the high standards he set for himself. He could not allow himself to bring conveniences with him into the Alaskan wilderness. If he had brought a map, he would have been "cheating," but directional reference would have saved his life by showing him nearby refuge. However, in McCandless's mind, bringing a map would have cheapened the experience, even if it meant difficulty leaving the Alaskan bush.
While many people think McCandless was foolish for venturing into the wild, he would not have cared about his critics. Therefore, I am glad you wrote this article, because it will show pessimistic opposition the spirit of a truly happy person. Your account of McCandless's life was an honest depiction of a man who made mistakes but held fast to his convictions. An article like this is why I read Outside magazine, and I am grateful to you for giving me motivation to achieve my goals in life. Thank you for an interesting and compelling article.