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Annandale, Virginia
Chris grew up in Annandale,Virginia, with his parents and sister, Carine. He and his sister were close, but Chris had a dissonant relationship with his parents. He felt that they were controlling. Chris wanted to be independent from his parents, and when he discovered that his father had cheated on his mother that relationship worsened. In Annandale, Chris's desire to leave was established. -
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
At Emory, Chris exemplified his characteristics as a good student. He founded clubs, was a leader, and got good grades. After he graduated, however, it became clear that he had no intention of using his degree. -
Detrital Wash, Arizona
In Detrital Wash, Arizona, Chris drove through Lake Mead National Recreation Area until his car got stuck and he was forced to abandon it. Here, he exemplifies his independence from society by leaving behind his car and burning his money. He wanders around the park until he is delirious from the heat and learns that he is more vulnerable in nature than he first believed. -
Northern California
At Crazy Ernie's ranch, Chris showed his awareness by leaving when he realized that he was not going to be paid. -
Willow Creek, California
Chris is ticketed for hitchhiking and gives his real name to the authorities. This shows attachment to his past life or some regret in leaving it. -
Orick Beach
From Willow Creek, Chris is picked up by Jan and Bob, who drive him to Orick Beach. From Orick Beach, he hitchhikes to the northeastern coast to Seattle. (His path includes Pistol River, Coos bay, Seal Rock, Manzanita, Astoria, Hoquiam, Humptulips, Queets, Forks, Port Angeles, and Port Townsend). He keeps in touch with Jan and Bob which shows that he doesn't have problems with everyone and can be very amiable; he just has problems with people who try to control him, like his parents. -
Carthage, South Dakota
In Carthage, Chris meets Wayne Westerberg. He is characterized by his work ethic and kindness, and the residents there all found him to be friendly and nice to socialize with. He forms a good relationship with Wayne and proves himself to be infatuated with authors such as Tolstoy and Jack London by giving his friends advice to follow the main characters in their novels. -
Needles, California // Topock, Arizona
In Needles, California, Chris reaches the Colorado River and begins travelling down it towards the Gulf of California. After a 12-mile hike, Chris finds himself in Topock, Arizona, and buys a canoe to go down the Colorado River -
Colorado River
As he traveled down the Colorado River, Chris takes some time off to track a herd of horses, demonstrating his appreciation for nature, and trespasses on US Army territory, showing his disregard for the government and authority in general. He sends correspondence to Westerberg at a stop on his journey down the river, which shows his appreciation for relationships he finds meaningful. -
Morelos Dam, Mexican/American Border
When he reached Mexico's border with the United States, Chris snuck across the border illegally. This demonstrates his lack of appreciation for laws and government. -
Gulf of California
Chris is dropped off in a village near the gulf and leaves to the sea. He spends a significant amount of time on a plateau by the ocean. While there, he is alone, signifying his ability to enjoy solitude. -
United States' border with Mexico
Chris is caught sneaking into the United States. His rifle is confiscated but he manages to talk himself out of any trouble by telling a story. After making it back into the United States he learned more tricks about how to survive on his own, such as burying his money outside of a town he visited so it wouldn't get stolen. Through this time, beginning with his run-in with the border patrol, Chris becomes better at lying his way out of problems because he doesn't care for the government. -
Los Angeles, California
Chris goes to LA to get an ID and a job, but he finds himself uncomfortable in society. This shows Chris embracing realist and naturalist ideals of self-reliance and solitude in nature. Chris learns that he would rather be by himself than with other people.
A few days later he wrote in his journal about how different he was from who he used to be. He is malnourished but 'his spirits are soaring'. This exemplifies how extremely zealous Chris is about his solitary, uncertain lifestyle. -
Detritral Wash, Arizona
Chris returns to Detrital Wash to dig up his belongings. Afterwards, he hitchhikes to Vegas to work at an Italian restaurant. This shows his self-reliance and willingness to work for himself. -
Seattle
When Chris went to Seattle, postcards he sent recounted that he was riding the rails when a bull threatened to kill him if he saw him on the train again. This is significant because Chris got back on the train immediately after, showing that he didn't care for rules and didn't mind threats. He was going to do what he wanted to do, whether anyone else liked it or not, and this demonstrates that. -
Oregon Coast
Chris hiked up and down the Oregon Coast and sent a few letters to Jan and Bob. -
Bullhead City, Arizona
In Bullhead City, Chris worked at McDonald's. At this job he revealed much of his character. He had no appreciation for the rules like dress code but followed them if he had to in order to get by, demonstrating disrespect for authority and societal rules. He worked slowly but did his work well, and, additionally, applied for the job using his first name, not his new name, which shows attachment to his past self or that he was not quite used to having a 'new identity'. -
Niland, California
In Niland, Chris met back up with Jan and Bob and was enthusiastic to see them, which shows an appreciation for relationships with some people. He volunteered and showed his enthusiasm for novelists such as Jack London and Charles Dickens. These authors were realists and naturalists, and his enjoyment of their novels demonstrates an enthusiasm for the ideals they represented. -
Anza-Borrego, California
During his stay in Anza-Borrego, Chris spent time with a man whose pseudonym is Ronald Franz. Chris and Ronald had a close relationship, and Ronald wanted to adopt Chris. He had been having trouble getting out of a bad time in his life after losing his son, but Chris helped bring him out of that and when Chris died, Ronald fell back into hard times but he did take the last advice Chris gave him about hitting the road. Chris' effect on Ronald shows how amiable he was, putting him in a good light. -
San Diego, California
Chris left his place with Ronald to go to San Diego and get a job. Ronald offered him money and a place to stay, but Chris wanted to support himself, not take handouts from someone he'd just met, demonstrating his affinity for self-reliance. -
Coachella
When Chris returned from Seattle he talked to Ronald about getting a job in Carthage again. He allows Ronald to give him a ride, which is surprising because it could contradict his desire to be independent and in solitude, but it also supports this idea because he wants to be in a job as soon as he can, supporting himself. -
Carthage, South Dakota
When he returned to Carthage, Chris stayed but decided to leave a month later. Wayne, who he was close with, wanted him to stay longer, and Chris wanted to stay longer as well, but he had always had his mind set on going to Alaska and he finally felt that he was ready. This shows his dedication and that this goal was significant to him. -
Fairbanks, Alaska
Jim Gallien gives Chris a ride to the Stampede Trail. He blatantly warns Chris that he is unprepared and offers him some supplies; Chris takes some of them reluctantly but refuses to take most of them. This shows his confidence, but also his desire to take care of himself. He wants to be alone in nature, without societal influence; this demonstrates naturalist and realist ideals. -
Alaskan Wilderness
Chris's body is found in the Alaskan wilderness, near some highways and a national park. He wrote in his notebook that he realized he was unprepared and accepted his fate. He was 'at peace'.