Teen Hiker Lost, Rescued In Alaska...Twice

Chicagoland seasonal worker gets lost while looking for Chris McCandless famed "Magic Bus"

Oh, Chris McCandless, what hast thou wrought on the people of Alaska? With tons of people making pilgrimages to your death site not far from Denali, I suppose it was only a matter of time before one of them needed rescue.

Don Carroll, a 19-year-old culinary student from Illinois working as a line cook for the summer just outside Denali, decided to strike out for the famed bus described in "Into The Wild." He and a companion took off with clothing, sleeping bags, a tent, and a lighter but no food or water. They stashed the pack, crossed a river, and promptly got lost. After three days of freezing nights, eating berries, and drinking river water, a helicopter rescued the pair on Monday.

It gets worse: Back in June, Carroll needed rescue from the decidedly front-country Mount Healy after he got soaked and disoriented while hiking in a hoody and jeans. He directed rescuers to his location with (of course) text messages.

"If police see me (hiking) in the woods, they're going to arrest me," a rueful Carroll said during a cell phone interview Tuesday. "The chief ranger said he's not going to come looking for me anymore."

I'd say that's a fair assessment of the situation. No wonder Alaskans sigh every time they see a bus of Lower 48ers pull into town.

—Ted Alvarez

Bolingbrook hiker rescued--again--after journey into wild (Daily Herald)

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READERS COMMENTS

Alaskans like people coming up to explore. They don't like spending their tax dollars rescuing morons.
Posted: Aug 27, 2009 bob

Hey, I just got back from Alaska. I felt like I had to experience it because "Into the Wild" is one of my favorite books and I think McCandless gets a bad wrap sometimes. Lets all remember despite the tragic end for McCandless, he managed to survive for a long time in places where most wouldn't last 2 nights. I wasn't just some moron, I was well prepared for backpacking in Alaska, unlike these two. Some may not agree with McCandless and his decisions but lets not blame him for copy cat morons. McCandless had an amazing spirit for adventure, but he did make some mistakes and if readers don't learn from them then they have no business hiking into the wild.
Posted: Aug 26, 2009 Ryan

I was on the trail and we ran into the lost hikers. After giving them some snack bars we left them with their co-workers who were on the trail as well. I soon realized they didn't acknowledg how serious the situation was. Continuing out the trail for a few minutes we were spotted by the state troopers and directed them to the lost hikers. trentdbrown32@yahoo.com
Posted: Aug 26, 2009 Trent Brown

I didn't even think the magic bus was in Alaska anymore.

(@veela_valoom)
Posted: Aug 26, 2009 Cassi

They shouldnt have named Alaska the last frontier if they didnt want people to come explore.
Posted: Aug 26, 2009 Steve Spinks