The famous story of the traveler Christopher McCandless gained international attention in 1996 when the book Into the Wild was written by John Krakauer. When the movie came out in 2007, Chris’s story became even more famous, and with it, the infamous “Magic Bus”.
While the story has a sad ending, the famous Stampede Trail has become a pilgrimage for many avid travelers trying to recreate Chris’s free spirit and adventure. Many hikers from all over the world attempt to complete the dangerous hike through the beautiful Alaskan wilderness.
Before setting out on the 20-mile adventure, make sure to check with the authorities that it is safe, the weather is dependable, and most importantly, that they know you are out there and when you are expected back. The most dangerous part is crossing the Teklanika River where extreme caution should be taken.
For those not wanting to do the 40-mile roundtrip hike, or those waiting out the bad weather, there is another option for how to experience a piece of the adventuresome spirit. 49th State Brewery in Healy, Alaska holds the replica of the bus that was used to film the movie, and is filled with artifacts and pictures from the creation.
