You've never done anything careless? Most of us have, and live to tell about it. There is no doubt that McCandless underestimated, greatly, the situation he was putting himself in, but when you are that age that seems to be par for the course. I read the book many years ago and I recall that McCandless was on a sort of self constructed walk-about after graduating from college. When others were heading off to new careers, he was "dropping out" and going off to live in an abandoned bus in the middle of nowhere Alaska. Smart? No, but definitely the kind of thing 22 year olds do. I don't think the guy should be glorified or vilified. Damn good book though, I like reading Krakauer. Into Thin Air is a great one. Aside: My fathers cousin ended up marrying Rob Hall's widow. This happened after I had read the book. Strange that I felt I knew so much about her having never met her. Under the Banner of Heaven is also a great read. Check it out if you've not already.