Marble Canyon AZ, USA

 
The film INTO THE WILD is based on the true story of Chris McCandless. After completing his studies in history and anthropology in 1990, he decided to cut ties with his family. Dissatisfied with the materialistic life he had grown up in, McCandless gave his savings to charity and embarked on a journey across the United States.

Into the Wild, 0:51:55

After wandering through among others California, Arizona, South Dakota, Colorado, and Mexico, McCandless went to Alaska to venture into the wilderness. On 6 September 1992, a hunter discovered his lifeless body in an abandoned bus, used as a shelter by hunters and rangers. The cause of death was probably malnutrition combined with eating the roots of a poisonous plant.

Chris McCandless' life story is described in Jon Krakauer's 1996 book “Into the Wild”. He based it amongst others on journal entries and conversations with people Chris McCandless had met during his travels.

Balanced Rock, Marble Canyon, 9 July 2023 

The book was adapted into a movie, which was filmed between 24 April and 4 November 2006 in eight states: Oregon, Arizona, Alaska, California, South Dakota, Nevada, Washington, Georgia and in Mexico. I previously blogged about the places Fairbanks and Healy in Alaska. During our trip across America in 2023, we visited Marble Canyon in Arizona where a short scene was filmed.

After working on a farm in South Dakota for almost a year, Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch) decides to travel by kayak down the Colorado River to Mexico. A popular place to start a boat trip is Lees Ferry in Marble Canyon. This campsite is not featured in the film but it is suggested that McCandless starts his boat trip here when he passes Balanced Rock. This rock is six kilometers (2.4 miles) from Lees Ferry and has its own page on the National Park Service website.

Into the Wild, 0:54:04

Marble Canyon, 9 July 2023

Into the Wild, 0:54:12

Balanced Rock, Marble Canyon, 9 July 2023

Not seen in the film but noteworthy: Marble Canyon is home to the California condor, an endangered species. We saw this bird sitting near the Navajo Bridge. The California Condor Conservation Project, a breeding programme in zoos is trying to increase the population. All birds have a number on the wing. Number T5 was born in captivity and released in the spring of 2018 at Vermillion Cliffs, not far from Marble Canyon.

Californian condor, Marble Canyon, 9 July 2023

Screenshots © Paramount Vantage/River Road Entertainment