The Alaskan Bus Made Famous From ‘Into the Wild’ Moves From Museum to Storage
The historic bus, known as Bus 142, is now in storage. The vehicle became widely known from the movie and book Into the Wild, which focused on the story of Chris McCandless and his outdoor adventures and controversial death.
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The bus was on display at the Museum of the North, but the exhibit needs additional funding to continue the display.
The Army National Guard removed the bus from the Alaskan wilderness in June 2020 over safety concerns. Bus 142 was in the woods for hunters to use as a base. Chris McCandless lived in the vehicle in 1992 after exploring the American West. Hunters found his body in September of that year, and most believe he died from starvation.
McCandless inspired a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts in the vein of Jack Kerouac and John Meir. However, he’s also a controversial figure, as many believe he was misguided and ill-prepared for the Alaskan wilderness. The concerns of others following in McCandless’ footsteps led government officials to fly the bus out of the woods.
Regardless of your standing on the story of McCandless, many associate the bus with outdoor history. Whether that’s humankind’s need to connect with nature or a monument of the importance of being prepared.
An organization called Friends of Bus 142 is working to create a permanent exhibit and asking for donations to help preserve the bus for generations to come. If there is enough funding, the Museum of the North will host the exhibit in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Source: https://outdoors.com/the-alaskan-bus-made-famous-from-into-the-wild-moves-from-museum-to-storage/
