Alaska has been a destination for travelers for hundreds of years. They are inspired by the natural landscapes and mythology of wilderness, a promise of untouched spaces where one can disappear.
This exhibit shares objects and images connected to two solo travelers who made Alaska their destination. Between July 1990 and August 1992, Christopher McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, traveled from Atlanta, Georgia, by car, train, canoe, and foot. Eventually McCandless found himself at Bus 142 along the Stampede Trail, 26 miles west of Healy. His story forms the basis of the book and film, Into the Wild.
AgustÃn Ostos documented his seven and a half year journey through his website and his social media accounts. Motivated by McCandless' story, Ostos traveled from the tip of South America at Ushuaia, Argentina, ending in Fairbanks, Alaska, in October 2024. After visiting Bus 142 and the museum, he was inspired to donate his BMW to share his life-changing experiences.
Visitors will consider how one's view of the world changes through travel and how their presence changes the places they visit. Art, history, and photography help to tell the stories of risk, sorrow, and joy found through travel to Interior Alaska.
Into the Heart of Alaska exhibit displays unique objects from two solo travelers.
View the belt that Christopher McCandless hand-tooled during his journey, documenting his story in graphics. UA2023-007-0001
Self-portrait, in front of Bus 142, July 3, 1992. Photo by Christopher McCandless.
Photo courtesy of AgustÃn Ostos.
Since 2020, Bus 142, at the center of the Into the Wild, has been part of the UAMN collections. We are currently developing an outdoor exhibit for the 1946 International Harvester K5 bus near the museum.
Bus 142 is not currently on view
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