For decades, an old, abandoned Fairbanks city transit bus sat in the remote Alaskan wilderness, known to many as the “Into the Wild” bus – Bus 142. It was a place of pilgrimage, where adventurers and dreamers retraced the tragic steps of Christopher McCandless, the young man whose life and death were immortalized in Jon Krakauer’s book Into the Wild and later adapted into a 2007 film. However, in 2020, the Alaskan government made a decision that changed the bus’s fate forever.
The Removal of an Icon
On June 18, 2020, the bus was airlifted out of its remote location by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. A Chinook helicopter lifted the heavily damaged 1940s-era vehicle off the Stampede Trail, where it had sat for over half a century. The removal, reported by Reuters, was in response to growing safety concerns.
Over the years, many visitors seeking to experience McCandless’s journey found themselves stranded, injured, or worse. According to Reuters, two people drowned while attempting to cross the Teklanika River, the same obstacle that had trapped McCandless in the wild. Others had to be rescued after underestimating the harsh conditions of the Alaskan wilderness. In one case, a Brazilian tourist required emergency evacuation, and earlier that same year, five Italian travelers had to be rescued from the trail.
The bus’s romanticized legacy had turned deadly, forcing officials to take action.
Where is Bus 142 Now?
After its removal, the bus was placed in a secure location, with its future undecided. However, according to YouTuber Johan Fullard, who traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska, to track down its whereabouts, the famous vehicle has since been moved to the University of Alaska Museum of the North.
The museum’s ethnology and history project manager, Della Hall, explained that the state of Alaska still owns the bus, but the museum is responsible for its care. The goal is to preserve it as a historical artifact, stabilize it from further decay, and eventually display it outdoors behind the museum, allowing visitors to see it in a safer environment.
The Many Lives of Bus 142
Though the world came to know it as “Chris McCandless’s bus,” its history goes much further back. Hall described its origins to Fullard, explaining that the International Harvester K-5 bus was first a military transport vehicle before being repurposed as a school bus. Eventually, it became part of the Fairbanks public transit system before ending up on the Stampede Trail, where miners, hunters, and trappers used it as a backcountry shelter.
McCandless, traveling under the alias Alexander Supertramp, stumbled upon the bus in April 1992 and used it as a refuge during his time in the wild. Four months later, he was found dead inside, having succumbed to starvation.
A Place of Pilgrimage and Controversy
For many, Bus 142 became a symbol of self-discovery, adventure, and freedom. Pilgrims left their own marks – signatures, messages, and graffiti – on its walls, treating it as a sacred site of reflection and inspiration. But to others, it represented recklessness, irresponsibility, and misplaced romanticism.
Johan Fullard interviewed locals in Fairbanks, many of whom held a dim view of McCandless. A hotel worker he spoke with dismissed McCandless as an “idiot”, criticizing his lack of preparation and failure to respect the harsh realities of Alaskan wilderness survival. Another local suggested that the film adaptation glorified McCandless’s actions, leading others to repeat his mistakes, putting themselves at risk for the sake of imitation.
One of the most striking observations from Fullard’s documentary came from an Alaskan bartender, who speculated that if McCandless had died in a tent rather than a recognizable, tangible landmark like a bus, his story would not have gained the same cultural significance.
What Was Left in the Bus?
Though the McCandless family received some of Chris’s personal belongings from the site, much of the graffiti, artifacts, and writings left by visitors have deteriorated over time. Hall mentioned that some people have asked whether McCandless himself left any markings on the bus, but due to years of weathering and rust, it’s nearly impossible to tell.
The museum has since taken high-resolution photographs of the graffiti and plans to document and archive it, allowing people to share their own stories of visiting the site.
A Divisive Legacy
One of the most heated debates surrounding the McCandless story is whether his journey was an act of courageous self-exploration or a foolish mistake. Even Hall, who is deeply involved in preserving the bus’s legacy, admitted that she doesn’t personally connect with McCandless’s story in the same way many others do.
However, she acknowledged that his journey represents something deeply personal for different people – whether it’s the desire to escape societal expectations, a quest for self-discovery, or simply the age-old human fascination with the wild.
Did Chris McCandless Seek Enlightenment?
One of the most thought-provoking discussions in Fullard’s documentary explored whether McCandless was searching for enlightenment or simply running away from his past. A local woman he interviewed suggested that many men feel the need to undergo a rite of passage, much like McCandless’s solitary adventure.
She theorized that while women experience a biological transformation through puberty, men sometimes seek a defining experience to mark their transition into adulthood—something that could explain why McCandless’s story resonates so strongly with young men in particular.
Why Some Locals Despise the Bus
While some see Bus 142 as a memorial, others view it as a nuisance and a hazard. Many locals resent the danger it posed, particularly the countless rescue missions required to save inexperienced hikers trying to reach it.
Hall noted that at some point, someone fired bullets at the bus’s exterior, specifically targeting the “142” painted on its side. While the shooter’s identity and motives remain unknown, it highlights the hostility some Alaskans feel toward the bus’s continued notoriety.
The Future of Bus 142
Despite the divided opinions, efforts are underway to preserve and display the bus in a way that honors its complex history. The Museum of the North is crowdfunding to restore the vehicle and ensure its long-term preservation. A live stream is also available, allowing people around the world to check in on the progress of the restoration.
A Symbol That Endures
The story of Chris McCandless and Bus 142 continues to captivate people decades after his death. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale, a tragic mistake, or a heroic journey, McCandless’s time in the wilderness – and the bus that sheltered him – remain deeply ingrained in modern folklore.
With Bus 142 now in Fairbanks, its legacy will live on—not as a dangerous destination for thrill-seekers, but as a historical artifact that sparks conversation, reflection, and debate for years to come.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.