Into the Wild: Chapter 14-15, Krakauer’s Narrative Why did he live and McCandles die?

In context, we learn that Krakauer eventually gave up on his first ascent plan, and went up an easier way instead, which amounts to a discovery that is difficult for both he and McCandless to accept—there are some things that, no matter your will or determination, are impossible. The same is not true of McCandless’s adventure—he did survive for many, many weeks with minimal supplies in dangerous conditions, and he very conceivably could have made it out alive. But his way of thinking, that he can do anything as long as he truly has the determination to do it, and is willing to suffer while doing it, is not, in the end, correct.