Chapter 17, The Stampede Trail Summary and Analysis

A quote from Henry David Thoreau's Ktaadn discusses the awesome power and mystery of nature. In Chapter 17, as in every other chapter, the initial quotations identify the chapter theme and help create the appropriate tone. In this case, Thoreau's mention of "a force not bound to be kind to man" foreshadows the cruel fate McCandless will soon suffer at the hands of the impassive forces of nature.

Krakauer stands on the bank of the Teklanika River a year after McCandless's aborted attempt to cross the waterway. At this time of year, Krakauer notes that the river is indeed a wide, churning flow of water. Yet, Krakauer has advantages McCandless lacked, including a detailed topographic map and three companions. The map reveals the presence of a U.S. Geological Survey gauging station a half mile downriver...