Into Denali: Not quite following in Chris McCandless’ footsteps

by Brooke Marshall
It was spring in Denali, which roughly translates to a mild winter day in the Lower 48. That didn’t stop the band though – they were shredding out some merry bluegrass tunes, and I was dancing in mittens and a mountaineering jacket. It was the Creekside Chili Cook-Off, the unofficial start of the tourist season in Denali and a chance for all the local seasonal workers to make their introductions.
This crusty old Alaskan named Todd came up and asked me if I had any big plans for my first summer in the Last Frontier. My philosophy at that time in my traveling life was, “No pla...