How Is Your Luck?

“He didn't think the odds applied to him. We were always trying to pull him back from the edge” (Krakauer 109).

Topic: Travel Advice. 

This quote is from Loren Johnson, Chris' grandfather. It explains how Chris had always been notorious for taking risks and believing the odds were in his favor, and for the most part they were. He was able to persevere through extreme conditions and survive with little to no human contact. He had the courage to unapologetically take risks and was rewarded with life-changing experiences. Chris required very little to succeed, and that caused the disillusion that the odds did not apply to him. 
It is dangerous to believe that there is everlasting luck, because when it fades you have to be as prepared as possible to handle any situation. You need to do the best you can to get the odds on your side instead of skate by and hope for the best. Being prepared could potentially make the difference between life and death, as seen with Chris McCandless. Sadly his few mistakes created a snowball effect that had irreversible outcomes. This all connects very well with the saying of "it's better to be safe than sorry." I hope that everyone can take this lesson and apply it to their daily lives.