I think part of the appeal of Antarctica is experiencing some sort of power, the forces of the natural world.

The desert sharpened the sweet ache of his longing, amplified it, gave shape to it in sere geology and clean slant of light.

But [Everett] and McCandless, at least they tried to follow their dream. That’s what was great about them. They tried. Not many do.

When I start any book, I have no idea what I'm going to do.

You should own nothing except what you can carry on your back at a dead run.

But somethings in life are more important than being happy. Like being free to think for yourself.

If you want a blank spot on the map, you gotta leave the map behind.