He also applies his personal experiences because they parallel McCandless’s life events. Both Krakauer and McCandless have past issues with their father figures. The two men have been deeply affected by their situations in similar ways. By addressing their similarities, Krakauer gradually builds his credibility. If the reader pities Krakauer, they will pity McCandless in return. Alongside narration and reflection, Krakauer uses travel writing to persuade the reader of his resolute personality: “I knew that people sometimes died climbing mountains. But at the age of twenty-three, personal morality—the idea of my own death—was still largely outside my conceptual grasp” (151). Krakauer realizes now that he could have died on his journey, but during his time on the mountain, death was the last thing on his mind. He was determined to reach the top of the ice cap, and nothing else mattered. Krakauer included his travel writing to show that he and McCandless both have a resolute outlook on life. Both men know that they want to save their lives and they are willing to risk their lives to get