"McCandless was thrilled to be on his way north, and he was relieved as well- relieved that he had again evaded the impending threat of human intimacy, of friendship, and all the messy emotional baggage that comes with it.  He had fled the claustrophobic confines of his family. (55)"

• McCandless thought that his life should be lived the way he wanted it without others influencing his decisions.  I order to avoid those influences he avoided having relationships with anyone. He was also afraid that the emotional aspects of those relationships would get in the way of his happiness.