"Into the Wild" fans making pilgrimage in Alaska wilderness have to be rescued

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Authorities rescued three hikers making a pilgrimage to an abandoned bus in the Alaska wilderness made famous by the book and film "Into the Wild."

Two hikers from Wisconsin and a third with no listed address needed assistance last week after one tripped while holding an ax and suffered minor injuries.

Authorities often are called to help hikers heading to the dilapidated bus on the Stampede Trail near Denali National Park.

The book and movie "Into the Wild" chronicled the life and death of Chris McCandless, who hiked into the Alaska wilderness in April 1992 with little food and equipment and spent the summer living in the bus. McCandless was found dead in the bus almost four months later after starving to death.