Jon Krakauer and Chris McCandless are both similar in that they are both extremely independent individuals. They both have a great deal of experience in the outdoors and are very capable in terms of survival skills. They are also both very intelligent, with Krakauer having graduated from Harvard and McCandless having graduated from Emory.What really sets them apart, however, is their respective outlooks on life. Krakauer is much more cynical and pessimistic, whereas McCandless is more idealistic and optimistic. This is perhaps best exemplified by their respective attitudes towards nature. Krakauer sees nature as something to be conquered and conquered, while McCandless sees it as something to be respected and admired.Ultimately, both Krakauer and McCandless are similar in that they are both highly individualistic and extremely intelligent. However, their different outlooks on life make them unique individuals.