25 Facts About Carl McCunn

Carl McCunn was an American wildlife photographer who became stranded in the Alaskan wilderness and eventually committed suicide when he ran out of supplies.

Carl McCunn was born in Munich, Germany, where his father was stationed by the United States Army.

Carl McCunn was raised in San Antonio, Texas, graduated from high school in 1964, and enlisted in the United States Navy shortly after dropping out of community college.

Carl McCunn served in the Navy for four years and was discharged in 1969.

Carl McCunn briefly lived in Seattle, Washington, before settling in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1970.

Carl McCunn had lived five months on the Brooks Range in 1976.

Carl McCunn began his stay entranced by the local wildlife, which was returning to its summer grounds.

Carl McCunn had hired an air taxi service to fly him in and was expecting the friend to pick him up as he did not have enough money to pay for air taxi service out; however, Carl McCunn compounded the error by never telling his friend he had hired the air taxi service to fly him to the remote location.

Carl McCunn's campsite was off the regular air traffic route, so he could not count on any planes passing by.

Carl McCunn shot ducks and muskrats and tried drying the meat of a caribou he observed die in the lake.

At this point, Carl McCunn's diary indicated his hope that his family or friends would send someone to look for him after he failed to return.

Carl McCunn had sent three maps with his campsite marked to some friends and his father, but was not clear about his exact itinerary.

Carl McCunn had told his father not to be concerned if he did not return at the end of the summer, as he might stay later in the season if things went well.

Carl McCunn's friends testified at the inquest they were not concerned as they believed he had already come out and was working in Paxson.

The pilot did not sense Carl McCunn was in distress, since he waved his orange sleeping bag very casually and, on his third pass of the campsite, he saw Carl McCunn casually walking back to his tent.

The State Trooper later testified he saw no reason to surmise Carl McCunn needed any assistance.

Carl McCunn had to travel for firewood, as he wanted to leave the land surrounding his camp the way he found it.

Game became increasingly scarce, and Carl McCunn set snares for rabbits, but the traps were frequently raided by wolves and foxes.

Carl McCunn considered trying to walk to Fort Yukon, approximately 75 miles away, but was unable to make the trek due to snow and his weakened condition.

Sometime soon afterward, Carl McCunn decided to end his own life.

Carl McCunn used all his remaining fuel supplies to create a warm fire.

Carl McCunn requested that all his personal belongings be given to his father by whoever found him.

Carl McCunn even suggested that the person who found him take his rifle and shotgun for their trouble.

Carl McCunn then pinned his Alaska driver's license to the note and shot himself with his rifle.

Excerpts from Carl McCunn's diary were published in December 1982 by The San Antonio Light.