In Jon Krakauer’s book Into the Wild, Christopher McCandless drives a 1982 Datsun B210. He abandons the car in the Detrital Wash, located in the Mojave Desert, after it gets damaged by a flash flood. This event occurs in July 1990.
McCandless decides to abandon the car because it becomes inoperable due to the flood damage. He leaves it behind as part of his broader quest to live a minimalist and nomadic lifestyle, free from material possessions. This decision marks a significant turning point in his journey, as he continues his adventure on foot, ultimately leading him to Alaska.