Book info

• Title Into Thin Air
• Author Jon Krakauer
• Year 1997
• Genre Memoir

In March 1996, Outside magazine sent veteran journalist and seasoned climber Jon Krakauer on an expedition led by celebrated Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall and the other leaders, by the end of summit day, eight people were dead. Krakauer's book is at once the story of the ill-fated adventure and an analysis of the factors leading up to its tragic end. Written within months of the events it chronicles, Into Thin Air clearly evokes the majestic Everest landscape. As the journey up the mountain progresses, Krakauer puts it in context by recalling the triumphs and perils of other Everest trips throughout history. The author's own anguish over what happened on the mountain is palpable as he leads readers to ponder timeless questions.

Thoughts

This is a report of the 1996 Everest disaster where several people died trying to reach the summit in just one day, as told by survivor Jon Krakauer. From the afterword that hits out at those trying to discredit him, there’s some animosity about the truth on various sides of the story, but even with that in mind, this is a really well told story. It’s factual alongisde memories and thoughts, not accusatory but just trying to unravel what really happened up there.

The most interesting part, to me, was this new situation we find ourselves in where people disagree on the ethics of climbing Everest. To do it with or without supplementary oxygen? Whether guided expeditions really count for anything? Whether helping each other out to try and avoid traffic should be done… should there be traffic anyway? And I can never quite get my head around the morality of using sherpas to get to the top. It’s a lot to think about, and a really good example of how improving technology can make an impossible challenge become accessible to all. But not easy, not mundane, and not to be taken lightly - no matter what benefits you bring with you, climbing Everest can still be a matter of life or death.

Rating: 5 / 5