Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster, by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air is Jon Krakauer's firsthand account of the deadly 1996 Mount Everest expedition that claimed five lives in a single day. Krakauer, a journalist for *Outside* magazine, brings readers along on his harrowing journey, from the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the oxygen-starved heights of the world's tallest peak. Krakauer's vivid story-telling puts you right there on the mountain. You can almost feel the bite of the icy wind and hear the crunch of crampons on snow as he describes the grueling climb. The heart of the book is the tragedy that unfolded on May 10th. Krakauer's minute-by-minute account of the storm that engulfed the climbers near the summit is absolutely riveting. You'll find yourself holding your breath as Rob Hall, Krakauer's experienced guide, makes his final satellite phone call to his pregnant wife back in New Zealand, saying goodbye from high on the mountain.
But Into Thin Air is more than just a disaster story. Krakauer digs deep into the psyche of extreme climbers, exploring what drives people to risk everything for a chance to stand on top of the world. He doesn't shy away from tough questions, wondering if the commercialization of Everest has made the mountain more dangerous.
The book stirred up controversy in the climbing community. Some survivors challenged Krakauer's version of events, leading to a fascinating debate about memory and perception in life-or-death situations. Krakauer's unflinching honesty about his own actions and the overwhelming guilt he feels as a survivor adds another layer of emotional depth to the story.
Into Thin Air isn't just a great mountaineering book – it's a powerful exploration of human ambition, folly, and resilience in the face of nature's harshest challenges. Whether you're an armchair adventurer or a seasoned climber, this book will leave you breathless.
“Above the comforts of Base Camp, the expedition in fact became an almost Calvinistic undertaking. The ratio of misery to pleasure was greater by an order of magnitude than any mountain I’d been on; I quickly came to understand that climbing Everest was primarily about enduring pain. And in subjecting ourselves to week after week of toil, tedium and suffering, it struck me that most of us were probably seeking above all else, something like a state of grace.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Jon Krakauer is a renowned American writer known for his gripping non-fiction works that often blend elements of outdoor adventure, investigative journalism, and personal narrative. His book Into the Wild explores the life and death of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned society to live in the Alaskan wilderness. In Under the Banner of Heaven, he delves into the dark side of Mormon fundamentalism, while Where Men Win Glory examines the life and controversial death of NFL player turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman. Krakauer's writing is characterized by meticulous research, vivid storytelling, and a willingness to tackle complex, often controversial subjects.
The story on that fateful 1996 summer on Mount Everest was turned into a very popular IMAX movie in 1998 and then turned into a feature film in 2015, both called Everest. Click here to read Outside's interview with the 2015 movie's cast and crew. Please note that Krakauer clearly disputes the way things are depicted in the movie, as summarized in this separate article. And, for fans of travel-themed movies in general, feel free to check out our blog post about great movies for travel enthusiasts.
Into Thin Air stands among our top-tier selections in travel literature, and one of our top recommendations for those who love adventure books.
Discover all of our recommendations by clicking through to our summary of the absolute best in travel writing.
Expedition Everest: The Science - 360 | National Geographic
Explore the effects of climate change on Mount Everest through an immersive virtual expedition. Join a team of international scientists as they conduct groundbreaking research from Base Camp at 17,300 feet to near the summit at 27,000 feet. The National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition showcases experts collecting ice cores, installing the world's highest weather station, and gathering crucial data to understand how global warming impacts Earth's highest peak and beyond.
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