“Into Thin Air is Jon Krakauer's personal account of the 1996 Everest disaster that left 8 people dead on the roof of the world.
A seasoned climber and journalist, Krakauer had harbored desires to climb Everest since a young man and was handed the opportunity when Outside magazine agreed to cover his costs as a client on a guided climb. Krakauer's assignment was to report on the increasing commercialisation of Everest and the safety considerations for taking relatively inexperienced climbers on what, even today, is a technically difficult climb.
Climbing is not the only difficulty to overcome on Everest. The effects of high altitude and cold are debilitating and the weather a factor that can change in a heartbeat. Never in his wildest dreams did Krakauer think he would become involved in one of the most tragic days in Everest's history. To this day, controversy rages on about the catalog of events that led to disaster.
Into Thin Air is a great book. Despite it being Krakauer's attempt at making peace with himself (A case of mistaken identity high on the mountain by the author himself left one victim's family devastated), it doesn't read like a cathartic outpouring. Moreso, an account of what happened that fateful day on Everest told in a very honest manner.
If the gripping story isn't enough to hold your interest, Krakauer's practised journalistic style makes this an easy read. Interesting to both climbers and non-climbers alike, Into Thin Air is a great book for both adrenaline junkies and armchair sloths.”
