Into Thin Air

About “Into Thin Air”

Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 10, 1996, after fifty-seven hours without sleep and suffering from oxygen deprivation. As he prepared to descend from 29,028 feet, twenty other climbers were still attempting to reach the top, unaware of the approaching storm. Into Thin Air is Krakauer's account of the 1996 Everest disaster, the deadliest season in the mountain's history. He takes readers from Kathmandu to the summit, describing the dangers and the emotional toll of the climb. The book also explores why people are drawn to Everest despite the risks. Krakauer reflects on the mountain's myth and the personal motivations that lead climbers to take extreme risks. His report is based on firsthand experience and detailed observation.