Into Thin Air

Synopsis

Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air is the true story of a 24-hour period on Everest, when members of three separate expeditions were caught in a storm and faced a battle against hurricane-force winds, exposure, and the effects of altitude, which ended in the worst single-season death toll in the peak's history.

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.

One of the inspirations for the major motion picture Everest, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Keira Knightley.

'Into Thin Air ranks among the great adventure books of all time.' - Wall Street Journal

'A harrowing tale of the perils of high-altitude climbing, a story of bad luck and worse judgment and of heartbreaking heroism.' - People

Summary

Chapter 1: Into Thin Air

* Summary: Introduces the 1996 Mount Everest expedition led by Rob Hall and Scott Fischer.
* Real Example: The climbers are greeted by a crowd of well-wishers in Kathmandu, Nepal, and embark on their journey to Everest Base Camp.

Chapter 2: The Lhotse Face

* Summary: The climbers face treacherous conditions on the Lhotse Face, an icy and windswept route to Camp 4.
* Real Example: Journalist Jon Krakauer describes the difficulties of navigating the unstable seracs (crevasses) and ice falls.

Chapter 3: Above the Clouds

* Summary: The climbers reach Camp 4 at 26,000 feet and prepare for their summit attempt.
* Real Example: Hall calculates the limited weather window for the climb and cautions his clients of the risks involved.

Chapter 4: The Balcony

* Summary: The climbers enter the "death zone" above 26,000 feet and experience extreme altitude sickness and fatigue.
* Real Example: Krakauer witnesses Hall falling ill and making the difficult decision to turn back.

Chapter 5: The Hill

* Summary: Fischer's group continues towards the summit, while Hall's team struggles with delays.
* Real Example: The climbers encounter a storm that forces them to retreat and seek shelter on the South Col.

Chapter 6: Into the Storm

* Summary: The storm intensifies and catches the climbers in its grip.
* Real Example: Krakauer and his Sherpa guide, Lopsang, become separated from the group and struggle to survive in the freezing cold and darkness.

Chapter 7: Into the Abyss

* Summary: The climbers face a night of extreme peril and suffer from hypothermia, frostbite, and the loss of their dreams.
* Real Example: Krakauer recounts the death of Rob Hall, who succumbs to exhaustion and altitude sickness.

Chapter 8: The Morning After

* Summary: The surviving climbers descend from Everest, carrying the weight of their experiences and the loss of their companions.
* Real Example: Krakauer expresses his gratitude for his own survival and reflects on the fragility of life at extreme altitudes.

Chapter 9: The Aftermath

* Summary: The author discusses the aftermath of the expedition, including lawsuits, investigations, and ethical debates.
* Real Example: Krakauer questions the commercialization of Everest and the risks taken by climbers in pursuit of adventure.

Chapter 10: The Ghosts of Everest

* Summary: The climbers return to normal life, but are forever haunted by their experiences on Everest.
* Real Example: Krakauer describes his ongoing nightmares and flashbacks related to the tragedy.