Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer recounts the harrowing events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. The story begins with Krakauer, a journalist and seasoned climber, being assigned by Outside magazine to report on the growing commercialization of Mount Everest expeditions. Initially, he plans only to go as far as Base Camp, but his childhood dream of summiting Everest reignites, and he decides to attempt the full climb with Adventure Consultants, led by renowned guide Rob Hall.
In March 1996, Krakauer arrives in Kathmandu, where he meets his teammates, including experienced and inexperienced climbers alike. Among them are Doug Hansen, a postal worker on his second attempt to summit Everest, Yasuko Namba, a Japanese businesswoman, and Beck Weathers, an American doctor. Rob Hall’s team is accompanied by Sherpas, who play a crucial role in supporting the climbers. Meanwhile, other teams, including one led by Scott Fischer of Mountain Madness, and a Taiwanese team, are also aiming for the summit around the same time.
As the teams begin their slow acclimatization process, ascending and descending various camps along Everest, Krakauer describes the physical and mental toll the altitude takes on climbers. At Camp Four, close to the summit, the teams prepare for their final push. Hall sets a tentative 2 pm cutoff time for reaching the summit, hoping to avoid climbers getting caught in dangerous weather conditions late in the day.
On May 10, 1996, Krakauer reaches the summit of Everest shortly before 2 pm, but must quickly descend due to lack of oxygen. Unbeknownst to him, other climbers on both Hall’s and Fischer’s teams are still struggling to reach the top or are caught in deteriorating weather conditions. As Krakauer returns to Camp Four, a fierce snowstorm sweeps across the mountain, creating chaos and confusion. Rob Hall, Doug Hansen, and Scott Fischer are among those still on the upper slopes of the mountain, unable to descend.
Krakauer passes someone he believes to be fellow guide Andy Harris, who is suffering from oxygen deprivation, and points him toward camp. Exhausted, Krakauer falls asleep upon returning to his tent, unaware of the unfolding disaster above. Throughout the storm, climbers become disoriented, run out of oxygen, and are unable to find their way back to camp. Several of them, including Hall, Fischer, Yasuko Namba, and Doug Hansen, perish in the storm. Despite heroic rescue efforts by Scott Fischer’s guide Anatoli Boukreev, many lives are lost.
The following day, Beck Weathers, who had been left for dead in the storm, miraculously staggers back to Camp Four with severe frostbite. He is later evacuated by helicopter. In the aftermath of the disaster, Krakauer struggles with survivor’s guilt, believing that his actions—or inactions—might have contributed to the deaths of some of his fellow climbers.
Into Thin Air ends with Krakauer reflecting on the catastrophe and the profound emotional toll it takes on him and the surviving climbers, as well as the controversies and criticisms that arise in the wake of the disaster.
Into Thin Air Book Club Questions
Here are some book club discussion questions for Into Thin Air:
- Jon Krakauer’s Role: Krakauer was both a participant and a journalist on the expedition. How do you think this dual role affected his perspective on the events? Do you think his presence influenced the actions of others on the mountain?
- Survivor’s Guilt: Throughout the book, Krakauer wrestles with guilt over surviving the disaster while others did not. How does this survivor’s guilt shape his narrative, and do you think he could have done anything differently?
- Commercialization of Mount Everest: Krakauer initially set out to report on the commercialization of Everest expeditions. What impact do you think the commercialization of climbing Everest had on the 1996 disaster? Do you think the competition between guiding companies contributed to the tragedy?
- Leadership and Responsibility: Both Rob Hall and Scott Fischer were experienced guides, yet both died during the ascent. How do you assess their leadership decisions throughout the expedition? Were there moments when you think they could have made better choices to protect their teams?
- Anatoli Boukreev’s Actions: Krakauer is critical of Boukreev for descending ahead of his clients and not using supplemental oxygen. Yet, Boukreev’s rescue efforts saved several lives. What do you think of Boukreev’s approach to guiding? Was Krakauer’s criticism of him fair?
- Team Dynamics: The climbers on Hall’s team came from various backgrounds and had differing levels of experience. How did this diversity affect the group’s cohesion and decision-making? Were there any specific climbers who stood out to you as particularly admirable or problematic?
- Risk and Reward: Climbing Everest is inherently dangerous, and the climbers on this expedition faced numerous risks. Why do you think people are drawn to climb Mount Everest despite the dangers? Does Krakauer’s book make you more or less sympathetic to those who pursue extreme challenges?
- Ethical Dilemmas: In the face of extreme conditions, climbers are often forced to make difficult decisions, such as leaving others behind to save themselves. What ethical dilemmas stood out to you in the book? How do you think you would react in a similar situation?
- Nature’s Power: Krakauer vividly describes the mountain’s beauty, but also its deadly power. How does nature itself become a character in Into Thin Air? Did the natural elements or the human mistakes feel like the more significant cause of the disaster?
- Resilience and Survival: Several climbers, such as Beck Weathers, endured unimaginable conditions and managed to survive. What qualities do you think are essential for survival in extreme situations? How do you think you would handle such a situation?
- Aftermath and Controversy: The aftermath of the 1996 disaster was marked by significant controversy, especially regarding Krakauer’s portrayal of events. How did Krakauer’s narrative influence public perceptions of the disaster? How do you interpret the different accounts, such as Boukreev’s The Climb?
- Lessons Learned: What lessons can be learned from the 1996 Everest disaster? Do you think anything has changed in modern-day mountaineering to prevent such tragedies from happening again?
Related: Educated A Memoir Summary and Book Club Questions
Final thoughts
I hope you have found this review of Into Thin Air insightful and thought-provoking. Jon Krakauer’s account of the 1996 Everest disaster is both a gripping adventure and a deeply personal exploration of survival, guilt, and the consequences of human ambition. The book raises important questions about the commercialization of extreme sports, the nature of leadership in life-or-death situations, and the fine line between triumph and tragedy. As you reflect on the events detailed in the story, I hope it prompts deeper contemplation about the risks we take and the forces—both human and natural—that shape our destinies.
