Into Thin Air

Title: Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

Author: Jon Krakauer
Publisher: Anchor Books

Paperback, 337 pages

Published :1999 ( first published 1997)

FTC: Purchased at Borders 

Synopsis: A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster.






My Thoughts 

 Recently, I posted a review on my book blog that I thought would be appropriate here as much of this blog has to do with my love for nature and outdoors in general.

Into Thin Air readers, follow the author, Jon Krakauer, in chapters that alternate “Before” and “After" the Mt. Everest event that changed his life and the lives of many others. Because Jon has to make us realize what drove/called him to attend this expedition. He was on an assignment from Outside magazine- an assignment he'd requested. 

I was a young adult back in1996 and followed the reports about the May 10-11, Mt. Everest tradgety. This book set on my to be read shelf a very long time. I'd pick it up. Start it. And put it back down. 

This year, I made up my mind to read it through. And I never get to a point where I'm not interested in his story. I found, it was for me, an on the edge- of - my seat, frenetic sort of read. What I loved most about this story is the real factor. The love of hiking and mountain climbing can be difficult in good conditions. Adding blizzard conditions, during attempts to ascend to or descend from a summit, make it near impossible and yet there is a sense of reverence that most any hiker states they feel about being on an expedition or for that matter any trail.

My Conclusion
I recommend this. This book was every bit as difficult to read as I thought it would be. It was no debate. This was a five star read for me. It is not perfect. It is heartbreaking - and real. It does offer good advice on the importance of buddy systems, gear checks and listening to your inner voice for guidance. 


OF NOTE:  Back in the 1990's, I read an excellent book titled, "Into The Wild", also by Jon Krakauer. That book, still remains in the top of my all time favorite adventure reads.  

Author Jon Krakauer