Into Thin Air

Introduction:

Jon Krakauer, the author of this semi- autobiographical book gets hired by a magazine name “Outside” to write an article on the experiences of a mountain climber. The article was about the experiences of people climbing Mount Everest. For this, he was sent to get first hand personal experience to enable him write down a natural and gripping account of the lives of mountain climbers. The expedition was led by one of the most famous guides of that time, named Rob Hall. The group consisted of various climbers; some of them were mere fans. (Alden, 24-32). Krakauer recalls each and every event in detail. He has written about professional climbers who try to climb and reach to the highest peak, as well as seasonal tourists and media personnel.

The story Into the Thin Air has also highlighted some of the important decisions that are made by Rob Hall (the guide) during the expedition. The author has been criticized for his honesty and the facts that were provided by him. He has been criticized not only by the general public, but also by the relatives of the deceased climbers. The relatives went far enough to accuse him that he did not make any efforts to save the climbers. (Krakauer, 21-23)

The journey is considered to be one the most crucial and critical one as, on 10th May at 1400hrs, there were only a few climbers including Krakauer, who manage to reach to the peak of the mountain. Rob attempts to move forward in unlikely conditions, contrary to the people's advice and the oxygen supply at its end as well. The expedition is considered to be difficult because evening approaches with limited visibility and temperature dropping down at a fast rate. All the experienced climbers know that this is extremely difficult and dangerous. He turned a deaf ear to their suggestion and also took along inexperienced and incapable climbers, for the sake of earning money. This later proves to have extreme adverse consequences, leading to the death of many innocent. The decision made by Rob is viewed as strange and careless. All this was followed by an unexpected and a severe storm.

When Krakauer reaches at Camp 4, the temperature starts falling down, and the storm reduces the visibility to the minimum and they find it very difficult to go back.

The author has strictly criticized the empathic behavior of the careless climbers, namely Anatoli Bukreyev and Scott Fisher. These people purposely neglect their customers as they fall. The Kazakh climbers are able to reach to the highest peak and keep moving on, even without bottled oxygen, something that is deemed extremely harmful for the climbers.

Another climber, named Bukreyev, has also written a book explaining his experience during the journey. This book seems to be a direct reply to the criticism directed at him by Krakauer in Into Thin Air. Scott Fisher, Rob Hall and other ten climbers die successively as a consequence of hypothermia.

Into Thin Air also highlights the ...