Plot Summary of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Uploaded by dqueen85 on Mar 18, 2007
This book, Into Thin Air is an account of a disaster on Mt. Everest where a total of twelve people died on the mountain from a freak storm that diverted almost all rescue attempts. A surviving Seattle journalist, Jon Krakauer, narrates this account of how a supposedly safe situation turned into a desperate struggle for life.
Krakauer came to climb Everest when Outside magazine requested he report on the commercialization of the mountain. He had been a mountain climber since he was a teenager, and had dreamed of climbing Everest his whole life. He knew the risks of climbing a mountain that had taken the lives of more than 130 climbers. But, in his own words, “boyhood dreams die hard… and good sense be damned.” He found a way for the magazine to pay for his trek up the mountain and set off for Kathmandu.
In the beginning, Everest was the realm of only the most experienced mountain climbers. In the more recent years, companies that guide clients up Everest have sprung up. This makes it possible for almost anyone to climb the mountain. Clients must be in good physical condition and pay as much as $65,000 to be guided up the mountain.
Jon joins the guided expedition Adventure Consultants, guided by Rob Hall, Mike Groom, and Andy Harris. The group had a sterling reputation obtained by guiding 39 clients to the summit. They were confident in thinking they could get anyone to the summit. They were experienced and knowledgeable in the ways things are done on Everest. Other groups include Scott Fischer’s Mountain Madness expedition, with whom Adventure Consultants had a friendly rivalry for clients.
Sherpas were a necessary force when it comes to mountain climbing. These natives to the Himalaya set guide ropes and carried heavy equipment to spare the unacclimatized clients and guides the trouble. Each expedition employed eight or so Sherpas to lay the road so that the guides might be able to help the clients.
Most of the time spent on the mountain for Krakauer was spent on acclimatization runs to get the clients used to the unusually thin air on the mountain. There were five camps: Base Camp, Camp One, Camp Two, Camp Three, and Camp Four. About a month was spent...