I read Into Thin Air as I was literally heading into thin air on my trek to Everest Base Camp this November. I read it for the first time 10 years ago and it helped foster an interest in mountaineering, culminating in this current trip.It tells the true story of the ill-fated 1996 Everest climbing season, in which 15 people died while attempting to climb the highest mountain on Earth. Two of these climbers were experienced trekking leaders. Krakauer was a member of one of the expedition teams and was able to give a first hand account of the other climbers, the events as he saw them and his own responsibility in the ensuing tragedy.
Krakauer, a freelance journalist writes in an easy-to-read style. He knows how to draw the reader in and due to the personalised touch in his narrative, I felt an emotional connection to some of the characters.
The book focuses heavily on the question of what went wrong and whether it was linked to the commercialisation of Everest. It raises questions such as why didn't they turn climber's around at the pre-determined time? It really makes you think about the whole mountaineering experience from a different, more political angle.
I found it particularly fascinating to read this book on my way to Base Camp as I could visualise the events that occurred. It also provided me with valuable lessons on mountain climbing and the dangers of descending. As we climbed we visited the memorials of some of those who had died on Everest and it made this experience all the more sobering.
I know Krakauer was criticised after the release of the book for his portrayal of some of the other climbers and the blame he inadvertantly placed on the trekking companies. It is for this reason, that I'm hoping to read more accounts of this tragedy including Beck Weather's Left for Dead and The Climb : tragic ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev.
All up, however, this is probably one of my favourite books filled with emotional details and deep analysis of what can go wrong when commercialisation and the natural elements meet.
2 comments:
I found Krakauer's book both compelling and entertaining. I think he makes a lot of good points, and I think he had a good eye for seeing many of the controversial things that were happening on the mountain. If you want to get a better feel for Boukreev, I might suggest his "Above the Clouds." In "The Climb" he was interviewed by DeWalt in English without a translator. "Above the Clouds" is actually a translation of his climbing diaries, published posthumously, and it gives a much more personal and less combative take on his view of things. "Above the Clouds," though, covers many of his climbs, and is not focused specifically on the 1996 tragedy, though the book gives it fair space.
Thanks for the suggestion Grant. I think Boukreev was a really interesting person and I'd love to read his personal account. I'll add it to my list.
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