Into Thin Air

A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Philip Franklin

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in 57 hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. As he turned to begin his long, dangerous descent from 29,028 feet, 20 other climbers were still pushing doggedly toward the top. No one had noticed that the sky had begun to fill with clouds.

Six hours later and 3,000 feet lower, in 70-knot winds and blinding snow, Krakauer collapsed in his tent, freezing, hallucinating from exhaustion and hypoxia, but safe. The following morning, he learned that six of his fellow climbers hadn't made it back to their camp and were desperately struggling for their lives. When the storm finally passed, five of them would be dead, and the sixth so horribly frostbitten that his right hand would have to be amputated.

Into Thin Air is the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest by the acclaimed journalist and author of the best seller Into the Wild. On assignment for Outside Magazine to report on the growing commercialization of the mountain, Krakauer, an accomplished climber, went to the Himalayas as a client of Rob Hall, the most respected high-altitude guide in the world.

A rangy, 35-year-old New Zealander, Hall had summited Everest four times between 1990 and 1995 and had led 39 climbers to the top. Ascending the mountain in close proximity to Hall's team was a guided expedition led by Scott Fischer, a 40-year-old American with legendary strength and drive who had climbed the peak without supplemental oxygen in 1994. But neither Hall nor Fischer survived the rogue storm that struck in May 1996.

Krakauer examines what it is about Everest that has compelled so many people - including himself - to throw caution to the wind, ignore the concerns of loved ones, and willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense.

Written with emotional clarity and supported by his unimpeachable reporting, Krakauer's eyewitness account of what happened on the roof of the world is a singular achievement. Into the Wild is available on audio, read by actor Campbell Scott.

©1997 Jon Krakauer (P)1997 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Into Thin Air ranks among the great adventure books of all time...a book of rare eloquence and power that could remain relevant for centuries." (Galen Rowell, The Wall Street Journal)

"No added dramatics are needed for the listener to imagine the high-altitude cold, fear, bravado and sense of total isolation felt by all who were trapped beyond help, as well as by those who survived. Franklin’s emulations of the multinational voices of guides, clients and Sherpas bring one still closer to the action." (AudioFile)

Worth a listen

I've read other books by Krakauer and I enjoy his writings. I had another enjoyable experience with this one. Give it a listen. Also, the reader does a great job too. The audio will at times repeat a sentence, but it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book.

A fair and brutal account

I (having not been there, nor having read others accounts) feel that Krakauer's account is mostly fair. He sticks mostly to fact, or as close as he can get from others accounts of the situation. one can say a writer and reporters job is to be completely impartial and not make judgement, and I think he does a good job of it here considering the harrowing experience.

I find his method of story telling, the unfolding of events, structure, and history all very well done. This is the second time listening to this book. I wanted to listen again after the event film Everest came out. I think this is the better of the two, but still a heartbreaking story.

Philip Franklin is an awesome narrator.

Exciting, sobering, informative-a must read

John Krakauer combines his first-person perspective with comprehensive narratives of those he was climbing with. He clearly did his homework and delivered a respectful but honest account of what happened on the doomed 1996 expedition. By the end you'll fully understand the danger of attempting to summit Everest even for the most accomplished of climbers. The narration is first class complete with accents depending on the person being quoted. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves adventure nonfiction.

Great Book!

What made the experience of listening to Into Thin Air the most enjoyable?

Learning about an extreme sport. My idea of hiking is riding my horse so in my opinion climbing Mt. Everest is best done on my rowing machine listening to Jon Krakauer. Had no clue it was 70k to have the priviledge of risking your life in sub zero temperatures, that oxygen was needed, nor that it is the same altitude that jets fly!! Who knew.

What other book might you compare Into Thin Air to and why?

My first reading of extreme sports & nothing to compare it to.

Have you listened to any of Jon Krakauer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I thought it was excellent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The life and death decisions.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely fascinating to read about a sport that I would never consider yet could vicariously experience what is involved in an extreme sport. I am awed and humbeled at their courage and tenacity. Makes you think about lots of things, strength, character, the power and unforgiving Mother Nature and sadly those who have lost their lives.

Heartbroken even with the knowledge of the ending

So many times you start reading a book and you don't want anyone to tell you the ending. Even though we are all familiar with the ending, it is still such a touching and realistic account of the 1996 Everest incident. Definitely worth the listen and this will be a book I purchase in physical form to read again and again. Thank you Jon Krakauer for your bravery in retelling the story.

Gripping and incredible first-hand account

I remember this book being a big deal when it came out, but I was pretty young at the time so I wasn't really in a position to understand or appreciate all the details of the story. I remember seeing the IMAX movie around the same time and being fascinated by that. It's been a special experience while reading this book to rediscover the allure of Everest and to become enveloped by this story I was only vaguely aware of before.

The story itself is well written, and Jon's first person account makes it even more "real." Many of the storylines were tragic of course, but also frustrating in that they were slow and avoidable tragedies.

A fast paced adventure!

This book was great! The author really captures the danger and emotion in his first hand narrative of the tragic events on Mt. Everest in 1996. The book was short, fast and right to the point and takes you quickly into the action.

Great read

great paced and exciting, Krakauer's first hand account of the 96 Everest disaster is a modern classic and perfect listening for driving up to the mountains.

A Wonderful Account of Something I Never Imagined

Exciting, heartbreaking and for me unthinkable. Bravery or insanity? I love true stories and this had such insight into how different people can be. What makes a person want to do such dangerous things just to say they did it.? five minutes at the top of the world, after what it took to get there . I don't get it, would never do it, but I'm fascinated by the courage and drive that some have to take on a massive trip up this mountain.

Great Story

Beautifully written book, kept me on the edge of my seat. The author and others seem to have residual guilt for "causing" the deaths, but from my bird's eye view, no one was at fault. Everyone who went there knew the possible outcomes. It was a series of mishaps over which no one had control.