Into Thin Air is a 1997 nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer that documents the ill-fated 1996 Mount Everest expedition of commercial mountaineering outfit Adventure Consultants. The book recounts the events leading up to and following an avalanche that struck the mountain on May 10, 1996, killing eight climbers, including two members of Adventure Consultants’ team. In his narrative, Krakauer reflects upon what went wrong during this tragedy and examines how factors such as inexperience, weather conditions, overcrowding at the base camp, and human error all contributed to its disastrous outcome.
Krakauer’s account has been praised for its vivid detail and gripping storytelling style, which captures both the physical danger of climbing at high altitudes as well as the psychological complexity of those who choose to take part in extreme sports like mountaineering. By interweaving personal accounts from survivors with his own observations, he creates a compelling narrative about life at 29,000 feet that has captivated readers since it was first published over twenty years ago. It also serves as a cautionary tale against hubris, reminding us of our mortality while showing us just how powerful nature can be when we underestimate her force or fail to respect her limits.