The Argument In Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air

Kayleigh McFarland
English IH
Mrs. Walker
March 6th, 2018
February Outside Reading:
Analytical Question: What is the argument in Jon Krakauer 's Into Thin Air? Jon Krakauer 's Into Thin Air details the story of the disaster in which several climbers died on the slopes of Mt. Everest in 1996, as witnessed by Jon Krakauer. Krakauer recounts the events of the ill-fated expeditions from his own personal experience and makes several suggestions as to what may have led to the climbers being caught high on the mountain when they might have turned back and remained safe. He also examines his own role in the events as they unfolded, and how much he himself is to blame for what happened. Throughout the novel, Krakauer argues that through trust and

While this idea may be closely related to the premise of trust, it plays its own separate role. On Everest, loyalty by definition means that man will act upon his morals and rescue his fellow climber, even if it leads to their heroic death. Countless times during the climb, clients get into trouble and their guides rush to their assistance, at times climbing for hours and for thousands of extra feet to perform rescues, bring oxygen, or assist in climbing. During those times, loyalty means not hesitating to help someone else for fear of one 's own safety, and the guides and clients that are most trusted among the group are the ones who display loyalty. Lopsang Sherpa is fiercely loyal to Fischer, almost to the exclusion of other climbers. When Fischer is lost on the summit, Lopsang 's search for him is not deterred, even by the deadly weather. Hall is similarly loyal to Hansen, refusing to leave Hansen at the summit. Hall 's loyalty to Hansen eventually results in his death—he could have left Hansen at the top and climbed down, but he does not even consider it. "But forty minutes later, Hall was still with Hansen atop the Hillary Step, going nowhere. During radio calls from Hall at 5:36, and again at 5:57, Cotter implored his mate to leave Hansen and come down alone. 'I know I sound like the bastard for telling Rob to abandon his client, ' confessed Cotter, 'but by then it was obvious that leaving

Krakauer’s first person accountancy of the disaster puts forth the argument that trust and loyalty are the key elements and perseverance, and the key to survival. Through his own personal experiences, Krakauer highlights the intended purpose of the novel and sets numerous tones. Krakauer examines what it is about Everest that has compelled countless people, including himself, to 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