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Quote by Jon Krakauer

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Into Thin Air: A personal account of the Everest disaster

This work presents a firsthand chronicle of a tragic incident that occurred on Mount Everest, detailing the events and circumstances that led to one of the most famous mountain climbing disasters in modern history. The narrative explores the challenges faced by climbers in extreme high-altitude conditions, including severe weather, technical difficulties, and the physiological toll of operating in one of Earth's most hostile environments. Through personal observation and recollection, the account offers insight into the decisions, human factors, and survival struggles that unfolded during this historic climbing expedition. more

Author

Jon Krakauer
Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer is an American writer known for his in-depth reporting on extreme adventures and disasters. His works often focus on individual challenges and survival struggles in extreme environments, with his most famous works being 'Into the Wild' and 'Into Thin Air'. more

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“Not only during the ascent, but also during the descent my willpower is dulled. The longer I climb the less important the goal seems to me, the more indifferent I become to myself. My attention has diminished, my memory is weakened. My mental fatigue is now greater than the bodily. It is so pleasant to sit doing nothing - and therefore so dangerous. Death through exhaustion is like death through freezing - a pleasant one.”

“When I rest I feel utterly lifeless except that my throat burns when I draw breath... I can scarcely go on. No despair, no happiness, no anxiety. I have not lost the mastery of my feelings, there are actually no more feelings. I consist only of will. After each few metres this too fizzles out in unending tiredness. Then I think nothing. I let myself fall, just lie there. For an indefinite time I remain completely irresolute. Then I make a few steps again.”