This is the true story of a 24-hour period on Everest, when members of three separate expeditions were caught in a storm & faced a battle against hurricane-force winds, exposure, & the effects of altitude, which ended the worst single-season death toll in the peak`s history. In March 1996, ” Outside” magazine sent veteran journalist & seasoned climber Jon Krakauer on an expedition led by celebrated Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall & the other leaders, by the end of summit day eight people were dead. Krakauer`s book is at once the story of the ill-fated adventure & an analysis of the factors leading up to its tragic end. Written within months of the events it chronicles, ” Into Thin Air” clearly evokes the majestic Everest landscape. As the journey up the mountain progresses, Krakauer puts it in context by recalling the triumphs & perils of other Everest trips throughout history. The author`s own anguish over what happened on the mountain is palpable as he leads readers to ponder timeless questions.