Into Thin Air is Jon Krakauer’s personal narrative of his 1996 climb of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. An accomplished and lifelong mountaineer, Krakauer’s ultimate dream was to successfully climb Everest. When the sponsorship opportunity was presented to him, with the requirement to detail his journey (as Krakauer is also a well-known journalist), he enthusiastically agreed. Krakauer’s personal account describes the history and culture of Nepal. He also provides vivid detail of the sights, sounds, and feelings of the profound expedition. Krakauer and the other climbers experience extreme physical challenges due to the weather and high altitudes, as well as emotional challenges, due to the difficulty of the climb. He also highlights the errors and misunderstandings made by both the clients and guides attempting the climb, which resulted in tremendous tragedy.

This book can be used by counselors in order to gain perspective on extreme sports and pursuits. For those who do not possess such passions, it can be difficult to understand the desire to continue engaging in such activities when so many risks are present. As counselors, it is imperative that we remain open-minded to those who set such goals, and promote a judgment-free environment that both assist clients in exploring their motivations for such endeavors and objectively assessing the associated risks. And when disaster strikes, like it did in Krakauer’s Everest journey, counselors can provide a supportive environment that assists clients in understanding and processing their grief.