In thin air

Jon Krakauer's novel, "Out in the Open Air," is the true story of a 24-hour expedition on Everest's summit, when members of three separate climbing expeditions battled a storm, high winds, the elements, and the effects of altitude, resulting in the worst single-season death toll in the summit's history. In March 1996, Outside magazine sent veteran journalist and longtime climber Jon Krakauer on an expedition led by renowned Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the experience of Hall and the other leaders, eight people had died by the end of summit day. Krakauer's book chronicles the ill-fated adventure and analyzes the factors that led to its tragic end. Written over the course of months, "Out in the Open Air" vividly evokes the majestic landscape of Mount Everest. As the ascent progresses, Krakauer contextualizes it by recalling the triumphs and perils of other Everest expeditions throughout history. The author's own anguish over what happened on the mountain is palpable, prompting readers to ponder timeless questions. The novel was one of the inspirations for the blockbuster movie "Everest," starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Keira Knightley. "'Out in the Air' ranks among the greatest adventure books of all time." - The Wall Street Journal. "A harrowing tale of the perils of high altitude climbing, of bad luck and worse wisdom, and of heartbreaking heroism." - People.