With 'Into Thin Air,' author Jon Krakauer remembers the 1996 Everest disaster

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published May 11, 2026 at 8:52 AM PDT

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The cover of "In Thin Air" and author Jon Krakauer. (Courtesy of Penguin Random and Scott McDermott)

In May 1996, a blizzard struck as multiple climbing teams were attempting to summit Mount Everest. Eight climbers were lost.

Journalist Jon Krakauer wrote about the tragedy in his 1997 book “Into Thin Air.” On this 30th anniversary of the tragedy, he speaks with host Robin Young.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.