A Publishable Synopsis

  In Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer spends the third and fourth chapters developing the characters of his Everest climbing team.  We meet Rob Hall, the head guide of this expedition, a physically lanky but responsible leader.  Krakauer provides some background information about Hall, and tells of the tragedy surrounding his past.

  Born in New Zealand, Rob Hall relentlessly pursued his dream of conquering Mount Everest from an early age.  Hall eventually became so engrossed in the sport that he became seen as a professional in the eyes of many.  After successfully climbing to the summit of Everest, Hall began to look into sponsorship opportunities.  With his partner Gary Ball, Rob Hall (rhyming names is completely coincidental) started a challenge to climb the seven tallest mountains on each of the seven continents, in seven months.  They finish this test with only hours to spare, and gain recognition worldwide as accomplished climbers.  Hall and Ball eventually come to the realization that continuing to attempt these dangerous challenges for sponsorship opportunities is only going to end in disaster.  Both of them retire, and decide to start a business to help guide those who want to make it to the peak of Everest, but may not have the proper training to do so unaided.  Their guiding agency is frowned upon by much of the climbing community and is seen as an attempt to "commercialize" the sport.  Peter Hillary, a former climbing partner of Krakauer's and practically a "mountain climbing demi-god",  publicly calls out Hall's business as a shameful practice.  However, it did not end here for Hall.  Five months after the Hillary outcry, Ball dies in Rob Hall's arms from an altitude-related illness on top of the world's sixth tallest mountain.

  Krakauer puts a great deal of time into developing Rob Hall's character during these two chapters, as he is literally the guiding force behind this ill-fated journey.  I came to understand Hall as an old legend, who simply sputtered out of the spotlight.  I believe understanding this part of who Hall is, will be integral to a large part of the story.