Into Thin Air | Key Figure Analysis

Jon Krakauer

A brave and confident lifelong climber who loves adventure, Jon Krakauer becomes a great writer and works for several periodicals, including Outside magazine, which hires him to write about the Everest expedition. He is a keen observer of people and situations and describes both thoroughly and as honestly as possible while also offering subjective interpretations of characters and events.

Rob Hall

Rob Hall is a native of New Zealand. He is a dark-haired and bearded, relaxed, personable, and easy-going world-class climber and expedition leader. He organizes expeditions carefully and works to keep his clients safe while at the same time ensuring they summit, as this improves his reputation and is good for business. He is ambitious and wants his business to succeed.

Scott Fischer

An American mountaineer and friend of Rob Hall's, Scott Fischer has his own expedition business. As the name of his company suggests, Fischer is freewheeling, fun, and willing to take risks with and for his clients to get them to the summit.