“In order to succeed you must be exceedingly driven, but if you’re too driven you’re likely to die.” (186). In his novel, Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer compares and contrasts a climber’s ambition and the dangers of Everest. Krakauer’s motivation urges him to endure the challenges, pain, and suffering during the expedition. However, climbers make life-altering decisions in times of hardship which may lead to their annihilation. The spirit of enthusiasm often overlooks the fury of nature and the limitations of man. When faced with the ferocity of the mountain, the motives of the expedition create more of a sense of regret than achievement. In the novel Into Thin Air, Krakauer portrays the interplay between fear and regret as he faces his fears summiting Everest and realizes how his life-altering decisions consequently doom him in regret..
Initially, Krakauer climbs Everest to fulfill a dream, and experience a sense of triumph, however that quickly turns into pain and trauma. Primarily, it is an attraction to adrenaline and to achieve a sense of triumph. Everest is “a burning ambition to be a great climber, to be one of the best in the world” (67); it is what allows passion to grow. Commercialization of Everest portrays it as an easy activity and distorts the danger. The climbers tend to under play the perils that are present on the mountain. When they are faced with the reality of the climatic conditions, lack of oxygen and deliriousness, the fear of the situation sets in. The evidence of this fear is displayed in the novel when Fischer and Krakauer exchange perspectives. Krakauer says, “It would be