Metacognitive
I selected Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air because I wanted a suspenseful book, that was exciting from beginning to end. Soon after reading the back cover I was intrigued although skeptical of it being a boring biography, since it was a first hand account of the events. But once Krakauer started to talk about his climbing expeditions, I was hooked. He talked about his adventures with such vivid language and passion, that it drew me in to want more. Krakauer was asked to join a Everest expedition to write an article of the experience in a magazine. When Krakauer first showed up to the expedition, he didn't think that his fellow teammates on the expedition were as committed as him. But it isn't until later in the journey when they are fighting for their lives, that he realizes that they were in fact more committed then himself to the expedition. Later he gained approbation for his fellow teammates, for they showed courage throughout the journey. For example, when Beck, his teammate, was left for dead he managed to make it back to camp; he did this while fighting his frostbitten limbs blinded eyes, Beck shows true courage and commitment on Everest.
My favorite part about the circuitous journey, is the constant growth and self reflection Krakauer shows. As the novel starts off, Krakauer is constantly speaking to his climbing abilities, and his accomplishments. But is humbled by the death of his teammates and friends on the mountain, and starts to abominate himself for their deaths. He shifts from a climber with a prerogative to climb Everest, to a climber who gained perspective on the need for his teammates to succeed. For example, when he says “...I quickly came to understand that climbing Everest was primarily about enduring pain. And in subjecting ourselves to week after week of toil, tedium, and suffering, it struck me that most of use were probably seeking, above else, something like a state of grace" (Krakauer 133). His goals shifted from reaching the summit, to getting everyone off the mountain safely. I found it very interesting that Krakauer was so jaded couldn't even muster the energy to take a photo on the summit of Everest. This speaks to the lurid environment, causing a state of complete exhaustion. Due to his exhaustion ad low oxygen level, he reached the peak of the world and didn't stay longer than two minutes.
My favorite part about the circuitous journey, is the constant growth and self reflection Krakauer shows. As the novel starts off, Krakauer is constantly speaking to his climbing abilities, and his accomplishments. But is humbled by the death of his teammates and friends on the mountain, and starts to abominate himself for their deaths. He shifts from a climber with a prerogative to climb Everest, to a climber who gained perspective on the need for his teammates to succeed. For example, when he says “...I quickly came to understand that climbing Everest was primarily about enduring pain. And in subjecting ourselves to week after week of toil, tedium, and suffering, it struck me that most of use were probably seeking, above else, something like a state of grace" (Krakauer 133). His goals shifted from reaching the summit, to getting everyone off the mountain safely. I found it very interesting that Krakauer was so jaded couldn't even muster the energy to take a photo on the summit of Everest. This speaks to the lurid environment, causing a state of complete exhaustion. Due to his exhaustion ad low oxygen level, he reached the peak of the world and didn't stay longer than two minutes.
Questions
1.) If you were in Krakauers position, would you move ahead of the group?
2.) Where do you draw the line on responding to emergencies? what if it compromises your health?
3.) Would you stay longer on the summit of the world?
4.) What would you do in Beck's position?
5.) Would you risk your life if you within 300ft of the summit, but it would risk your life?
2.) Where do you draw the line on responding to emergencies? what if it compromises your health?
3.) Would you stay longer on the summit of the world?
4.) What would you do in Beck's position?
5.) Would you risk your life if you within 300ft of the summit, but it would risk your life?