John Krakauer Analysis

Annually, 1 in 1,750 people die while climbing mountains. Both authors, John Krakauer and Erik Weihenmayer, have successfully reached the summit during their climbing experience. John Krakauer climbed the Devils Thumb located in Alaska. Erik Weihenmayer climbed Mt. Everest located in Nepal. Even though both of these climbers reached the top, their experiences while doing it were very different. This essay will talk about the similarities and differences between the author’s perspective, the organizational structure, and the tone of their stories. John was a very experienced climber, since he has been climbing from a young age. This climb was not like other climbing expeditions because he went alone. He states, “I had no radio, nor any other

He doesn’t think about all the consequences and the dangerous things that could occur to him. He shows his braveness by climbing the mountain all alone. Eventually, once he realizes how dangerous it is, he starts to question if he should keep going or turn back. “I carried no rope, no tent or bivouac gear, no hardware save my ice axes.”, he stated. This shows how he will do it alone and even without proper equipment. Unlike John, Erik and his team were properly equipped the whole way up. It seems they had this planned ahead of time unlike John’s in the moment decision. His words show how he never wanted to descend from the mountain. He even felt bad for those of his team who did have to turn back. Erik, even with his disability, had only positive thoughts and words to say to his team. In the end, both, John and Erik, succeeded to reach the summit of the mountains they climbed. They both were very brave and motivated through all the obstacles that crossed their path. Even though they had different disadvantages and problems they both wanted it very badly. They gave their all to complete the task they set out to do from the start. They are both very strong, brave, and courageous