I'm intrigued by fanatics - people who are seduced by the promise, or the illusion, of the absolute. Jon Krakauer absolutefanaticillusion Change image and share on social
When I was 23, I went to Alaska by myself into the glaciers of the coast range and climbed a mountain by myself. It was incredibly reckless, incredibly stupid. But I was lucky. And I survived, and I came back to tell my story. Jon Krakauer alaskabackclimb share on social
There is nothing glamorous or romantic about war. It's mostly about random pointless death and misery. Jon Krakauer deathglamorousmisery Change image and share on social
When I went to Everest, I underestimated things. I just didn't know what altitude could do. Or the cold - I especially didn't appreciate the cold. It can be just debilitating, and things can happen so quickly. Jon Krakauer altitudecolddebilitate share on social
You get a compound fracture in Colorado where I live, and you can probably be in a hospital within a matter of hours, certainly within a day. Jon Krakauer coloradocompoundday Change image and share on social
There's something about being afraid, about being small, about enforced humility that draws me to climbing. Jon Krakauer afraidclimbdraw Change image and share on social
Everest is not real climbing. It's rich people climbing. It's a trophy on the wall, and they're done... When I say I wish I'd never gone, I really mean that. Jon Krakauer climbeverestpeople Change image and share on social
Let's not mince words: Everest doesn't attract a whole lot of well-balanced folks. The self-selection process tends to weed out the cautious and the sensible in favor of those who are single-minded and incredibly driven. Which is a big reason the mountain is so dangerous. Jon Krakauer attractbalancebig share on social
You can get a lawyer with two months off or a New York socialite who wants to play at being Lewis and Clark and put them up there, but Everest is still in charge; it can still kick butt. Jon Krakauer buttchargeclark Change image and share on social
I'm not even religious, but I get fanaticism. I get the appeal of it. Jon Krakauer appealfanaticismreligious Change image and share on social
