Into Thin Air

by

Jon Krakauer

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Beck Weathers Character Analysis

Pathologist who, along with Jon Krakauer, joins Rob Hall’s expedition to Mount Everest in 1996. Weathers is one of the most inexperienced people on the expedition, and on the afternoon of May 10, he is unable to ascend to the summit because he’s been having serious problems with his eyesight. Weathers is left out in the cold for the night of May 10, during which he nearly dies. However, Weathers makes a miraculous recovery and finds the energy to walk back to his teammates. Weathers is eventually rushed to the hospital, where the doctors amputate five of his fingers. Krakauer feels exceptionally guilty for his role in Weathers’ misfortune—he blames himself for “abandoning” Weathers.

Beck Weathers Quotes in Into Thin Air

The Into Thin Air quotes below are all either spoken by Beck Weathers or refer to Beck Weathers. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Danger and Mortality Theme Icon
).
Chapter 14 Quotes

Beck was nearly persuaded to descend with me when I made the mistake of mentioning that Mike Groom was on his way down with Yasuko, a few minutes behind me. In a day of many mistakes, this would turn out to be one of the larger ones.

Related Characters: Jon Krakauer (speaker), Beck Weathers, Yasuko Namba, Mike Groom
Page Number: 199
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

There was only one choice, however difficult: let nature take its inevitable course with Beck and Yasuko, and save the group's resources for those who could actually be helped. It was a classic act of triage. When Hutchinson returned to camp he was on the verge of tears and looked like a ghost.

Related Characters: Jon Krakauer (speaker), Beck Weathers, Stuart Hutchinson, Yasuko Namba
Page Number: 260
Explanation and Analysis:

Upon first finding Beck in the tent, I was so shocked by his hideous condition—and by the unforgivable way that we'd let him down yet again—I nearly broke into tears. "Everything's going to be O.K.," I lied, choking back my sobs as I pulled the sleeping bags over him, zipped the tent doors shut, and tried to re-erect the damaged shelter. "Don't worry, pal. Everything's under control now."

Related Characters: Jon Krakauer (speaker), Beck Weathers
Page Number: 268
Explanation and Analysis:
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Beck Weathers Quotes in Into Thin Air

The Into Thin Air quotes below are all either spoken by Beck Weathers or refer to Beck Weathers. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Danger and Mortality Theme Icon
).
Chapter 14 Quotes

Beck was nearly persuaded to descend with me when I made the mistake of mentioning that Mike Groom was on his way down with Yasuko, a few minutes behind me. In a day of many mistakes, this would turn out to be one of the larger ones.

Related Characters: Jon Krakauer (speaker), Beck Weathers, Yasuko Namba, Mike Groom
Page Number: 199
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

There was only one choice, however difficult: let nature take its inevitable course with Beck and Yasuko, and save the group's resources for those who could actually be helped. It was a classic act of triage. When Hutchinson returned to camp he was on the verge of tears and looked like a ghost.

Related Characters: Jon Krakauer (speaker), Beck Weathers, Stuart Hutchinson, Yasuko Namba
Page Number: 260
Explanation and Analysis:

Upon first finding Beck in the tent, I was so shocked by his hideous condition—and by the unforgivable way that we'd let him down yet again—I nearly broke into tears. "Everything's going to be O.K.," I lied, choking back my sobs as I pulled the sleeping bags over him, zipped the tent doors shut, and tried to re-erect the damaged shelter. "Don't worry, pal. Everything's under control now."

Related Characters: Jon Krakauer (speaker), Beck Weathers
Page Number: 268
Explanation and Analysis: