I read “Into Thin Air” as well, expecting it to be some inspirational, humans-overcoming-all-odds kind of a book. It was far from it. The danger and physical tolls that climbers experience are tremendous. Even those who make the summit are not out of danger. I never got the sense of exuberance that one would expect from such a feat. It’s a Phyrric accomplishment and nothing more.
The book certainly nixed any fantasies I had about climbing mountains.