In re-reading Jon Krakauer's best seller Into Thin Air , I was shaken by the peculiar downplay on teamwork. Tragically 8 people died on their summit attempts in 1996. The poor emphasis placed on the unity and coordination of the 4 teams that were climbing that day remain a grave question. In a strange mindset the feverish quest to bull their way to the highest point on earth eclipsed the crucial pieces of communication, planning and strategic leadership. What made it even more befuddling is that Everest is a study in hundreds of high risk elements. It seems that with these dangerous factors as the constant, the necessity for serious teamwork would have been paramount.
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