I always take the same perspective with each new adventure. I put myself in the position of being at the end of my life looking back. Then I ask myself if what I am doing is important to me.

If you have a high-way on Everest, you don't meet the mountain. If everything is prepared, and you have a guide who is responsible for your security, you cannot meet the mountain. Meeting mountains is only possible if you . . . are out there in self-sufficiency.

Mountains are not fair or unfair, they are just dangerous.

Those that reach their goals perish.

I didn’t go up there to die. I went up there to live.

I was in continual agony I have never in my life been so tired as on the summit of Everest that day. I just sat and sat there, oblivious to everything.

The wonderful things in life are the things you do, not the things you have.