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.

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

Those that reach their goals perish.

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

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.

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