Honestly, I do not experience fear in the mountains. On the contraryI feel my shoulders straightening, squaring, like the birds as they straighten their wings. I enjoy the freedom and the altitude. It is only when I return to life below that I feel the world's weight on my shoulders.

Climbing is what I do.

I don't know what being an Everest guide means. I am a coach, not a guide.

I travel to Jakarta, I see what an important country it is. I've been working with them for a year.

Mountains have the power to call us into their realms and there, left forever, are our friends whose great souls were longing for the heights. Do not forget the mountaineers who have not returned from the summits.

I am not sure the others are as committed as Rob Hall and Scott Fischer. I think there is more business now, and I know it will be impossible to stop this Everest business.

Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.