A review of summit day photographs will show that I was clothed in the latest, highest quality, high altitude gear, comparable, if not better, than that worn by the other members of our expedition.

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.

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

This year my role is clear: I am a coach, a coach to sportsmen.

How could the adventure seeker of today find satisfaction with the level of performance that was a standard set more than 40 years ago ?

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