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

Big mountains are a completely different world: snow, ice, rocks, sky, and thin air. You cannot conquer them, only rise to their height for a short time; and for that they demand a great deal. The struggle is not with the enemy, or a competitor like in sports, but with yourself, with the feelings of weakness and inadequacy. That struggle appeals to me. It is why I became a mountaineer.

I offer my expertise and experience for hire in order to help a group of people reach the summit.

I cannot say to be glad or not glad to be on Everest. It is my life. I have opportunity to be here, so I am here.

Mountains are cathedrals: grand and pure, the houses of my religion. I go to them as humans go to worship...From their lofty summits, I view my past, dream of the future, and with unusual acuity I am allowed to experience the present moment. My strength renewed, my vision cleared, in the mountains I celebrate creation. On each journey I am reborn.

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.

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