All my life the only thing I've been good at has been climbing and throwing myself off big things.

For me, my training is a key part of my work as so often my life has depended on being able to move fast and haul myself up and out of something fast!

Many people find it hard to understand what it is about a mountain that draws men and women to risk their lives on her freezing, icy faces - all for a chance at that single, solitary moment on the top. It can be hard to explain. But I also relate to the quote that says, Iif you have to ask, you will never understand.

I come from a line of self-motivated, determined folk - not grand, not high society, but no-nonsense, family-minded go-getters.

I loved climbing because of the freedom, and having time and space. I remember coming off Everest for the last time, thinking of Dad and wishing that he could have seen what I saw. He would have loved it.

How you speak about others speaks loudest about yourself.

I love Ray Mears. He's brilliant. He's so rude about me in the press, it's outrageous!