I get older I get more cantankerous, but June [Hillary] gets a bit more cantankerous, too.

When you're climbing at high altitudes, life can get pretty miserable.

I did have my moments of despair. It was certainly not - it's not an experience I would like to have again. And then June came along.

I still think have this deep desire for our Himalayan Trust - that we raise the necessary funds, that we do all the things that the Sherpas want us to do, and I would like to see us working together with them on these projects. Even though I'm old and decrepit I still have this strong feeling that I would like to carry these things out if it were still possible.

Human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain.

If the going is tough and the pressure is on, If the reserves of strength have been drained and the summit is still not in sight, then the quality to seek in the person is neither great strength nor quickness of hand, but rather a resolute mind firmly set on its purpose that refuses to let its body slack or rest.

My mother was a schoolteacher and very keen that I go to a city school, so although it was fairly impoverished times, I traveled every day to the Auckland Grammar School.