I found fear stimulating. Particularly after you've done something that you'd been frightened of at the time, but you carried through and did the job.

My mother really was the strength in our family. She would sort of keep us in line and I admired her very much .

I had never experienced anything like it before and I don't think I have experienced anything like it since [on Ruapehu]. It was my dreams coming true in a way, and from there on I tended to become more of a doer than a dreamer.

It's all bullshit on Everest these days.

If I'm selecting a group, the first thing I look for is a record of achievement . . . If (candidates achieve) in small things, there's a very good chance they'll perform well in big things.

I don't know if I particularly want to be remembered for anything. I personally do not think I'm a great gift to the world. I've been very fortunate.

There is precious little in civilization to appeal to a yeti.