I think it all comes down to motivation. If you really want to do something, you will work hard for it.

I think that a good mountaineer is usually a sensible mountaineer.

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.

Nobody climbs mountains for scientific reasons. Science is used to raise money for the expeditions, but you really climb for the hell of it.

I've always hated the danger part of climbing, and it's great to come down again because it's safe.

I still had the same affection for New Zealand as I've always had. Didn't change at all.

My relationship with the mountains actually started when I was 16. Every year, a group used to be taken from Auckland Grammar down to the Tangariro National Park for a skiing holiday.