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

Boredom has always been a problem.

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

I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb [to Everest] was George Lowe: he was strong, a good man on a mountain, with a great sense of humour, and I liked that. I think George and I could've done that together ... I've probably never told George that.

I had a very strong desire to carry out adventures, but in those early days I didn't actually do any. I just dreamt about it.

I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.

I'm past carrying out some of the wishes that I would have wanted to do before, but I still dream about what I would like to do if I was able to do so.