Common sense is no match for the voice of God.

The thing that is most beautiful about Antarctica for me is the light. It's like no other light on Earth, because the air is so free of impurities. You get drugged by it, like when you listen to one of your favorite songs. The light there is a mood-enhancing substance.

Mr. Franz, I think careers are a 20th Century invention and I don't want one. You don’t need to worry about me; I have a college education. I’m not destitute. I'm living like this by choice.

Common sense is no match for the voice of God.

In climbing, having confidence in your partners is no small concern. One climber's actions can affect the welfare of the entire team.

But now that I was finally here, standing on the summit of Mount Everest, I just couldn't summon the energy to care.

Most climbers aren't in fact deranged, they're just infected with a particularly virulent strain of the Human Condition.