I didn’t go up there to die. I went up there to live.

When I rest I feel utterly lifeless except that my throat burns when I draw breath... I can scarcely go on. No despair, no happiness, no anxiety. I have not lost the mastery of my feelings, there are actually no more feelings. I consist only of will. After each few metres this too fizzles out in unending tiredness. Then I think nothing. I let myself fall, just lie there. For an indefinite time I remain completely irresolute. Then I make a few steps again.

Mountains are not fair or unfair, they are just dangerous.

I was in continual agony; I have never in my life been so tired as on the summit of Everest that day. I just sat and sat there, oblivious to everything.

I didn’t go up there to die. I went up there to live.

I want to solve a climbing problem in the mountains, not in the sporting goods store.

Those that reach their goals perish.