It has been a long road. From a mountain coolie, a bearer of loads, to a wearer of a coat with rows of medals who is carried about in planes and worries about income tax.

If I know I make this much trouble, I never climb Everest.

I hope my twin brother will look exactly like me but more sporty.

I have climbed my mountain, but I must still live my life.

If it is a shame to be the second man on Mount Everest, then I will have to live with this shame.

To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.

I needed to go . . . the pull of Everest was stronger for me than any force on earth.