While on top of Everest, I looked across the valley towards the great peak Makalu and mentally worked out a route about how it could be climbed. It showed me that even though I was standing on top of the world, it wasn't the end of everything. I was still looking beyond to other interesting challenges.

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

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.

People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.

Becoming a 'Sir' is slightly uncomfortable at first, although it is a considerable honor. It is amazing how quickly you become accustomed to it.

Human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain.

I don't know if I particularly want to be remembered for anything. I personally do not think I'm a great gift to the world. I've been very fortunate.

I hate being called an 'icon.' I just don't like it. That's all there is to it.

I think Himalayan climbers tend to mature fairly late. I think most of the successful Himalayan climbers have ranged from 28 to just over 40, really.

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

It's not a real adventure when you have to pay for it.

Life's a bit like mountaineering - never look down.

Many people have been getting too casual about climbing Everest. I forecast a disaster many times.

Once I've decided to do something, I do usually try to carry it through to fruition.

The Sherpas play a very important role in most mountaineering expeditions, and in fact many of them lead along the ridges and up to the summit.

There is precious little in civilization to appeal to a Yeti.

When I was climbing, I built up a close relationship with the Sherpa people.

When you're climbing at high altitudes, life can get pretty miserable.

Despite all I have seen and experienced, I still get the same simple thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow in a high mountain gully and feel the same urge to climb towards it.

I don't spend a lot of time thinking about dying, but I like to think that I've - if it did occur - that I would die peacefully and not make too much of a fuss about it.