I like to think of Everest as a great mountaineering challenge, and when you've got people just streaming up the mountain - well, many of them are just climbing it to get their name in the paper, really.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I learned two basic lessons on Everest. First, just because something has worked in the past does not mean it will work today. Second, different challenges require different mindsets.
I'm always looking for a new challenge. There are a lot of mountains to climb out there. When I run out of mountains, I'll build a new one.
It's amazing that more people have climbed Mount Everest than have broken the 4-minute mile.
I realised I'd never climb Everest but thought I could still write a book.
It takes a lot of resources to climb Everest, and a lot of other people. But you should go do it.
What we can do now is contribute to a clearer understanding of what happened that day on Everest in the hope that the lessons to be learned will reduce the risk for others who, like us, take on the challenge of the mountains.
Mountaineering is one of the most difficult sports - we are away from routine life for days, living in tents, and it requires high degree of physical and mental strength.
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.
I'm done with Everest. I did it three times, and I need to be good at that and be happy with it and focus on other climbs.
Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating.