Ueli Steck

Today, to find a challenge is really hard. In the Alps, everything is done. The new lines, almost all of them are finished. So to find a new challenge, it's all beginning to go to speed.

Everest is how it is right now. We have to fix ropes up there; we have the commercial expeditions. If you don't like that, go on another mountain or choose another part of the mountain. There's still space for everybody.

Once you start, if you're still afraid, don't do it. Either it's too hard, or you're not prepared. I've never done something when I was scared.

During the climb, I never get afraid. But you can't lose your fear - it is really important. If you lose it, you are going to die.

Slow down and stay alive.

The people in Nepal don't care about alpinism; they just care about money.

Everybody has to choose his or her own way to climb a mountain. I don't give an opinion. But there needs to be enough room for others.

I'm getting older, turning 40 this year. I had a period where I thought each expedition had to be something harder, something faster. But you can't go on like that, or you're going to die.

I don't worry about other people, and I don't let them influence me too much. I try to find out what I want to do and not what other people want me to do.

I don't like being restricted. When I climb, I feel free and unrestricted; away from any social commitments.

It's like a living process. You start out, and you see the Eiger north face, and you think, 'That's impossible.' Then you start to dream. Then you climb the Eiger north face. Then maybe you go to the Himalaya.

Right now, I'm just focused on the 8,000-meter peaks. I don't know what's next. I don't think I will get tired of climbing.

When you go to the mountains, you really have to accept that there is always a risk. It's more dangerous than sitting at home watching TV. It's really sad.

I don't like talking about climbing that much. You don't have to discuss; just do it.

My first climb was on lead; there were pitons, no bolts.

I don't have a death wish. On the contrary, I'm hanging onto my life like never before.

I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it got to the point where I either had to get a job or start trying to make some real money from it. I didn't want to be 45 and a dirtbag.

The goal is not to solo. Of course, it is possible to move fast in alpine style also with a partner. I just need the right partner.

No one in Switzerland knows me as the Swiss Machine, and that's good, because I don't like it.

I don't need to come back to Everest.

Not all Sherpas are bad. There are a few who are crazy, but the rest are good people.

These guys make a lot of money. Of course it's hard and dangerous work, but Sherpas are the rich people in Nepal. If you make so much money, you can somehow lose reality.

Climbing Everest is so big now, with so much money involved, and the Sherpas are not stupid. They see this, and they want to take over the business and kick out the westerners. This is a big fight.

It's really impressive what those like Messner and Walter Bonatti have done - they are a big part of the history of alpinism.

That's what it's all about. It doesn't matter if you climbed the Eiger's north face in two hours and forty-seven minutes or in two days. If it's your challenge, and you're happy with it, that's the most important thing.