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.

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

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

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.

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.