Alpinism places unique demands on its practitioners.

Democracy makes many taxing demands on its practitioners, but suspension of the intelligence is not one of them.

— Margaret Halsey

“The new alpinism comes full circle as small teams of fit, trained athletes emulate Mummery, aspire to Preuss, climb like the young Messner. Because…

— Steve House

Within alpinism's narrow framework we seek transcendence and relentlessly pursue what remains hidden from us on flat ground: our true selves.

— Steve House

Many would argue that alpinism is art, not sport.

— Steve House

I can respect the gulf that separates alpinism from a running race and still appreciate that the physiology that accounts for endurance is the…

— Steve House

Traditional alpinism is slowly disappearing. It is becoming sport, indoors on small walls with holds where you cannot really fall.

— Reinhold Messner

I'm a storyteller. I do this for the next generations. They have to know what traditional alpinism is all about.

— Reinhold Messner

Skiing is the pleasurable part of alpinism - way more pleasurable and fun than alpine climbing.

— Michael Kennedy

Traditional alpinism is to go where the others are not going and to be self-reliant.

— Reinhold Messner

Definition: Alpinism is the art of going through the mountains confronting the greatest dangers with the biggest of cares. What we call art here,…

— Rene Daumal

“You need mountains, long staircases don't make good hikers.”

— Amit Kalantri

For me, the value of a climb is the sum of three inseparable elements, all equally important: aesthetics, history, and ethics. Together they form…

— Walter Bonatti

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

— Ueli Steck

Alpinism means you go by yourself with your own responsibility, knowing that you could die. But Everest now is more like ski tourism: preparing…

— Reinhold Messner

Mountaineering is over. Alpinism is dead. Maybe its spirit is still alive a little in Britain and America, but it will soon die out.

— Reinhold Messner