“No matter what the future holds in store, I can say now—out loud, without hesitation—something that, sadly, all too few men and women can… — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
“What drives my life is not the desire to get along with other people or make friends so much as a moral obligation to… — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
The mountain decides whether you climb or not. The art of mountaineering is knowing when to go, when to stay, and when to retreat. — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
I believe that, with anything in life, if you have the patience, desire and passion, you can do whatever you set your mind to. — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
“Morally, however, we had had absolutely no choice but to abort our summit try to help Thor and Chantal get down the mountain. That’s why I find it so hard to stomach all the accounts in recent years—especially on Everest—of climbers ignoring others in trouble for fear a rescue effort would sabotage their own summit bids.” — Ed Viesturs Copy Share
“That’s leadership: lead by example, lead from the front, inspire people to follow your lead.” — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
“Although I remain uncertain about God or any particular religion, I believe in karma. What goes around, comes around. How you live your life, the respect that you give others and the mountain, and how you treat people in general will come back to you in kindred fashion. I like to talk about what I call the Karma National Bank.… — Ed Viesturs Copy Share
“the men placed willow wands every 50 feet or so to mark their route—as I did in 1992, but as no one bothered to… — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
Early on May 23, 1997, from 28,500 feet on Everest, I witnessed the incredible shadow of the mountain, the penumbra, forming to the west… — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
“By now, a significant portion of the whole Sherpa economy depends on the spring and fall seasons on Everest.” — Ed Viesturs Copy Share Image
