Conrad Anker Quotes

The practical case for manned spacef light gets ever-weaker with each advance in robots and miniaturisation - indeed, as a scientist or practical man, I see little purpose in sending people into space at all. But as a human being, I'm an enthusiast for manned missions.

I've always been really curious about the limits of human capability.

Therein lies the greatness of man. Fear is never allowed to dominate that desire for greater knowledge and as long as mankind retains that spirit we will move forward.

The first ascent of Everest came at a time when humanity needed relief from two world wars. It was a unifying and inspiring event, signifying the drive to reach our greatest potential.

There is something addictive in space that makes you want to go back - like the mountain climbers who want to go back to the Himalayas although their fingers were cut by frostbite.

There's a wonderful saying that's dead wrong. 'Why did you climb the mountain?' 'I climbed the mountain because it was there.' That's utter nonsense...You climbed the mountain because you were there, and you were curious if you could do it. You wondered what it would be like.

no knowledge obtained without risk

Mountains define you. You cannot define / Them.

I like to keep pushing myself and trying things out. I get easily bored, so I need a challenge.

Three Songs 1 Mountain. I whip my quick horse and don't dismount and look back in wonder. The sky is three feet away. 2 Mountain. The sea collapses and the river boils. Innumerable horses race insanely into the peak of battle. 3 Mountain. Peaks pierce the green sky, unblunted. The sky would fall but for the columns of mountains.

If you know where it's going, it's not worth doing.

I suppose that the main drive is to find the edge of something and then throw myself over it.

You have to step over the boundaries sometimes just to find out where theyare.

- Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest, Sir? - Because it is there.

Some day I'm going to climb Everest.

I want my job to include a little adventure, a little more of a heightened reality than what I'm actually living.

One day's exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books.

Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.

A man climbs a mountain because it is there. An artist makes a work of art because it is not there.

There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.

Risk is an essential part of progress.

For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length--and there I travel looking, looking breathlessly.

We are men and our lot in life is to learn and to be hurled into inconceivable new worlds.

Its a toss-up when you decide to leave the beaten track. Many are called, few are chosen.

Adventure is important in life. Making memories matters. It doesn’t have to be a secret sea plane and an historic sports moment. But to have a great life, you need great memories. Grab any intriguing offer. Say yes to a challenge, and to the unknown. Be creative in adding drama and scope to your own life. Work at it, like a job. Money from effort comes and goes. But effort from imagination and following adventure creates stories that you keep forever. And anyone can do it.