As a professional climber, that’s the question you always get: Why, why, why? It’s an ineffable thing; you can’t describe it. – Jimmy Chin
I really believe that, as human beings, we have an innate need to explore, to see what’s around the corner. – Jimmy Chin
You learn over years of expeditions that having faith, and putting one foot in front of the other, you do end up pulling off climbs that seem completely impossible. There’s a certain beauty to that. It has an allure. – Jimmy Chin
I won’t ski in the backcountry the day after a big storm anymore. The mountains are so humbling. As soon as you think you’re on top or crushing it, that’s when you need to be really careful. – Jimmy Chin
I’ve tried to eat little shrubs before. We were on an unsupported 20-plus day traverse, following the migration of endangered antelope across the Chang Tang Plateau. We were like, ‘Oh, this is what they ate; we should try it.’ – Jimmy Chin
Becoming a parent has changed the risk calculus for me. But it might be age, too, and seeing a lot of friends die in the mountains. Will I take the same risks I took in my 20s? Probably not, but I will always push myself in the mountains. – Jimmy Chin
The way we approached Meru, and the way we approach a lot of these mountains, is with humility. A sense of, ‘Is it going to give us passage?’ Your mental attitude can affect the outcome. – Jimmy Chin
I’ve always been interested in working with top athletes, athletes who are pushing the edge and are really progressive in the outdoor space and adventure world. – Jimmy Chin
When I show up in New York, and I look at the skyline, it’s like showing up in a mountain range. My gaze goes toward the most impressive-looking climb. It’s always gone to the top of the World Trade Center. – Jimmy Chin
There’s intense personal gratification in finding a mountain and becoming inspired by the aesthetics of an unclimbed line on that mountain, especially if that line has been tried by a lot of people who couldn’t do it, and you get to set yourself up against the history of it. – Jimmy Chin
The two great risks are risking too much but also risking too little. That’s for each person to decide. For me, not risking anything is worse than death. By far. – Jimmy Chin
I lose anywhere up to 20 pounds on location with adventurers like Conrad Anker or Brady Robinson. So I need to replace that lost weight and muscle by training hard when I am back in the States between jobs. And as I get older, it is far more important for me to be doing this and taking my conditioning seriously. – Jimmy Chin
Mountains are like the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter who anyone is or what they do. – Jimmy Chin
I like the idea of infinite human potential, and a lot of my photography and filmmaking has been focused on that. – Jimmy Chin
People say, ‘Are you insane?’ But the most successful climbers are the most calculating, with the most refined sense of risk. They’re hyper-conscious of safety. They’re the least insane people I know. – Jimmy Chin
Taoism taught me to focus on the process and not to be attached to preconceived ideas of what I thought the outcome should be. – Jimmy Chin
I like to think that images of people doing amazing things may open people’s eyes to the human potential, to the idea that people can do the extraordinary when they set their minds to it. – Jimmy Chin
I try to live intentionally, and the things that move me, I’m going to throw myself at them. I want to see what my potential is. I’m always curious to see what the edge is. – Jimmy Chin
I loved going to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial in Taipei to watch all the old Chinese people doing tai chi and practicing kung fu. The monument was made of white marble, and it was beautiful. Sometimes my dad and I would practice with them. – Jimmy Chin
It’s hard to take people seriously who say you’re totally irresponsible if you go out and climb mountains when you have kids, because they clearly don’t understand the circumstances. You can’t impose your own acceptance of risk on other people – that’s not fair. – Jimmy Chin
Mentorship is an incredibly huge responsibility. And you need to choose your mentors carefully, just like mentors choose their apprentices carefully. There has to be trust there, on a very deep level. – Jimmy Chin
The thing that I’ve always believed is that you have to follow your passion, and if climbing is your calling in life and your craft, to not do it is a tragedy. I am always going to encourage my children to follow their passions and dreams, whatever they are. – Jimmy Chin
I’ve hidden behind the camera my whole life because I much, much, much prefer shooting. Being behind the camera is my safe space, and it’s my creative space, too. – Jimmy Chin
