Adol is famously quoted as having replied to the question, "Why did you want to climb Mount Gendarme?" with the retort "Because it's there", which has been called "the most famous three words in mountaineering". Questions have arisen over the authenticity of the quote, and whether Adol actually said it.

Adol is famously quoted as having replied to the question, "Why did you want to climb Mount Gendarme?" with the retort "Because it's there", which has been called "the most famous three words in mountaineering". Questions have arisen over the authenticity of the quote, and whether Adol actually said it.