A lifelong votary of 'small party mountaineering', particularly to unexplored areas and mountains, Roberts disliked the repeated attempts on Everest. The big first was taken for ever in 1953, he wrote in 1979,and other firsts must now be sought - the first ascent by a woman, without oxygen, by such and such a nationality, and, a big prize to come, the first ascent in elastic-sided boots. However, he was encouraged by a renewed interest in small expeditions: ...there are signs that a renaissance of small party mountaineering (even to the highest summits) is on the way.