Mt Everest Summiter: Andrew Lapkass

Andrew Lapkass is an all around endurance athlete. He enjoys ultra-distance running, adventure racing, alpine and telemark skiing, climbing, free diving, swimming and of course, mountaineering.  Andy has been to the top of Everest twice. He began climbing in the Himalaya Mountains in 1984 and has since participated in over 27 expeditions in Pakistan, Tibet and Nepal. Other summits include Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyo, Ama Dablam and Pumori. 

Andrew has over 15 years experience as a Mountain Guide, he also makes his living working winters at Breckenridge as part of Ski Patrol and as a Carpenter. One factor that makes Andrew such a valuable team member while on an expedition is that he is also a Physician’s Assistant. This allows him to provide medical training to the team while on the mountain.   

As a guide Andrew has shown extreme loyalty to his clients. On the descent from his third Everest summit on a Russell Brice's commercial expedition, Andrew spent the night near the bottom of the 3rd step with Russ' client, helping him through the harsh night. By morning both men were suffering from vision problems caused by cerebral edema, frostbite and were not able to move. Both men were evacuated with the help and support of several climbers.

As the client put it so well, "ALL PEOPLE DOWN IN BASE CAMP SAID THAT I WAS SO LUCKY, BUT THIS EXPERIENCE WAS NO MATTER OF LUCK IS GOD'S SUBJECT. AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR BIVOUAC I ASKED GOD TO PROTECT US, I ASKED FOR ANDY AND MYSELF ALL THE TIME. BESIDES OF THAT I ASKED GOD TO MAKE HIS WISH ON ME, IT WAS THE WAY TO ACCEPT GOD'S WILL. HE WANTS TO KEEP ME ALIVE IN THIS WORLD LONGER, NOW I AM WORKING TO FIND OUT WHAT HE WANTS FROM ME. GOD GAVE US THAT NIGHT A VERY SPECIAL WEATHER CONDITIONS TO KEEP US ALIVE."

Just the facts: Andy summited Everest 5/19/1990, Lhotse 5/27/1998, Cho Oyu 9/26/1998, Everest 5/5/1999, Everest 5/23/2001.

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