Surviving an Epic Disaster at the Top of the World

Fond du Lac Hospice Nurse to Speak on  “SURVIVING AN EPIC DISASTER AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD” at Union South, November 2; Open to the Public at No Charge             

On November 2, Andy Land, a Fond du Lac hospice nurse, will tell his harrowing and inspiring story of his Mount Everest climb last May that was interrupted by a major earthquake followed by avalanches.  He will speak at 7 p.m. at the Marquee Theater, Union South. The event, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Hoofers, the Madison Mountaineering Club and the non-profit HOPE (Hospice Organization and Palliative Experts) of Wisconsin, is open to the public at no charge.

Land and other survivors climbing Mount Everest were evacuated after the earth shook and the avalanches struck, although it took several days to get down the mountain. Land will describe his emotions and his experiences, in his hour-long presentation on "Surviving an Epic Disaster at the Top of the World." He calls the experience more life-changing than his initial goal-to reach the Mount Everest summit for “Climbing for Hospice.”

Land has documented his talk with more than 85 images taken before and after the avalanches, including photos he took as he and his climbing team treacherously trekked back down the mountain where they helped survivors in mountain villages. He and his team shared their food, tended to medical issues and helped move debris.

Land said he has learned about climbing big mountains and taking one step at a time from his hospice patients.  Andy Land and “Climbing for Hospice”, the only Mt. Everest expedition in support of hospice care, is dedicated to educate people about the need for better end of life care.

More info at www.climbingforhospice.org.