4/20/00
Gorak Shep, Nepal
6:00 P.M. local time (8:15 A.M. EDT)

Hello everyone,
Bruce Andrews here, saying hello from Gorak Shep. We had a beautiful morning followed by what looks like another system. Lenticular clouds hovered over Nuptse and Pumori early this afternoon, and since 2:00 P.M. we’ve had snow here in camp. Hopefully this stuff will move out of here sooner than later.

Today we really saw the effects of the altitude. I had Dave spend the day and evening down in Loboche due to AMS. He is in a teahouse tonight with Pasaign Sherpa relaxing, rehydrating, and staying warm. We will meet back with Dave tomorrow evening with hopes that he has recharged his batteries!

Tomorrow we will attempt Kala Patar prior to heading down valley to Loboche. Looking forward to high pressure moving in and getting ride of this unstable weather.

A big hello to all back at the Colorado Mountain School and at home.

All for now.
Bruce Andrews
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Bruce Andrews is an AMGA-certified rock guide. He guides and instructs at all levels and disciplines of rock and ice climbing and mountaineering. With over ten years of guiding experience, Bruce has led courses and guided expeditions to Mexico, Alaska, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina (Aconcagua), Chile (Patagonia), and the Himalayas. He has also made major ski descents throughout the Rockies and on expeditions to Alaska and the Cascades. As a co-owner of the Colorado Mountain School, Bruce oversees program and staff development, and he’s the overall expeditions coordinator. Bruce possesses degrees in wilderness leadership and in Spanish language and literature.