Andrew Brash

Calgary Climber and Author of 200 Metres From Everest’s Summit, Canadian Halts Climb to Rescue Man.

Categories: Adventure, Collaboration, Ethics, Inspiration, Motivation, Virtual Workplace, Workplace Safety Tag: Alberta

Andrew Brash, a Calgary teacher and climber, has chased his climbing dreams for more than 20 years. These include some of the highest and impressive mountain conditions in the world, including Tibet, Pakistan, China, Alaska, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Chile.

In May 2006, Andrew and his teammates created international headlines by stopping 200 metres below the summit of Mt. Everest. They stopped to assist Lincoln Hall an Australian climber. Hall was laying in the snow, and nearly dead. Hall’s team thought he had died and his team had left him along the trail. He spent the long cold night by himself in the death zone above 8,600, on the mountain.

Hall began suffering from altitude sickness as he was descending from cresting the summit the day before. Hall’s team mates had declared him dead. They continued without him. There are reports that more than 40 other climbers passed him without helping. His family had already been informed about his death over satellite phone.

Twelve hours later dead, Brash and his teammates came across Hall on their way to the Mt Everest summit. Brash and his teammates helped Hall down the mountain, even though they had limited oxygen supplies. Thankfully Lincoln survived. Andrew’s summit goals had to wait. He was recently recognized and awarded an honorary degree by the University of Calgary for his part in the rescue that saved an Australian climbers life.

Brash returned to Mount Everest in the spring of 2008. Their team was forced to the Nepali side of the mountain because Chinese officials had closed access to Tibet. They feared Olympic protests on the mountain. His return expedition in turmoil, the adventure on Everest will have to wait another for another time.

Andrew is well known in climbing circles with many climbers mentioning that Andrew Brash has one of the most fascinating climbing resumes in Canada. Numerous articles and photographs have been published in:

The Canadian Alpine Journal,
Climbing Magazine,
The American Alpine Journal,
High Mountain Sports,
On the Edge Magazine,
Explore Magazine and
National Geographic Adventure Magazine,
He was profiled in Gripped Magazine.

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The Profound Impact of Commitment and Compassion

In the spring of 2006 Andrew had the opportunity to attempt Mt. Everest, a goal he had first set for himself when he began climbing over twenty years ago. Two hundred metres below the top, Andrew and his fellow climbers discovered Lincoln Hall, a man who had been presumed dead. Assisting Lincoln to recover, and to organize his rescue, meant giving up the summit, and a lifelong dream.

Safety: An Attitude for Life

Climber Andrew Brash offers a unique perspective on the increasingly important topic of safety in the workplace. After negotiating the very dangerous world of high altitude mountaineering for over 20 years, Andrew has some extremely interesting and relevant insights into how to maintain personal safety in very dangerous environments. Andrew’s core philosophy is to be able to climb for life – a long life. In order to accomplish this, certain principles need to be applied without exception when operating in dangerous environments. This philosophy applies in remarkable ways to safety in the workplace, particularly in potentially dangerous industrial settings. Industry is increasingly placing a priority on the safety of its workers and are working toward building cultures of safe practice in the workplace. Andrew has delivered presentations to several corporations regarding their safety programs that have been enthusiastically received by event organizers, audiences and management alike.

Collaboration: The Key to Maximizing Success

Andrew offers a unique perspective on the increasingly important topic of collaboration in the workplace. After negotiating the very dangerous world of high altitude mountaineering for over 20 years, Andrew has some extremely interesting and relevant insights of the value and power of effective collaboration. Andrew has had world renowned success in his climbing life, taking part in one of the most celebrated rescues in the history of Mt. Everest. Collaboration was absolutely essential in order to accomplish this feat, and the philosophy applies in remarkable ways in the workplace, particularly in potentially dangerous industrial settings. As the economic climate becomes more challenging, reaping the rewards of collaboration is becoming an increasing priority in the corporate world.

Testimonials

“I have twice had Andrew present to our top sales professionals and clients…his story is one of perseverance, dedication, and achievement framed by “doing the right thing”. I would highly recommend him as a speaker for those who want to set high standards and lead by example.”
Mick Kelly – CFP, PFP, CIM, FCSI – Vice President – Sales, Retail Markets Standard Life

“Andrew did a magnificent job giving this year’s graduating residents lecture. Many people complimented Andrew to me, congratulated me on finding him, and judged him to be the best of the seven speakers in the series. Andrew struck the perfect balance of an adventurous tale, humour, and inspiring human drama.”
Dr. Bill Redwood – Atlanta Medical Center

“A truly inspiring message Andrew, I wanted to send a short note to again thank you for coming to speak with our group of new financial advisors. The feedback from the group on your presentation was excellent. What you have accomplished in your climbing career and your most recent experience in climbing Mount Everest is a truly inspiring message. Your presentation really resonated with our group not only in reinforcing what it takes to succeed, but in the importance of remaining true to your principles to achieve the ultimate success. While we can’t fully appreciate what you went through, your powerful story aided by the realism of your slides and video gave us some strong insights, which will have a lasting impact. It was a privilege to have met you.”
Murray Carswell – Vice President, Resource Centres Western Region Great West Life

“Andrew Brash’s Multimedia Keynote presentation left me uplifted and inspired, but most importantly with the knowledge affirming that saving a life is the most important thing we can do for another human being. Andrew eloquently tells his story of events that took place on Mt. Everest in 2006 and 2008 – and his audience is riveted and right along on the climbs with him! The pictorial slides take your breath away as the story unfolds. The “human element” of this story can’t help but touch your heart and ground your thoughts! Andrew Brash gives an excellent presentation and is a dynamic speaker!”
Marlene Donnelly – Coordinator – Alberta Teachers’ Association Guidance Conference

“Andrew, just to let you know, when people talk to me about the CIPS (information technology conference) from last year, they refer to it as “the conference where the Everest climbing guy spoke”. One year later people were still talking about the speech that you gave to our group – it was a huge hit.”
Ross Phillips I.S.P., ITCP – CIPS Edmonton, ICE Conference Chair

“We all enjoyed Andrew’s presentation, and we were especially touched by Andrew’s reunion with Lincoln Hall in Kathmandu. That was quite an emotional moment to share with Andrew. I have listened to people like David Suzuki, Andrew Nikiforuk, Stephen Lewis, Sally Armstrong, June Callwood et. al., and I do not hesitate for a moment “nominating” Andrew to join as member of this group of extraordinary Canadians. A great evening, many thanks, and best wishes.”
Franz Dinnendahl, Calgary

Past Clients

Standard Life
Vermilion Energy
BFI Canada
RBC Dominion Securities
Atlanta Medical Center
Suncor
Birchcliff Energy
ICE Technology Conference
Canadian Avalanche Foundation Gala Fundraisers
Financial Management
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Law Libraries
Calgary Teachers’ Convention
Alberta Teachers’ Association
Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians
Hypoxia Conference
Alberta RCMP
Simply Accounting
Trimac Transportation
Canadian Club of Calgary
YMCA CFO Retreat
MENSA
The Canada Forum for Nepal, at the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa
Aga Khan Educational Fair, Calgary
Beiber Securities
Bethany Care
Great West Life

Andrew Brash

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