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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 4, 2009 - 07:37pm PT
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Two Boulder climbers missing in China
BOULDER, Colo. — Two Boulder filmmakers and a third person joining them on an expedition to China's rugged interior are three days past their scheduled return, and the parents of one are trying to organize a search.
Twenty-four-year-old Wade Johnson, of Minnesota, went to Mount Edgar in China's Sichuan Province. Johnson's parents said in an e-mail to friends that their son was accompanied by Boulder residents Micah Dash and Jonny Copp.
The three are working for Boulder-based Sender Films, which makes climbing and outdoor adventure films. A phone message left with Sender Films was not immediately returned Thursday.
Bruce and Susan Johnson say in an e-mail reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that they are trying to arrange a helicopter search should a ground rescue fail.
"Our son and the two climbers are three days overdue, and there is no information about their whereabouts," father Bruce Johnson said in a telephone interview this afternoon. The couple have since declined to answer further questions.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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+ 1 positive thoughts that all is well, just a little delayed on getting out and making communication.
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hooblie
climber
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ya, let's call em back to the fold
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Evel
Trad climber
the cliffs of insanity
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Jonny can hold his own.........Come on home, boys!
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graham
Social climber
Ventura, California
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Positive thoughts out to them >>>>
Keeping a strict schedule in the mountaineering world maybe desirable but maybe not obtainable.
All the best
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TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
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Was expecting something like the ring had to be returned, or...
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Best hopes to hear news of communication very soon, and also for strength to the family and friends of these guys during this time.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Those guys are so rad, they'll pull thru.
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno
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Micah's a tough dude. I'm sure they all are. They're just runnin' a little late, that's all.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there, say... will remember to pray for them... sorry to hear all this...
thanks for the share... more folks to pray, etc...
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Damn this sucks.
Friends all.
Can't help but flashback to 12/06.
C'mon back safe and sound guys.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2009 - 10:27pm PT
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Of the three, I've only spent time with Micah. He's an awesome human being. I'm sure the other two are as well.
I'm hoping hard they are just late.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2009 - 10:29pm PT
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Not much more news, but an update:
BOULDER, Colo. — Two professional Boulder climbers and a third person joining them on an expedition to China's rugged interior are three days past their scheduled return, and the parents of one are trying to organize a search.
Twenty-four-year-old Wade Johnson, of Minnesota, went to Mount Edgar in China's Sichuan Province. Johnson's parents said in an e-mail to friends that their son was accompanied by Boulder residents Micah Dash and Jonny Copp.
Copp and Dash are climbing with funds from a Mugs Stump Award, a grant given to small climbing teams by several outdoor recreation companies. Johnson is a film editor/producer with Boulder-based Sender Films, and he was accompanying the pair, but not climbing, Sender Films' Nick Rosen said.
Rosen also said while there is concern, "missing" may be too strong of a term. He said a better term to describe the situation would be "late."
Copp has been in a similar situation before, according to the Web site of the Adventure Film Festival, which he started in Boulder and runs. Copp's bio says he spent four days in a Himalayan crevasse before returning home safely.
A longtime friend of Dash's said the combination of being out of touch for more than two weeks and missing the flight home has her worried.
"It could be a bad sign," said Amelia Patterson, who is also a climber from Boulder. "Bad weather could be keeping them from leaving, but it doesn't necessarily mean that something happened. ... I hope it ends well."
Bruce and Susan Johnson say in an e-mail reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that they are trying to arrange a helicopter search should a ground rescue fail.
"Our son and the two climbers are three days overdue, and there is no information about their whereabouts," father Bruce Johnson said in a telephone interview this afternoon. The couple have since declined to answer further questions.
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tinker b
climber
new england...okay mass
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COME HOME WE LOVE YOU!!!
sending out the love...i know the force is strong in these lads...i hope it is just anxious parents (i always give my mom a few days extra to start worrying if i tell her what i am doing at all.)
be safe be safe be safe
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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vibes their way, I can feel Charlie sending 'em from the other side...
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
a greasy pinscar near you
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Hang tough guys!!!
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Slakkey
Trad climber
From a Quiet Place by the Lake
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Crimpie, my thoughts are with you, and those who are out there. Just know they were out there doing what they loved. Positive thoughts Girl.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2009 - 11:34pm PT
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Thanks Slakkey. I'm no one special to these guys. Just someone on the sidelines to the cool stuff they do. And someone fortunate to have been able to hang out and work with Micah during a Paradox event. I am however a world class worrier about all of us. Hopefully that all it proves to be in the end.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Rustys Saloon
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hoping for the best.
I know Micah, and Jonny can handle about anything
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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It isn't that unusual to be a few days late on a trip like this in such a remote area.
These guys are very capable and have survived hard times before. If anyone can get out they can............all fingers and toes are crossed, however.
JACK
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Sending out the love and good vibes. Given the remoteness of where they went, this is not unexpected as others as mentioned. "Late", rather than "missing" is the operative word.
Tough, resourceful guys indeed.
Eric
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Norwegian
Trad climber
Placerville, California
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I hope that all is with these folks.
That cheer decorates their space.
Actuallity has no identity issues. Though she does not disgrace my projected input, she authors her own steps independently, and splendidly.
Her walk is sometimes slandered as tragedy, and othertimes praised as water-treading.
we herald risk in our pursuit of enlightenment.
Without the risk, the learning curve changes from peak-like-architecture to rolling hills.
when these guys come back, i have a feeling that they will eventually tire of the rolling hills topography, and once again waltz with danger in search of the transient wisdoms.
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Crag Q
Trad climber
Louisville, Colorado
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Fingers crossed and hoping they're just getting in a few more pitches.
-Craig
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Pewf
climber
nederland
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Truly hoping for good news soon. Come home safe, you guys. You're in my thoughts.
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GhoulweJ
Trad climber
Sacramento, CA
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Sending good energy..... lots of it.
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horst
climber
Lancaster, PA
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Micah's a great guy. I climbed with him this Spring and he was telling me of his plans for an unclimbed peak in the Sichuan Highlands in China. Here's a link to learn more about the area they were climbing in: Sichuan Highlands - China
Here's a link to a Climbing article with some info (and photo) of their climbing goal. Such a beautiful mountain! http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/aac_gives_nearly_20k_in_climbing_grants
I'm praying for these guys...hopefully they just got a weather window that was too good to pass up.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Tough guys, I'm hoping they're just overdue a bit, gettin' 'er done.
Good thoughts their way for a safe return!
-Brian in SLC
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Oh man... I've know Micah for many years. Uhg.... sending positive vibes....
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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I've only met Micah a few times but his resume speaks for it's self. I have known Jonny for many years and he is a world class hardman and a savvy alpinist. If anyone can handle a little mountain delay Jonny and Micah can. Keep the faith!
What's that old adage? No news is good news!
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Chris2
Trad climber
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How long have they been gone?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 5, 2009 - 11:18am PT
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Four days overdue.
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Chris2
Trad climber
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But how long was the trip?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 5, 2009 - 11:29am PT
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Not sure Chris2. I've not seen that info in any postings. Anyone know?
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Chris McNamara
SuperTopo staff member
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here is a press release i just got emailed, not sure how much new info it has but does mention a fund to help in the rescue effore. come back safe guys!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Robb Shurr, Kickstand Communications
303-304-9580
robb@wearekickstand.com
Colorado Climbers Late Home from China
June 5, 2009, Boulder, CO—Three Boulder, Colorado climbers—Jonathan Copp (age 35), Micah Dash (age 30), and Wade Johnson (age 24)—are overdue, having missed their flight on June 3 from Chengdu, China.
The three traveled to Mount Edgar (6818 meters/22,368 feet) on the Minya Konka massif, Western Sichuan Province, China. They embarked from base camp on May 20, 2009. There hasn’t been any contact with the climbers since.
Copp and Dash are highly experienced alpinists and professional climbers who have many years experience tackling big unclimbed mountains around the world. They received the Mugs Stump Award grant for this expedition from the American Alpine Club in 2008 but had to delay the climb until now, due to political unrest in the region. Johnson (a photographer with Sender Films) was accompanying Dash and Copp to base camp and did not intend to attempt the climb to the summit.
On June 4, 2009, a small party of experienced climbers, organized through the Sichuan Mountaineering Association, arrived in “base camp” and are preparing to continue up to the “advanced base camp” to gather information. Search efforts are being professionally coordinated by friends and colleagues in Boulder and more climbers from China and the US are being deployed to the area. Developing information will be shared as soon as it is available.
“We’re taking all the necessary steps to gather information about the climbers’ whereabouts and haven’t identified any complications beyond their lateness. Although we’re concerned, in alpine climbing it’s not unusual to for climbers to be delayed or out of contact for this long. We are still hopeful,” says Robb Shurr, spokesperson for the search effort.
A fund to help assist in rescue efforts has been set up at http://adventurefilm.org/.
No other information is currently available. As soon as more information becomes available it will be shared. Please do not contact friends and family due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
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Gagner
climber
Boulder
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These guys are tough, but we'll be praying for their safe return.
In 1995 Rick Lovelace and I had a little incident with some melted ice in Baffin Island and missed our flights by two weeks!!
Paul
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Chris2
Trad climber
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Thanks Chris, Micah is a good person.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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I went through something similar regarding an overdue friend last year, and eventually they turned up fine. I hope the same happens here; best wishes to the three climbers and their families.
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horst
climber
Lancaster, PA
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This was just posted on the Minneapolis (Wade Johnson's home town) Star Tribune page...
U.S. diplomats and the office of Minnesota's lone senator say they are working with Chinese officials in a multi-pronged effort to find three American mountain climbers in rugged central China -- one of them a Carleton College graduate -- who have not been heard from for more than two weeks.
Full article
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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KNOTT to belittle anything going on here but the media can be so overblown and dramatic. As we (climbers) all know sh#t happens that can easily delay you. "Not being heard from for three weeks". well no sh#t, shirlock's - they are on a big mountain w/o flipping phonebooths! Though I don't feel that a search effort is over reacting, we can expect that if/as time goes on w/o word the media will over react.
Paul: excellent perspective.
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Katie_I
Mountain climber
Wyoming
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Hoping for the best.
Katie
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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"We are still hopeful,” says Robb Shurr, spokesperson for the search effort".
Joining in.. with thoughts of *Hope and good news...
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Chris2
Trad climber
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Good point nature.
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James
climber
My twin brother's laundry room
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I hope they come out soon.
James
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Queener
Mountain climber
Fresno / Monterey, CA
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Crimpergirl
What Paradox event are you talking about? I'm very good friends with DJ Skelton and road tripped out to Ouray in March with him for the ice climbing event. DJ was talking about going on this expedition but could not make it.
And to everyone, donate what you can to help with the search teams. Whether you know these guys or not, they are important to the climbing community and some of the best guys I've ever met in my life.
-Kyle
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Chris McNamara
SuperTopo staff member
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here is an announcment on the sender films site
June 5, 2009: Three Boulder climbers
— Jonathan Copp, Micah Dash, and Wade Johnson —
are overdue, having missed their flight on June 3 from Chengdu, China.
The three traveled to Mount Edgar (6818 meters/22,368 feet) on the Minya Konka massif, Western Sichuan Province, China. They embarked from base camp on May 20, 2009. There hasn’t been any contact with the climbers since.
Please donate to the search fund now!
Visit this blog for up-to-date information on the search
Copp and Dash are highly experienced alpinists and professional climbers who have many years experience tackling big unclimbed mountains around the world. They received the Mugs Stump Award grant for this expedition from the American Alpine Club in 2008 but had to delay the climb until now, due to political unrest in the region. Johnson (a photographer with Sender Films) was accompanying Dash and Copp to base camp and did not intend to attempt the climb to the summit.
On June 4, 2009, a small party of experienced climbers, organized through the Sichuan Mountaineering Association, arrived in “base camp” and are preparing to continue up to the “advanced base camp” to gather information. Search efforts are being professionally coordinated by friends and colleagues in Boulder and more climbers from China and the US are being deployed to the area. Developing information will be shared as soon as it is available.
“We’re taking all the necessary steps to gather information about the climbers’ whereabouts and haven’t identified any complications beyond their lateness. Although we’re concerned, in alpine climbing it’s not unusual to for climbers to be delayed or out of contact for this long. We are still hopeful,” says Robb Shurr, spokesperson for the search effort.
This search operation will be costly and any financial assistance that can be made will be incredibly helpful in terms of mounting the best search and rescue operation possible. Please donate to the search fund now.
continue to Sender Films home page http://senderfilms.com/
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GDavis
Trad climber
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Nature
Thanks for the insight... really good to read that right now. I really like these kids, look up to 'em... hope to see them soon.
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Just tuned in, man this is kinda scary. I hope they return soon with a wild tale to tell and nothing more. Wishing strength and courage to all involved.
-Scott
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altieboo
Boulder climber
Livermore, Ca
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I hope that we hear from these guys soon. They are probably fine and bivyed up in a small cave or something. Time for them to snap into a slim jim and get the hell down!
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