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  • The Audacity of Adventure

    7/13/2009 11:11:00 AM

    Jonny Copp wrote in his 2003 Hooked on the Outdoors reflection on his life, “Climbing a mountain is a bad investment, any financial consultant will tell you that.”

    In an industry that in recent years has tried to contain and trademark the concept of “adventure”, Jonathan’s words are an enduring reminder of the soul of why we do what we do.

    Adventure is neither a commodity nor a marketing scheme, and at its core, it defies containment. Nor is adventure limited to climbing big mountains or exploring uncharted geographies. Every time we leave the trail of our personal comfort zone or attempt to create something new or take on a task that makes us fearful or uncomfortable, we are adventurers. As a wise person said, “Only a fool feels no fear.” Living an adventurous life is not about being fearless, it’s about knowing, feeling and having the heart to face and contain fear, and still take the next step.

    Jonny Copp, Micah Dash and Wade Johnson fully exemplified and embodied that sentiment.

    The outdoor and climbing community came together Saturday July 12th in Boulder Colorado to honor the lives and inspiration of these beautiful young men who were lost to us this spring in a tragic climbing accident on Mt. Edgar in western China.

    Appropriately located kitty-corner to the Tibetan Buddhist Shambala center, the 103-year-old Boulder Theater was nearly filled to capacity with friends, family, climbers, writers, photographers and the greater outdoor community. As would have been Jon, Micah and Wade’s wish, the bar was open, the food plenty and the mood celebratory.

    Prayer flags hung above the stage and memorial presentations for each man greeted us in the lobby. Old friends embraced as they arrived and spoke softly, laughed and cried.

    Malcolm Daly, one of our lions of the climbing community, presided as MC with heart, humor and presence, leading the lineup of speakers that included fellow climbers, family members, girlfriends and associates.

    Eric Decaria, Mick Folari, Nick Martino, Nick Rosen, Steve Su, and Pete Takeda each told the story of their hasty trip to Sichuan and the heartbreaking recovery and cremation of their friends’ bodies.

    We were honored to be provided an intimate look into the lives of each man as their parents recounted their childhood precociousness and antics. Anita and Eric Dash, John and Phyllis Copp and Bruce Johnson spoke from their loss with stunning openness and humility. What became clear was these were normal parents with healthy families, extraordinary only in their love for their sons and support for their passions.

    “I wasn’t even a kid by the time my passport was full of stamps.” Jon wrote in his Hooked on the Outdoors piece. “I still come across that wrinkled old document sometimes – with its faded black and white baby picture and its red, blue and back hieroglyphics – and I wonder if all those symbols of borders and disputes and nations somehow took from me the burden of having to view the world as a fragmented and disbanded operation.”

    For a young Jonny Copp to develop this expansive perspective gives us a hint of how, as parents, we can raise unfettered kids. We don’t need to push them to be inquisitive or adventurous, rather just be so ourselves and let them explore.

    Sender Films colleagues Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen and Jocelyn Corkin, and Adventure Films’ Mark Reiner shared stories of late nights, editing, writing, filming and camaraderie. Others who spoke with eloquence and passion included Robb Shurr, Sara Close, Matt Segal, Nellie Milfield, Erin Addison and Lennie Zivitz.

    When it seemed grief and tears were uncontainable, Timmy O’Neill took the stage and tore the place up, with irreverence, comedy and volume. We laughed until we cried again. Timmy ended by leading the audience in a minute-long roar that threatened to peel the art deco paint from the roof of the historic theatre and surely purged our inner demons.

    Our MC, Malcolm Daly, shared this impression of the afternoon’s memorial: “My feeling is that the afterlife is really the residual sum of the effects we have on others after we pass. Wade, Micah and Jonny touched our lives and asked us to be better people.”

    We shared our loss, and in so doing we may have been healed. We left the theatre and stepped out into the bright Rocky Mountain sunshine to face our fears and new adventures. We regrouped in a nearby city park for food and friendship as the sky went from blue to black and the wind and rain tumbled down Boulder Canyon with the fury and fearlessness of an adventurous heart.

    -Geoff O’Keeffe

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  • Memorial Details - Saturday, July 11th - Boulder Theater

    6/30/2009 5:12:00 PM

    We are still in the planning stages of the Memorial but below are the details we can share at this point.  We are trying to get a sense of how many people are coming. 

    Please RSVP and ask people who you know who are planning to attend to follow the link below to RSPV as well.

    Please RSVP and ask others to as well!

    http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/PBTMPYABWLBSAWPZBJUZ/copp-dash-johnson-memorial

    1:00 PM: Doors Open - Boulder Theater - come mingle, enjoy music, socialize with the community, and grab a drink.

    2:00 PM: Program Begins – promptly.

    3:30 PM: Light Snacks - After the memorial service is over, please enjoy yourselves at the Boulder Theater until 4:30.

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  • Our Search Team has Returned

    6/18/2009 3:41:00 PM

    UPDATE: After an epic trip home from China, all the Americans that were involved in the search and recovery are safe in Boulder. A huge thanks to Eric Decaria, Mick Folari, Nick Martino, Nick Rosen, Steve Su, and Pete Takeda for dropping everything and heading to China at a moments notice.
     
    Check back soon for some images from the field

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  • 2 Fundraisers - Huge Hits

    6/18/2009 2:14:00 PM

    UPDATE: Friday night's fundraiser at The Estes Park Mountain Shop  was a huge success! A big thank you to Zach Zehr, Tommy Caldwell, and the Mt. Shop crew for making this happen!
     
    UPDATE: Tuesday night's fundraiser at The Spot climbing gym raised over $15,000! A big thanks to Andrew Clinkingbeard, Dan Howley, Ashley,  and the Spot crew for pulling this off!
     
    The money raised will be used to help defray rescue effort costs as well as go towards a memorial fund. We hope to have more details on the fund soon--currently close friends and family are being interviewed to form the vision and how the fund will operate.
     
    DJ Dirt Monkey

    Dirt Monkey played his beats all night long, later joined by a bunch of guitars and drums. Matt Segal did a slide presentation to the 350+ people who showed up.
     
    There is a long list of individuals and companies who donated product and services in the silent auction to make this fundraiser such a success. Love and thanks to everyone involved.

    Jonny Copp in Joshua Tree

    Jonny Copp in Joshua Tree.  Photo: Mark Reiner.
     

    The memorial is planned for July 11th (Saturday).  More details to follow.

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  • Memorial for 3 Climbers: Saturday, July 11th

    6/16/2009 6:00:00 PM

    We are planning for the Memorial Service for our fallen friends for Saturday, July 11th somewhere in Boulder, CO.
     

    More details (location, time, plans, etc.) to come shortly, but the date is set.  Please check back.
     
    Pass the word along and plan your travel, then check back here for details.  We look forward to seeing you all soon in Boulder!

     

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  • Celebration of Wade Johnson's Life - Friday

    6/16/2009 1:07:00 PM

    Wade Johnson
    Wade by Lake Superior. Photo: Lauren Braunohler

    A memorial celebration of Wade’s life will be held at Skinner Chapel on the campus of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.  While attending Carleton, Wade took a class that included a study of the funeral practices of cultures around the world.  His express wishes were to forego a traditional funeral service; he wanted a barbecue where his friends and loved ones would enjoy good food, community and fun.  Please join Wade’s best friend, Greg Larsen, Erin Addison, Wade’s true love and Wade’s family for a barbecue immediately after the ceremony.  The tents will be up, the grills will be hot and the Frisbees will be flying.  Memorials will be preferred in lieu of flowers.  They can be directed to Carleton College, to Saint Paul Academy or to the Jonny Copp, Micah Dash, and Wade Johnson Search Fund at http://www.adventurefilm.org/donate.aspx.  Please email wadejohnsoncelebration@gmail.com if you have any questions

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  • American Climbers Return Home

    6/14/2009 5:23:00 PM

    UPDATE: The American search teams are making arrangements to return to the US beginning Monday. The search area continues to see active avalanche activity making search conditions on the mountain life threatening. Future search efforts may be possible, most likely after monsoon season.

    A memorial service celebrating the three climbers is being planned for, most likely, a weekend date in July in Boulder. Specifics regarding the memorial fund are being finalized next week.

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  • Note from the Field

    6/14/2009 11:36:00 AM

     

    Dearest friends and loved ones, we 6 are back in Chengdu dirty and exhausted and almost ready to come home.

     

    On Sunday, we created a reverent and beautiful, heartfelt loving ceremony in the crematorium up in Qongding for the boys. After preparing the bodies with traditional Tibetan funeral silks, we also wrapped up some of Micah's things along with written prayers and wishes and placed him on Jonny's chest. We all spoke to them individually, and to all three, sharing impromptu thoughts as well as written words. Nick Martino shared a biblical verse chosen for Micah by his mother, Anita, and I shared a memorized passage from Whitman's Song of Myself as well as The Journey, by Mary Oliver for all of them. I also read the last entry in Jonny's journal, a song he was writing called Border Country, and several letters from his family, all of which we included with them as they were cremated.

     

    Your loving thoughts from home have been a source of strength for us here, and have imbued us with the courage to carry out this mission. Looking forward to coming home...

    lots of love,

    Mick Follari

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  • Search Has Ended for Missing American Climber

    6/12/2009 6:54:00 PM

    June 12, 2009, Boulder, CO— It is with deep regret that the American team and Chinese authorities have ended the search for Micah Dash, the third missing climber, on June 12, 2009.
     
    Though future efforts to locate the third climber might be possible, the uniquely hazardous location, continual avalanches, and deteriorating weather guaranteed by the approaching monsoon season have for now, eliminated any safe, successful search for Dash.

    The search began for three Boulder, Colorado climbers on June 3 after they missed their flight from Chengdu, China. The three had not been heard from since they left base camp on May 20, 2009. They were attempting a new route on Mount Edgar (6,618 meters/21,712 feet) in the Minya Konka area of China's Sichuan province.
     
    On June 11, 2009, the bodies of climber Jonathan Copp (35) and videographer Wade Johnson (24) were removed from a broad gulley among avalanche debris on the southeast face of Mount Edgar. The body of the third missing climber, Micah Dash (32) was not located during the week-long search. Some of his equipment however, was located at the scene and he is believed to be dead according to the search team in China.
     
    The bodies of Copp and Johnson were discovered after partial emergence from fresh avalanche debris. After days of effort, the searchers agreed that frequent rock fall and near-daily avalanches made further efforts extremely dangerous. The vast search area and deposition of new avalanche debris further diminished the probability of locating Dash's body.
     
    On June 5 two Sichuan Mountaineering Association (SMA) climbers, Li Zong Li and Guo Jie, discovered Copp’s body at 4,000 meters between base camp and advanced base camp. On June 7, Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) climbers Ci Luo and Li Fu Qing located Johnson's body in the same vicinity. The Chinese searchers were soon joined by the teams of Americans who helped with the recovery of the bodies and their belongings.
     
    Searchers included Sichuan Mountaineering Association (SMA) climbers, Li Zong Li and Guo Jie; Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) mountaineers, Ci Luo, Yan Ding Ding, Li Fu Qing, and Zhou Peng; and professional American climbers Eric DeCaria, Nick Martino, Steve Su, and Pete Takeda. The American and Chinese climbers combined experience includes dozens of Himalayan expeditions, multiple Everest summits, plus major Patagonian and Alaskan climbs.
     
    Americans Nick Rosen and Mick Follari traveled to China to help coordinate search efforts along with U.S. Consulate Section Chief Tina Onufer from Moxi, the nearest town to base camp. A team of friends coordinated logistical rescue operations from Boulder, Colorado throughout the week. All American’s involved were close friends of the three climbers.
     
    A memorial service for the climbers is being planned in Boulder, Colorado though a date has yet to be set. A fund is being established in memory of the three climbers. Stay tuned to http://adventurefilm.org/ for details, up-to-date information, and to contribute to the search and recovery efforts and memorial fund.
     
    We ask that you are respectful of friends and family at this time due to the sensitive nature of the situation. No other information is currently available. As soon as more information becomes available it will be shared.

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  • A Video Tribute to Our Friends - Jonny, Micah and Wade (Updated)

    6/12/2009 6:42:00 PM

    We have updated this video and added some new images.

    This movie was put together with the help of friends and family of Jonny, Micah and Wade. Just a two minute introduction into the lives of these three amazing humans. There is audio narration, so make sure your volume is up. Music is by Tres Altman with some sounds in the beginning that was recorded by Jonny and Mark.

    .

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  • Benefits for Our 3 Friends

    6/12/2009 12:19:00 PM

    Estes Park Mt. Shop Friday, the Spot Gym on Tuesday, check back for more... Click here to read more... 

    We have had so many offers of support from individuals and organizations.  Below are some links to some of the events.  Check back for more information.

    The Spot Gym Search Fund Benefit

    Tuesday, June 16th at The Spot Bouldering Gym
    Spot climbing access with your donation to from 5:00pm-8:00pm

    This event will include a silent auction, free beer from Avery, a slideshow by Matt Segal and free climbing

    The Spot Bouldering Gym
    3240 Prairie Ave.
    Boulder, CO 80301
    303.379.8806

     

    Estes Park Mt. Shop Memorial with Tommy Caldwell

    Where: Estes Park Mt. Shop
    When: Fri. 12th 8pm
    What: Tommy Caldwell (For the love of climbing) slide show, fund raiser

    Slide show and beer all donations go to the Adventure Films search efforts!

    Click for more info: http://www.estesparkmountainshop.com/

    EPMS
    2050 Big Thompson Ave.
    Estes Park, CO 80517
    contact zach 970 586 6548
    cell 970 214 2474

     

     A small tribute in our lobby

    The Amante Office
    The Amante "Office." 

     


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  • Update from China - June 11th

    6/11/2009 11:20:00 AM

    Update: Bad weather has moved into the search area and has forced the search and recovery party down to Moxi (closest town to base camp, 4-6 hours away). Wade and Jonny's bodies have been transported to Moxi. The search team is resting and will resume searching for Micah when the weather clears.

     

    Map as of June 10th 

    The outpouring of support continues to be overwhelming.  As of June 10th we've received 54,000 visits to our website from 111 countries around the globe.  We've received well over 500 donations and so many offers of support and caring.  People have been coming by the Adventure Film headquarters to help out, bringing food, photos, candles, flowers, and their special skills, such massage, movie making, organizing, cleaning, etc. 

    Thank you one and all.  We love you and your support means so much!

     - Ben

     

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  • American Alpine Club's Tribute Slideshow

    6/11/2009 11:01:00 AM

    Below is a tribute put together by the AAC

     

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  • A Video Tribute to Our Friends - Jonny, Micah and Wade

    6/10/2009 7:00:00 PM

    We have moved this video here in an updated form

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  • Copp & Dash Sender Film Video - Associate Produced by Johnson

    6/9/2009 11:11:00 PM

    Below is a clip from the Sharp End which is a beautiful movie associate produced by Wade Johnson. 

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  • Latest Update from China

    6/9/2009 11:05:00 PM

    Below are our Chinese climbers and below are the American climbers we have sent.

     

    Chinese Climbers with Mr. Liu
    Chinese climbers with Mr. Liu.  Photo: Unknown

     

    Our American Climbers in China
    Our American climbers.  Photo: Various Sources

     

    Update: American climbers Steve Su, Pete Takeda, Eric Decaria, and Nick Martino arrived at base camp and are currently at the site of the tragedy. Neccesary procautions have been taken with Wade Johnson and Jonny Copps previously discovered bodies and gear belonging to Micah Dash has been identified though no body has yet been found. The search will continue for Micah's body.
     
    No other information is available due to spotty satelite phone reception. As soon as more information is available, we'll update.

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  • Beautiful Images of Our Friend Micah Dash

    6/9/2009 11:01:00 PM

    The search continues for our beloved friend and companion, Micah Dash.
    3 Images of Micah Dash
    Photo: Dean Fidelman

    I began the series, "The Valley Sessions," in 2001 as an ongoing project to document the climbers of Yosemite Valley National Park. These images were made in the notorious hangout locations of these climbers such as the "Caf," the Camp 4 parking lot and the Search and Rescue site.

    Micah Dash was an important part of this group, "The Stone Monkeys," these photographs were made in 2003. The climbers featured in this work include, Micah Dash, Cedar Wright, Nick Martino, Chongo, Jason Singer Smith, Jason Pickels, John Dickey, Heidi Wirtz and many others.

     

     - Dean Fidelman

     

    Jonny Copp and Micah Dash in Kashmir
    Jonny and Micah in Kashmir.  Photo: Jonny Copp

    Micah on summit in Kashmir
    Micah on Shafat summit.  Photo: Jonny Copp

    Micah Dash reflecting in Kashmir
    Micah Dash reflecting in Kashmir.  Photo: Jonny Copp

     

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  • Some Press Coverage of Our Missing Friends

    6/9/2009 10:01:00 PM

    The Copp Family (Phyllis, John and Amy) were gracious enough to open their home to the press.

    Daily Camera Article from June 8th

    Daily Camera Article from June 7th

    CBS Denver Coverage from June 6th

    Other Links

    Fan Page for Our 3 Friends

    Jonny Copp's Website

    The Cleanest Line Blog with Images

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  • Update from China

    6/9/2009 11:25:00 AM

    Update: Steve Su, Pete Takeda, Nick Martino, and Eric Decaria are currently en route to base camp together where they will meet up with the Chinese team. Weather permitting, the will begin search at first light (14 hours ahead of MST).


    Nick Rosen and Mick Follari will arrive in Chengdu at 8:40 PM MST, head straight to Moxi to establish an ad hoc headquarters, and will join the American and Chinese teams as needed at base camp.

     

    Read a personal note from Pete Takeda on the ground in China.

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  • A Letter from Susan

    6/8/2009 7:46:00 PM

    Nick Rosen, Pete Mortimer and Wade Johnson Skiing
    Sender Film team (Nick Rosen, Pete Mortimer and Wade Johnson) on the approach to ice climbing in the Black Canyon National Park in 2008.  Photo: Jonny Copp

    To Our Sender Family:

     

    When you have children, your role as a mother and father is to nurture them, love them, and push them out of the nest.  With Wade we never had to push - he took off all on his own - running full speed ahead.  After he finished applying for graduate schools, he was in a quandary as to what to do with his life until school started.  I told him that he should do something with film making - just for the fun of it since he loved it in school.  He, of course, knew about Sender.  I think it only took a day or two from the time he contacted you until he was off to Boulder.  It was destiny.  There is no place in the world I would have rather seen Wade spend the last months of his life.  He had the greatest time and was so incredibly happy.  The only thing that could have been better for him is if he had Erin with him every day and if his best friend, Greg,  had lived next door!  Wade was my treasure, and I must have trained him pretty darn well that he leaped into your front door.

    Thank you is not just an immediate, polite response.  It is heartfelt.

     

    Love,

    Susan Johnson

     

    Wade Johnson in Albert, Canada for Sender Films
    Wade Johnson in Albert, Canada for Sender Films.  Photo: Jonny Copp

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Please donate to the Memorial fund now!

For media-related questions, please contact Robb Shurr @ 303-304-9580. For larger donations or pledges, or if you have fund-related questions, please contact Ben Alexandra @ 303-818-8002 or email ben at adventurefilm dot org

Click here to donate, or you can also send checks, payable to "Adventure Film" to:

Adventure Film
1911 11th St., Ste 103A
Boulder, CO 80302

We've created an open venue on Facebook where people can share their thoughts, photos, quotes, memories, anecdotes and more.

Visit our Facebook Memorial Page.

We have setup a service that will allow you to leave a voicemail message for the friends and families of the climbers. Just call in to the number below and you can leave a personal voice message.  You will have a choice of leaving the message to be heard by everyone, or just to be heard by the friends and families. We will review and compile the messages and forward them on to the appropriate families.

Call 303-209-7812 to leave a personal message to the friends and families