Sender Filmers overdue/missing in China

first off,godspeed to all involved..
second- its not a tragedy, its a calculated risk and we should all raise our glasses tonight and celebrate the life that they had, and know they are most likely now in their happy place...

Ugh! I was introduced to Jonny by a friend last year during his slideshow at Neptunes, what a humble engaging person. Those guys were the archetype of the new strong, fast talented climbers that took speed and ability to a level that I couldn't even quite understand.

Many years ago I lost a close friend that was a world class climber to an avalanche in Alberta. Those things play no favorites, even the best can be taken when it seems that they are taking all the best precautions. My heart and soul go out to the grieving families.

The first time I met Jonny he was in the middle of a rather large group of people dancing to a Salsa band at an Earth Day event he helped organize. It was hard to miss him - he was the one with the GIANT sombrero and the maracas who looked like he was having a hundred times more fun than anyone else around!

I had only been climbing a few months at that point, but he was friends with one of the people I knew at the event. He eventually introduced himself and he asked if I climbed. I answered something like, "yeah, I just started." He offered some kind words of encouragement and was off back into the crowd. I think I was a little star struck...

A few months later I met him again and he remembered talking to me and asked again how the climbing was going. It blew my mind that he remembered me...

Full of positive energy...generous...genuine...certainly a hero of mine. I'm sure he had a similar effect on many.

-Adam

I ran into Johnny a handfull of times over the years mainly while out climbing. Through my few interactions with Johnny, the stories of his climbing partners, and his accomplishments alone he seemed like a person who didn't waste time. He got out and truly lived life the way he wanted to live it, with very little fear, a lot of heart, and a certain amount of humility. I found him an inspiring person because those are qualities that I wish to pursue in my life. He was one of those rare people you meet who truly do seem larger than life. Thanks for the inspiration Johnny!

-Patrick

I also only met him a couple of times but won't ever forget his energy, an inspiration indeed. My condolences to family and friends.

chrix wrote:first off,godspeed to all involved.. second- its not a tragedy, its a calculated risk and we should all raise our glasses tonight and celebrate the life that they had, and know they are most likely now in their happy place...

My condolences to all family and friends. I will be raising my glass tonight in their honor. We all have a limited amount of time in this world, may we live life as well as they did.

I'm attempting Torrey's via the Dead Dog Couloir tomorrow. It would be a walk in the park for you three. For me, its a memorial climb. You will be in my thoughts as I "look around the next corner". RIP

I intentionally didn't put this thread in Injuries/Accidents. It's terribly saddening that that is where it needed to end up. I never knew these men, but have been very touched by their story. My heart goes out to everyone who knew them.

There are some comments in this thread that shouldn't be lost. Unfortunately, someone needs to start a couple memorial threads for them (and maybe move some of the comments regarding the climbers themselves and their legacies).

I will forever be inspired by these men and the way in which they touched the lives of those around them--and those not-so-close to them. Their spirits will climb on forever.

--Marc

Latest update: weather is hampering the ongoing search effort...

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China: Search called off for missing Boulder climber
Bad weather thwarts attempt to find Micah Dash
By Laura Snider (Contact)

dailycamera.com/news/2009/j…

BOULDER, Colo. — Bad weather and mounting avalanche danger has ended the search for for Boulder's Micah Dash, the last missing American climber on Mount Edgar, according to Xinhua News, China's government-run press agency.

"Weather condition is quite bad, with fog, rain, snow hampering the work," said Lin Li, general secretary of the Sichuan Mountaineering Association, according to Xinhua News. "Sometimes stones fell off the peak -- another avalanche is quite possible according to our experience."

Boulder-based climbers Jonathan Copp, 35, Dash, 32, and Wade Johnson, 24, were reported missing when they did not make their flight out of Chengdu on June 3. The climbers were in southwest China to attempt a new route on the Mount Edgar, one of the lesser peaks on the Gongga Shan massif at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.

The bodies of Copp and Johnson have been recovered above the team's basecamp in avalanche debris, but a rescue team made up of four Boulder climbers -- Eric DeCaria, Nick Martino, Pete Takeda and Steve Su -- and four Chinese climbers were still searching for Dash.

According to Xinhua News, the rescuers began to descend from the mountain Thursday at noon -- or about 10 p.m. Wednesday Colorado time.

Boulder-based spokesman for the search efforts, Robb Shurr, confirmed that the searchers were headed off the mountain, but he said that the search is not necessarily over.

"They are waiting for the weather and deciding next steps," he said.
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I was at red rock rendesvous this year and took a little class from micah, he was a real positive guy. He told me that he wanted to climb wind, sand, and stars in Kolob canyon that week, which is close to where i am staying, does anybody know if he was able to make it onto wind sand and stars?
- Hard to believe how fragile life is after all. I suppose he lived a full life, and we will all be in that same place someday. my condolences.