Friends rally to find missing climbers in China
By Marit Fischer on June 7th, 2009
Jonny Copp
When Jonny Copp, Micah Dash and Wade Johnson missed their flight home from Chengdu, China, their friends knew that something was wrong. The team of climbers was there climbing rugged 22,368-foot Mt. Edgar and hadn’t been heard from since May 20. That would have been fine, if they’d come home.
Sadly, this morning, Chinese authorities reported that the body of a man found in avalanche debris on Mt. Edgar yesterday has been identified as Jonny Copp. Their friends and families, and all of us out here, are still holding out hope that Micah and Wade are still alive.
The first search team of American climbers has landed and others on their way now. They will join up with a team of Chinese climbers who have rallied there to help.
For more information on the climbers and the efforts of their friends around the world who are working to find them and bring them home, visit the blog at AdventureFilm.org (Jonny Copp founded the Adventure Film Festival in Boulder).
You can make donations to the search here. For larger donations or pledges, or if you have fund-related questions, please contact Ben Alexandra at 303-818-8002.
Photo: AdventureFilm.org
Update: The body of 24-year-old Minnesota climber Wade Johnson has been recovered by Chinese rescuers.
In a statement, Johnson’s mother, Susan, said this morning, “Wade is someone to truly celebrate — and I continue to be amazed as to how vast the network is of the many people who knew and loved him.”
Hi, I’m a neighbor of Jonny’s parents. I ran into them tonite while walking my dog. They appreciate all the love being sent to them. My children set something up in our yard to remember Jonny. Tibetan prayer flags strung across the back yard. I’ve posted the photos on my blog.