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Sender Filmers overdue/missing in China

Original Post
Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
"Two Boulder climbers missing in China" (Daily Camera article)

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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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The title of the article says "missing" but it appears that "overdue" is more accurate.

I hope they return safely.

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Edit: (added 6.6.09 11:40 MDT)

Clicky to donate money for rescue effort

Clicky for blog with "up-to-date" info

--Marc
YDPL8S · · Santa Monica, Ca. · Joined Aug 2003 · Points: 540

Only thinking positive thoughts at this time.......those guys hang out in places that would make "overdue" a pretty believable scenario.

Shane Neal · · Colorado Springs, CO. · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 265

Indeed. I truly hope overdue is the right verbage here...

Sending good positive vibes, luck and well wishes. I cant wait to hear the story that accompanies this one upon their return..... :)

Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

Shades of Chris and Charlie. Hope these guys are ok.

Robert 560 · · The Land of the Lost · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 570

Sending good energy.....Get home safe. Micah is registered on Mountain Project.

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485

Hope they're only overdue. Good vibes coming their way.

Dan Dalton · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 1,465

Staying positive! Cannot wait til they get back.

climber73 · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 185

Micah and Jonny are superheros man... and if Wade is hanging with these guys, he's gotta be strong too. They'll pull through. Sending all of my positive energy your way guys.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Hope all is well...Jonny is the only guy I've had the "opportunity" to do a tequila shot with....while he was wearing a dress.

Gotta love a guy that can pull that off...Bold in climbing and apparel.

Avery N · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 650

Looks like the Daily Camera added a little more to the article linked above, including their objective for the trip.

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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.

Wade Johnson, 24, 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 help 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 their situation would be “late.”

Copp has been in a similar situation before, according to the Web site for the Adventure Film Festival, which he started in Boulder and runs. Copp’s bio says he once spent four days in a Himalayan crevasse before returning home safely.

According to the American Alpine Club, which also awarded a grant to Copp and Dash, the pair is attempting a first ascent of Dojitsenga, a 5,700-meter triangular peak in the Kangri Garpo range.

“The peak has never been attempted, let alone reached, by climbers. The region is one of the most remote and least explored of the world,” the club said in a statement on its Web site.

The club said the trip was scheduled for last year but was postponed because of political unrest in the region.

A longtime friend of Dash said the combination of being out of touch for more than two weeks and missing his 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 said 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,” Bruce Johnson said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon.

The Associated Press and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune contributed to this report.

Chris Klinga · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 5

If anyone can get out of a hairy situation its these guys. I have seen it first hand. Get home safe guys we are all sending the good vibes your way!

AJS · · Boulder, CO · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 25

Good vibes to them for sure!

I've met Jonny a few times - probably one of the nicest, generous, genuine people I can think of. He has lots of good karma he can cash in on!

Chris Sheridan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 1,698
Here is a link to the line they planned on attempting.

Can't say enough good things about these guys. I sure hope they make it back.
Wayne Crill · · an Altered State · Joined Jan 2003 · Points: 375

keeping my fingers crossed for y'all - positive vibrations!!

Mike Dudley · · Vegas · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 155

Good luck guys get home safe! Good vibs commin your way.

Jeff Bevan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2000 · Points: 10

First time I met Jonny he was hanging upside down from the railing at the North rim of the Black. I hope that charisma carries him home safely.

Travis Madsen · · Denver, CO · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 10

You can donate to the search effort at the Sender Films website -- senderfilms.com/.

I'm pulling for these guys.

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265

Word at the crag is that two very strong climbers secured visas just today to go and help search for them. It's also my understanding that it's very difficult/impossible to email to and from China right now because the Communist state has put strict regulations on internet usage due to the Tiananmen Square anniversary.

--Marc

Michael Schneiter · · Glenwood Springs, CO · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 10,406

Nick Martino and Eric Decaria are the climbers who obtained visas to help out with the search and Pete Takeda and Steve Su will also be joining them. From: Adventure Film

Mike Thompson · · Manchester NH · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 460

prayin for em... hope they make it home safe... never met either but they seem like great guys :)

George Marsden · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 0

AP is reporting that 1 body has been found but not identified.

google.com/hostednews/ap/ar…

My thoughts and prayers go out to all their friends and family.

George

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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