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Chris McNamara
SuperTopo staff member
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 5, 2009 - 09:00pm PT
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THE SEARCH NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. GO HERE
There is an original thread here But i wanted to start a new thread that had a more recognizable title
There is also a Jonny Copp Appreciation thread here
For an ongoing update on the search and info on how you can help, go here
Below is a letter from Peter Mortimer and Sender Films
Dear friends,
As you all know by now, Jonny Copp, Micah Dash and Wade Johnson are missing on Mt Edgar in China and we are working on a multi-pronged search and rescue operation. The support for this operation has been unbelievable, and I can’t thank those of you enough who have contributed by offering connections, resources, emotional support and, most importantly, financial support.
These three guys have given so much to the climbing community in so many ways: their dedication to pushing the barriers of the sport on rock and in alpine terrain; their extensive community outreach through slide presentations and film festivals; their work with clothing and gear companies in designing and promoting cutting-edge equipment; and their dedication to capturing the most inspiring photos and footage from the most extreme places on earth.
Their lives have been dedicated to one thing: a celebration of climbing. And when you give as much to the climbing community as they have, I now see that the community gives back. In spades.
I wanted to share with you a few small examples of gestures performed in the last day alone:
• At midnight last night, a notoriously impoverished local climber – and good friend of the team – showed up at search headquarters, threw his passport on the table and said that for the first time in his life he has two thousand dollars to his name, and he wants to spend it on a flight to Chengdu to be one of the first Americans on the ground to help out with the search.
• This morning at 9 AM, a guiding client of Micah’s wired $25,000 to search headquarters to make sure the search did not slow down due to a financial bog-down.
• Companies who compete with the sponsors of these athletes are paying for their own athletes with Chinese visas to get to get to China as quickly as possible.
• People have offered up the 65,000 frequent flyer miles needed on United to get to China.
• Senators have pressured the Chinese embassy to expedite visas for American search volunteers.
The list goes on.
This is an expensive operation that will cost well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. But there is every reason to believe that these guys are alive and trapped only a few hours from base camp. While there is hope, there is life. We need to do all we can to get people on the ground quickly, to get a helicopter in the air, and to keep communication flowing.
If these guys ever gave anything to your life, or ever inspired you in any way, now would be the time to give them something back.
As climbers, we are one big family and it is amazing to see how we look out for each other.
TO DONATE PLEASE GO TO: http://www.adventurefilm.org/blogs/adventure_blog.aspx
Kindest regards,
Pete Mortimer
Boulder, CO
June 5, 2009
Mt. Edgar photo from http://www.adventurefilm.org/blogs/adventure_blog.aspx
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Mimi
climber
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Met Jonny at Crusher's in Boulder during the Kor show. Super guy and totally solid.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his pals. Hope for the best everyone.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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God, Chris, for the first time in many years I have no $$$$. I will pray....and I will keep positive thoughts and If there is anything I can do on the ground here with my computer or pharmacy business, or anything you might think I can do Please let me know. God help them, lynne
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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C'mon; somebody give me some good news for a change!
(but thanks for the re-package, Chris. Smart move.)
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, chris, thanks for always being there for folks, when they supertopo help... and special attention...
you're a good guy, once again!
i have no way to help, but i am a determined prayer, to hang on and pray for as long as needed... and i will do so...
thanks for being there for folks in need...
god bless...
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nutjob
climber
Berkeley, CA
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I laughed my arse off at a free slideshow from Micah.
The website link makes it easy to donate by credit card or paypal; I'm not swimming in cash, but I gave a little chunk. A lot of little contributions can add up.
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horst
climber
Lancaster, PA
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These are great guys, and I pray for their safe return. Keeping their families and the searchers in my prayers, too.
Kudos to all those involved or supporting the search in some way.
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altieboo
Boulder climber
Livermore, Ca
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Already posted on the other thread but I want to post up again. I wish only the best for these guys and wish the rescuers the best of luck in getting to China and in the search. My heart goes out to their families.
Come home guys! Your contributions to this world are not over!
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Brian
climber
Cali
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I've been anxious about this since the news got out. I've met both Jonny and Micah a few times, and they seemed like good guys. Just contributed to the rescue fund, and I'm crossing my fingers.
Three days overdue for their flight... anyone know how long since last contact with them at Basecamp or ABC?
Brian
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couchmaster
climber
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Ditto on wishing good thoughts for all concerned. Last time we heard climbers missing in China it was Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff. Hope this one is just a climber stuck at a high camp for a few days story.
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Those guys have inspired me over the years through those films. Wade must be cut of the same tough and funny stuff. Wishing them a safe return. Hope this epic turns out to be a legendary campfire tale and that they get home soon to share it. Strength and endurance to all involved.
Scott
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paganmonkeyboy
climber
mars...it's near nevada...
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bump...keep this one on the top of the front please.
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Queener
Mountain climber
Fresno / Monterey, CA
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Please donate to the search! These guys are great people and awesome friends. We would all like to see these guys back in Boulder, CO.
Donate what you can!
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Shauna P
Trad climber
Yosemite
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Really, donate to the search if you can. The logistics are going to be a challenge and we can all help make it more feasible. These people have done a lot- as mentors, climbers and more. Whatever we can do, we really need to do- and keep good thoughts.
This may be my one and only post, as this is the only thing I have ever felt compelled to say.
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adnix
Big Wall climber
Finland
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I really hope they are ok!
There is the possibility that they have made the decision of pushing on although there was a chance of missing the fligths. Does anyone know what kind of communication equipment they have? Do they have a sat phone? Is there GSM coverage on that region?
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deeski
Trad climber
North Carolina
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Sending out concern and positive vibes for the climbers, their families, the Sender Staff, and all the people in Boulder and beyond who are helping with the search in any way thay can!!
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The Alpine
Big Wall climber
Tampa, FL
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F*#k. C'mon boys!
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Not the news I wanted to hear. Still hoping for the other two to pull thru.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Aw. Man. Really awful. My condolences. And hoping with all I am that the other two are found alive.
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