Jonny Copp Found Dead on Mount Edgar

The body of Jonny Copp, a 35-year-old climber from Boulder, Colorado, was positively identified by photographs early this morning. Copp was found yesterday in avalanche debris at 13,100 feet on the side of 22,368-foot Mount Edgar in southwestern China. Chinese rescuers discovered Copp but because the surrounding area was still unstable, they left the body in place and took photographs for later identification.

I first heard last night that the body found was that of Copp but didn’t post anything until the news was officially released to the press today. Very sad news, indeed. I send my condolences to his family and many friends. We’re all going to miss Jonny’s energy for climbing and enthusiasm for life.

The search continues for 32-year-old Micah Dash, also from Boulder, and 24-year-old Wade Johnson, living in Boulder and on the expedition as a cameraman. Rescuers fear that the same avalanche that killed Copp also swept the pair down the mountain.

The two teams of American rescuers, who are en route to the mountain, hold out hope that the two somehow survived and are still alive. The first team of Eric DeCaria and Nick Martino are in China and should be at Base Camp on Monday to continue searching with the Chinese climbers. The second team of Pete Takeda and Steve Su are traveling to China and hope to be at Base Camp on Tuesday.

Climbers from 65 countries have opened their wallets and sent cash to help the expensive search and rescue effort—over $50,000 so far! If you want to help out, go to the Adventure Film Festival website. The Adventure Film Festival is an annual event in Boulder that Jonny Copp founded.

Photographs: Top: Jonny Copp. Middle: Jonny Copp goofing at an alpine belay.

Photographs courtesy Jonny Copp