Letter to Climber Jonny Copp Killed in Chinese Avalanche

I read this letter that Jeremy Collins, a climbing artist that lives in Kansas City, Missouri, wrote to his friend Jonny Copp and posted on-line at the Adventure Film Festival website. It’s a moving tribute to Jonny. Jeremy kindly allowed me to republish it here on my About.com blog.

After reading the letter, I posted a short note on Jeremy’s Facebook site which read: “Most climbers don’t know or understand the amazing bonds of friendship and love we share with our climbing partners.” When we climb, we put our lives in the hands of our friends and partners. We trust each other. Jeremy understands this…so did Jonny.

Dear Jonny,

I have been thinkin' about you non-stop these last couple days, man. Sleep has been an elusive moth fluttering about outside the window.

I am picturing you okay with this whole predicament, laughing under your breath in some awkward position thinking "what did I get myself into this time?".

You were my greatest fan—always exaggerating how good my art was. I almost believed you. Thank you, friend.

Every time you call, you always ask about my wife and kid first before climbing or work or any other crap on the days agenda. I observed you do that with others. Thank you for being genuine.

You encouraged everyone around you to be passionate, creative, and driven, and it shows by the company you keep. Thank you for pushing us all to be better.

I called you asking for beta on clothing for my first Patagonia trip last season. The next day I had a delivery from Fed-ex with what you thought would work best. Thank you for believing in me.

When we exchanged anything via snail-mail, you always included a handwritten note that had nothing to do with the project at hand—just encouragement, good vibes, and PSYCHE. Thank you for not being too busy to share.

Every time we'd get home from an adventure, you'd send a CD WITH PRINTS 2 days later. Thank you. WHO DOES THAT!?

Jonny, you often talked openly with me about my journey as a Christian. You didn't believe everything I did, but you found common ground, and treated me with respect, decency and maturity. Thank you. That's uncommon.

That’s also consistent with the way you treated everyone from what I could see. I never heard you talk badly about someone. Never. Thank you.

When we topped out the Gothic Pillar in the Black Canyon, I pointed out a potential new route to you. You laughed and said "Maybe as a training route for the Karakorum, but as an end into itself, no thanks." I laughed and realized how different your perspective must be from mine. Different from most of us.

You inspired many, encouraged all you came in contact with, and raged in the mountains all over the world, leaving a legacy unparalleled. Thank you, friend.

Wherever you are, I hope you are seeing endless sunny granite, and the pressure is infinitely high.

Remember the picture above? You with your ever-present floppy camo hat and goatee, collected a batch of flowers to take to your lady after a long day in the mountains. You said, "You better get some too, you're gonna be home later than me.

I did.

I will miss you, Jonny. We had a lot more flowers to pick

Your friend,
Jeremy Collins

Photograph: Jonny Copp collects wildflowers in Colorado.

Photograph courtesy Jeremy Collins