My heart broke when I learned of the disappearance and deaths of climbers Micah Dash, Johnny Copp, and Wade Johnson on their Mount Edgar attempt earlier this month. While I have never met Johnny or Wade, I have heard nothing but outstanding reports regarding the two men. I have hit the Creek a few times with Micah. He is one of the most quality individuals I have ever known or had the pleasure to climb with. He had an uncanny ability to make situations light, make ring locks look comfortable, and made a killer burrito.
Return2Sender is one of my favorite climbing videos of all time. Ninety minutes of crack. Parallelojams is an amazing Indian Creek tutorial, perfect if you are breaking into trad or vertical crack. A pack of pros break down hand jamming, finger stacks, ring locks, and off width resourcefulness. You are able to watch Micah and his long, thin, tapered hands go to their limit, see the pros place passive protection, see as many versions of tape gloves as there are people …and Timmy O’Neil sings one awesome Indian Creek beat box (see clip below).
The film feels very different now knowing Micah is gone, body still unrecovered in China. Eric Decaria
, another featured climber in Return2Sender was among the rescue and recovery team who helped search for Micah, Johnny, and Wade. Return2Sender was produced by Sender Films, where Wade was a cinematographer. Return2Sender won three awards at the Boulder Adventure Film Fest back in 2005. I am surprised how many climbers have not seen this film. It is remarkable. Not only do you witness an Indian Creek desert crack epic, but also Cicada, a 10 year old girl killing V10, a good history of big wall climbing, and a 70 foot slackline linking towers at the Bridger Jacks. Return2Sender is not to be missed.
A memorial service will be held for Micah Dash, Johnny Copp, and Wade Johnson in Boulder, CO July 11, 2009. All are welcome.
