COPP-DASH INSPIRE AWARD


As of 2020, we have officially retired this grant. We continue to honor the memories of Jonny Copp and Micah Dash and celebrate their ideals of adventure and exploration.

Jonny Copp and Micah Dash were two of America's leading alpine climbers, adventuring to the farthest corners of the world in search of first ascents in the purest of style. It was on just such a mission in May 2009, in western China's Sichuan province, that Jonny and Micah were killed in an avalanche along with filmmaker Wade Johnson. With Jonny and Micah's deaths we lost two of the great alpinists, characters, and storytellers the North American climbing world has recently known.

Jonny and Micah believed the summit meant something, but style was everything. They pursued climbing in the same manner they lived—with vigor and passion, and with a strong desire to share their adventures with the rest of the climbing world through photographs, videos and slideshows.

The Copp-Dash Inspire Award helped support small teams tackling difficult climbs in the great mountains of the world who plan to personally document and share their ascents through a multimedia blend of storytelling elements. Proposed trips or climbs focused on unclimbed objectives in distant ranges and regions, requiring a high level of skill and commitment and climbed in a fast, light and clean style that stays true to the progression of expedition climbing.

Documentation styles included photos, videos, and writing that vividly captured the essence and adventure of the trip or climb. Storytelling elements have led to slideshows, viral film clips, magazine articles, multimedia presentations, etc.

This award was made possible through the support of: Black Diamond Equipment, La Sportiva, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Adventure Film Festival, Alpinist Magazine, American Alpine Club, Sender Films, Jonny Copp Foundation.