Build My Own FeedVIDEO: First ascent of Burkett Needle's east arete in Alaska, supported by the Copp-Dash Inspire Award
Black Diamond Equipment, along with La Sportiva, Mountain Hardwear and Patagonia, sponsor the Copp-Dash Inspire Award, an award established in honor of BD athletes Jonny Copp and Micah Dash who perished in an avalanche in 2009. The award's goal is to support not only alpine ascents throughout the world, but also to support the documentation and storytelling efforts of team members upon their return—something that Jonny and Micah excelled at. Below is an impressive and inspiring video that Dave Burdick, a 2011 awardee, filmed and produced of his first ascent on Alaska's Burkett Needle with Zac West and John Frieh.
Smash & Grab - An Ascent of Burkett Needle from Dave Burdick on Vimeo.
United States / English 
26 Jun 2012, 6:31PM
smash and grab sounds like a disrespectful way to relate to the mountains. nice, climb, but not an inspiring adventure. it seems that the use, and in many cases waste, of energy and fuel is not regarded at all. at what cost to our lives and the earth will we satisfy our egos? i don't want to underrate these climbers, or the copp dash award or their memories. but imagine a group of climbers doing this under human power? fast and light doesn't have to mean more money, fossil fuels, and waste.