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Body of missing Minnesota climber found in China

By Emily Kaiser in Obituary

Monday, Jun. 8 2009 @ 9:05AM

Photo courtesy of Carleton

After extensive searches through dangerous blizzard conditions, search crews recovered the body of a Minnesota climber who went missing in southwestern China last week. He was part of a three-person team that was buried by an avalanche.

Wade Johnson, 24, was from Arden Hills and a 2007 graduate of Carleton College. His body was found Monday morning. One climber's body was recovered this weekend and third person is still missing.

The three men were climbing Mount Gongga in Sichuan province. Johnson was working for Sender Films of Boulder, which makes climbing and outdoor adventure films.

Johnson was an experienced climber and was planning to begin the University of Washington Ph.D. chemistry program this fall.

Carleton will hold a memorial service today for Johnson at the Skinner Memorial Chapel on the campus in Northfield at 2:45 p.m. There will be a full service on Friday, June 19.