This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7525047.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Missing climber 'warned off peak' Missing climber 'warned off peak'
(30 minutes later)
A British mountaineer who is missing in northern Pakistan after a solo attempt on a 20,000ft (6,096m) summit was warned not to embark on the climb.A British mountaineer who is missing in northern Pakistan after a solo attempt on a 20,000ft (6,096m) summit was warned not to embark on the climb.
Ben Cheek, 28, of Manchester, began Shimshal Whitehorn on 11 July, but failed to return as planned.Ben Cheek, 28, of Manchester, began Shimshal Whitehorn on 11 July, but failed to return as planned.
Fellow climbers in his expedition had warned him conditions were too bad to attempt the peak alone, his sister, Laura Cheek, told the BBC.Fellow climbers in his expedition had warned him conditions were too bad to attempt the peak alone, his sister, Laura Cheek, told the BBC.
She said the family, originally from Scottish Borders, were praying for him.She said the family, originally from Scottish Borders, were praying for him.
"We are all keeping our fingers crossed and waiting for any news we can get from Pakistan from Ben's expedition leaders," said Ms Cheek."We are all keeping our fingers crossed and waiting for any news we can get from Pakistan from Ben's expedition leaders," said Ms Cheek.
We are all pulling together. We are a very close family Laura Cheek It is not the first time the climber has attempted the peak, and poor conditions had forced him to call-off a previous attempt in 2006, she added. We are all pulling together. We are a very close family Laura Cheek
It is not the first time the climber has attempted the peak, and poor conditions had forced him to call-off a previous attempt in 2006, she added.
Mr Cheek decided to make the attempt alone after he and a group of three other experienced climbers failed to reach a 25,000ft (7,620m) peak in the same range.Mr Cheek decided to make the attempt alone after he and a group of three other experienced climbers failed to reach a 25,000ft (7,620m) peak in the same range.
He was due to return four days later but has not been seen since.He was due to return four days later but has not been seen since.
"They did advise him that it was a very dangerous undertaking to go on his own and they are extremely worried about him," said Ms Cheek."They did advise him that it was a very dangerous undertaking to go on his own and they are extremely worried about him," said Ms Cheek.
The family had been told a rescue helicopter would be scrambled to look for Mr Cheek after foot searches of the area failed to find any trace of him. "He has been in dire situations before and he has survived for long periods of time in extreme conditions and we're just praying that at the moment he is well and just waiting for rescue."Mr Cheek's family have been told a rescue helicopter will search for him
Consular assistance The family has been told that two military helicopters have not yet been sent out yet because of bad weather in the region today.
Foot searches of the area by other people in the original expedition failed to find any trace of him.
Ms Cheek thanked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Pakistan military for organising the rescue mission.Ms Cheek thanked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Pakistan military for organising the rescue mission.
"We are all pulling together. We are a very close family," she said."We are all pulling together. We are a very close family," she said.
"Me and my two older brothers, Tom and Jim, my parents, Heather and Michael, my uncle Andy - everybody has been involved trying everything possible to help Benj.""Me and my two older brothers, Tom and Jim, my parents, Heather and Michael, my uncle Andy - everybody has been involved trying everything possible to help Benj."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in touch with next of kin and the Pakistani authorities, and providing consular assistance to the family."A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in touch with next of kin and the Pakistani authorities, and providing consular assistance to the family."