Missing climber 'warned off peak'

Ben Cheek was advised not to make the solo attempt

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.

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, from the 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.

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

Mr Cheek, a research biologist, 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.

"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.

"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."

Bad weather has hampered search helicopters.

Foot searches of the area by other people in the original expedition failed to find any trace of Mr Cheek.

"We are all pulling together. We are a very close family," Ms Cheek said.

The Pakistani military has agreed to let its helicopter pilots fly out in the search when the weather relents.

In a statement, his family said: "Hopes have been raised for Ben following the daring and successful rescue of two Italian mountaineers after the tragic death of their leader on Nanga Parbat.

"Ben is now eight days overdue on his return from the treacherous Shimshal Whitehorn mountain in the Hunza Valley region of northern Pakistan, not far from the scene of yesterday's rescue.

"There is very grave and mounting concern among his family and friends, and within the climbing fraternity for his well-being."

The family have appealed for any climbers in the Pakistan area to assist with search.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in touch with next of kin and the Pakistani authorities, and providing consular assistance to the family."