SPIDERMAN LIVES! Daredevils George and team free climb for Esther Benjamins Trust

5th January 2010 – 20th February 2010. George Ullrich, Peter Rhodes and Kinloch (Mason) Earl, will attempt the first free ascent of a new route on Cerro Cathedra 10 in Torres del Paine, Patagonia in Chile, South America. This route is an established Aid route which has only recently been repeated, and never before “free climbed”*. It is 1000 meters in height and is reputed to have some of the best granite in the area with countless possibilities for new lines. This six-week arduous challenge is also being undertaken in order to raise awareness of The Esther Benjamins Trust (EBT). EBT is a UK-registered charity leading the way in the rescue, rehabilitation and long-term residential care of the forgotten children of Nepal. George, 20, grew up in the Lake District and has been climbing for 10 years after being introduced to the sport at the Kendal Climbing Wall. George attended the Queen Katherine School in the town. He is now one of the UK’s brightest young climbers and in his short career so far has completed several major test-pieces, both at home and abroad. Most recently a trip to the US resulted in the first attempted climb at the infamous ‘Bachar-Yerian’ in Tuolumne without the use of fixed pro. His team for this challenge comprises Peter Rhodes, 26, from Edinburgh, and Mason Earl, 20, from Massachusetts, USA. Peter’s previous experience includes ten ascents of El Cap in Yosemite National Park, sometimes in as little as 12 hours. Mason spends much of his time working through routes in Indian Creek, Durango, Colorado. He and Peter climb together regularly in Patagonia. This will be the first time that George will join them. George became aware of the work of EBT through a family friend, Namaste-UK founder, Sam Brummitt. After learning about their work he was inspired to use the trip as a means of raising awareness of the trust and fundraising on their behalf. Currently 130 child trafficking survivors along with children whose parents are in prison, and former street children are cared for at one of the EBT’s three refuges across Nepal. Here they are provided with safe, secure accommodation and good quality education and training to prepare them for an independent adult life. The Trust also helps deaf children and other vulnerable young people through support to a large school for deaf children in Bhairahawa, South West Nepal, and through skills taught at an integrated mosaic art workshop run by the Trust. The sponsors of this daring challenge are Namaste UK and Beyond Hope (Climbing Equipment). Namaste are a UK-based fair trade company specializing in gifts from Nepal and throughout Asia. They are long-term supporters of the work of EBT and proud to be sponsoring George on his expedition. Beyond Hope are providing the team with the necessary technical equipment. All money raised will go directly to sustaining the caring environment EBT has created and provide for the country’s forgotten children. For further information please visit our website at www.ebtrust.org.uk If you would like to support this expedition by donating to the trust then please visit, www.virginmoneygiving.com/freecatedralwww.namaste-uk.comwww.beyondhope.co.uk * Free climbing means: to climb up the rock, without any form of aid to assist in the climb. The only tools are your hands pulling yourself up on the rock. Ropes can be used for protection only, but at no stage should the rope be weighted.