Fonthill Father to make the first British attempt to climb Dingshung in Nepal

Latest News - 19 April 2010

Rob Gearing and the team have had an exciting climb of Dingshung, but we have heard that they were unable to complete it in full due to encountering a number of severe rockfalls. When one of these rockfalls smashed two safety helmets they decided to return to base camp. The team have safely made their descent and now face the next challenge of getting home. More news to follow.

The Climb

Rob Gearing and Simon Yates will be making the first British attempt of the 6263m Dingshung peak in Nepal in early April and making the world’s first approach by the South East Ridge. Both are experienced climbers and Simon Yates' near-disastrous climb with Joe Simpson is recounted in "Touching the Void", a best-selling book and now a Hollywood blockbuster.

Rob, father of Max and Amelie and Old Fonthillians Jenna and Ellen, said “the SE ridge has never been attempted before so frankly speaking we don’t know what we are in for until we are on it.

”We leave on the 27th of March and hope to be starting the attempt on the 6th or 7th of April. It is very much dependent on conditions and how we cope with the altitude as to when we hope to reach the summit. I am hoping that I can  phone the school from the summit if the timing works.”

Rob and Simon will follow the Everest trail from Lukla to Namche Bazaar before heading west and north up the Thame Valley to reach a base camp at the summer settlement of Chutangbo. This will act as an ideal place from which to attempt the peak by its SE Ridge.   

As they climb towards the top of the world Rob and Simon will be raising money to bring the world a little closer together.  The first British attempt is hoped to raise funds towards bringing the internet to St Matthews' school in Cyangugu, Rwanda.  The money will allow children of the Fonthill Lodge classroom in Rwanda to talk to pupils at Fonthill Lodge school in East Grinstead, England.  The two schools have been associated for over a decade and this will give the children the chance to share experiences, collaborate on academic and music projects and talk together on Skype.  

“The internet will bring to Cyangugu a whole new dimension in learning” said Bishop Barham OBE, former Bishop of Rwanda, the driving force behind the development of St Matthews’ School in Rwanda and a regular visitor to Fonthill Lodge. “English has just last month become the official language of Rwanda and our children and teachers are eager to join in conversations and lessons with English pupils in East Grinstead.  Connecting via the internet to extend their studies and see and hear more about the world has been a project on my wishlist. It is marvellous that this attempt on the Fonthill Ridge will help us to lay the cables we need over the hills of Cyangugu to the telephone exchange, so opening up the boundaries between the two Fonthill classrooms. “

The British attempt is self-funded and monies raised will all go towards the educational ICT project.   Please give generously to support and encourage this first British attempt of Dingshung.  Please click on the link below to make your online donation through JustGiving.

Pictured below: Simon Yates and Dingshung