Sir Ranulph Fiennes forced to abandon South American summit
Press release published
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been forced to abandon his effort to climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, after suffering from severe back pain. The 72-year-old had to be helicoptered from the 6,962m (22, 838 feet) mountain, when he was just a few hours from the summit on Monday (16th January).
Sir Ranulph was climbing the mountain as part of his attempt to become the first person to cross both the polar ice caps and climb the 7 highest mountains on each continent – all to raise money for the terminal illness charity Marie Curie.
Speaking from Mendoza in Argentina Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “I was within just a few hours of the summit but problems with my back meant I couldn’t continue. I’m very frustrated, but I’ve learnt that at my age you can’t ignore any pain. I’m going to come home to the UK and get my back looked at before I do anything else.”
Sir Ranulph had recently returned from successfully climbing Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica in December as part of his current record attempt. The challenge brings together a lifetime of exploration for Fiennes, having already crossed both polar ice caps in 1982, climbing Mount Everest in Asia (in 2009 on his third attempt), Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa (2004) and Mount Elbrus in Europe (2016).
To complete his Global Reach Challenge and claim a world first, he still needs to successfully climb Aconcagua in South America, Carstenz in Indonesia and Denali in North America.
Sir Ranulph has raised money for Marie Curie for a number of years by taking on extreme challenges. This includes becoming the first person to cross both ice caps and summit Everest – known then as the ‘Explorers Grand Slam’. He was the oldest Briton to climb Everest. In 2015 he also became the oldest Briton to complete the gruelling Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert.
The money Sir Ranulph raises helps Marie Curie provide vital care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families. Sir Ranulph has raised over £18m in total for charity and aims to raise £20m for good causes in his lifetime.
To support Sir Ranulph’s Global Reach Challenge in aid of Marie Curie go to www.justgiving.com/Ranulph.
All donations towards Sir Ranulph’s Global Reach Challenge will go to Marie Curie. The costs of the challenge are being covered by the generous sponsorship of long-term benefactor Paul Sykes and corporate sponsor TMF Group.
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Notes to editor
Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness
Please note – we are now called ‘Marie Curie’ (not Marie Curie Cancer Care)
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.
For more information on Marie Curie and Sir Ranulph’s support visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/ranulph .
Further information about Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ Challenge
Sir Ranulph is attempting to become the first person to have crossed both polar ice caps (by traversing the Arctic Ocean and crossing the Antarctic continent) and climb the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. He was, in 2009, the first person to cross both ice caps and summit Everest. In 1982 Sir Ranulph circumnavigated the world on its polar axis during a three year trans-globe expedition travelling solely by sea and land on a route that has never been repeated, with Charles Burton.
* Sir Ranulph has also previously climbed Mount Kosciuszko in Australasia, which is included on some lists of each continent’s highest mountains in place of Carstensz Pyramid.
Breakdown of the Global Reach Challenge:
Peak/Continent
Aconcagua, South America (Argentina) - Climbing Jan 2017
Mount Carstensz, Australasia (Indonesia) - Climbing April 2017
Denali, North America (Alaska) - Climbing May 2017
Mount Vinson, Antarctica - Completed Dec 2016
Mount Elbrus, Europe (Russia) - Completed July 2016
Mount Everest, Africa (Nepal) - Completed in 2009
Mount Kilimanjaro, Asia (Tanzania) - Completed in 2004
Mount Kosciuszko, Australasia (Australia) - Completed in 2015
Crossed polar ice caps - Completed in 1982
SPONSORS
Paul Sykes
Paul Sykes, long time benefactor of Sir Ranulph, is sponsoring the Global Reach Challenge, in aid of Marie Curie.
TMF Group
TMF Group are the headline corporate sponsor of the Sir Ranulph Fiennes Global Reach Challenge.
With operations in more than 80 countries providing global business services, TMF Group is the global expert that understands local needs. TMF Group helps global companies expand and invest seamlessly across international borders. Its expert accountants and legal, HR and payroll professionals are located around the world, helping clients to operate their corporate structures, finance vehicles and investments in different locations. www.tmf-group.com
Inmarsat
Inmarsat is sponsoring the Global Reach Challenge’s satellite communications.
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organisations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ISAT.L).
LEAR Fitness
LEAR Fitness is sponsoring the oxygen required for the Global Reach Challenge.
LEAR Fitness offers a new, unique approach to health and well-being. Its aim is to support clients to achieve their own personal lifestyle goals, following on from major surgery, training for specific sports events, or maintaining their level of health and fitness in a welcoming, supportive environment with fully qualified team. Offering a range of services from physiotherapy and physio-led reformer and mat classes, personal training, nutritional advice, fitness classes, indoor cycling studio, LEAR Fitness clients have access to professionals to help them restore and maintain the level of fitness they need. Currently with two purpose-built centres in Leamington Spa and Harrogate, LEAR Fitness has plans to open its third centre within the next 12 months.
Berghaus
Berghaus has supplied Sir Ranulph Fiennes with its performance clothing.
Founded in North East England in 1966, Berghaus is the UK’s leading brand of performance clothing, footwear and equipment for outdoor activities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking and adventure racing, and for general outdoor use. During five decades, Berghaus has been responsible for introducing many new innovations to the market and continues to develop kit that is right at the cutting edge. Berghaus regularly equips some of the world’s greatest adventurers as they explore the planet, from the top of Everest to Antarctica, and tropical forests in Venezuela to the Atacama Desert in Chile. To find out more about Berghaus visit www.berghaus.com and www.facebook.com/berghaus, or follow @TheRealBerghaus on Twitter.