Leo Houlding (born 28 July 1980) is a British rock climber who has climbed the Angel of the North along with more traditional ascents such as some of El Capitan's toughest lines.
Houlding began rock climbing at the age of 10.[1] In 1996, he became the British Junior Indoor Climbing Champion.[2] He spent the summer of 1997 living in and around Llanberis in North Wales. The summer was notable for having many well known UK climbers in the region at the same time, including Adam Wainwright, Tim Emmett, Simon Panton, Patch Hammond and others; some important new routes were established during that season. He became the subject of the 2003 TV documentary "My Right Foot" which was part of the Extreme Lives series aired on BBC Television.[3]
Houlding appeared in the BBC television programme Top Gear in which he raced presenter Jeremy Clarkson up a cliff face in Verdon Gorge, winning the challenge. Houlding, joined by Tim Emmett, climbed the canyon whilst Jeremy drove an Audi RS4 to the top using the surrounding roads.[4] He has also appeared several times on the Audi Channel.
He joined the 2007 Altitude Everest Expedition, led by American climber and mountaineer, Conrad Anker, retracing the last steps of legendary British climber, George Mallory, on Everest.[5]
In 2008, Houlding presented Take Me to the Edge, a British reality series on Virgin1 (later repeated on STV); and has signed a deal with Ford Motor Company to become a brand ambassador for their pick up truck, the Ford Ranger.
In August 2009 he led a team of climbers and film makers to Mount Asgard on Baffin Island, Canada. They attempted to free climb a 15 pitch route up the north face of the mountain to create the first free route. Although over half of the ascent was eventually freed, the team were unable to complete the full free ascent within the available time. Houlding and American team member Sean 'Stanley' Leary BASE jumped from the summit. The ascent took 12 days and is featured in the 2010 film The Asgard Project.[6]
He appeared in the 2010 film The Wildest Dream along with Conrad Anker retracing the steps of George Mallory and 'Sandy' Irvine in order to recreate their journey up Mount Everest.
In 2010 he completed his 10 year project "The Prophet", making him the first Briton to complete a new free route on the on the famous El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, California.