Leo Houlding works with pupils from the Adventure Learning Schools

A team of schoolchildren will follow climber Leo Houlding’s next adventure, which he calls ‘the last great climb’.

The Cumbrian athlete is working with six schools that will monitor his progress from the warmth of their classrooms while he attempts the Wolf’s Tooth thousands of miles to the South in the sub-zero temperatures of the Antarctic.

He will be accompanied on his expedition by film-maker Al Lee, whose account of Houlding’s climb on to the Amazonian ‘Lost World’ of Autana went down a storm at this weekend’s Kendal Mountain Festival.

The target of the climbing team which also includes Sean Leary, Jason Pickles, David Reeves and Chris Rabone is the 2,930m (9,613ft) Ulvetanna – Norwegian for Wolf’s Tooth.

Houlding rates the mountain the most technically demanding on the harshest continent in the world. His chosen route is a new one up the north-east ridge, entailing 1,300m (4,265ft) of vertical ascent on the 2,000m (6,562ft) long ridge. He expects the expedition to last 50 days.

He and his team have been preparing for months, during which time they have helped sponsors Berghaus develop and test a collection of cold-weather products that will be used in Antarctica.

Leo Houlding said: “Since I first heard of this otherworldly peak more than a decade ago I have dreamed of amassing the skill, strength and support necessary to reach this most elusive mountain.

“Ulvetanna presents me and my team with a truly formidable challenge, which is exactly what draws us to it.

“After long preparation, our goal it is finally upon the horizon.

Leo Houlding feels the chill with MtnHaus designer James Hodgson

“I have assembled a first-class crew and between us we now have a wealth of relevant experienced. Crucially, during the last year, Berghaus, my team and I have gone to new lengths to develop, test and refine the very best kit required for this most extreme adventure.”

During the trip, Houlding will be participating in the innovative education initiative that will see students from the six schools follow the team’s progress ‘live’ as part of their curriculum.

The scheme is part of a partnership between the Adventure Learning Schools charity and individual schools and it is hoped that the project will inspire hundreds of youngsters.

Houlding has collaborated with ALS and school staff to develop content for students, covering essential considerations that will keep the climbers alive on their expedition, ranging from logistics and planning to nutrition and dealing with the extreme climate.

He said: “I am really looking forward to both the expedition and the opportunity turn it into something that benefits young people.

“Working with Adventure Learning Schools is something that is very close to my heart and I recall very well the excitement of hearing about this kind of expedition when I was a kid.

“Ulvetanna offers so many opportunities to pass on rich learning to young people, from the mathematics of food rationing and calorie intake to the science behind the new Berghaus Hydrodown technology in our insulated clothing.”

Houlding and his team will leave the UK in mid-December and will be sending back regular updates from Antarctica. Details of the expedition can be found on the Berghaus website and the latest news will appear as a blog on the site and on Facebook and Twitter.