Team members go up the ridge leading to the base of Ulvetanna. Photo: Alastair Lee/Berghaus

Top British climber Leo Houlding has described his ‘out of this world’ first climb of a brutal route in Antarctica, saying the expedition pushed his team to its limits.

Cumbrian adventurer Houlding and his team posted the first ascent of the north-east ridge of Ulvetanna in eastern Antarctica.

The 2,930m mountain, whose name is Norwegian for Wolf’s Tooth, rises from what Houlding described as the white desert of Queen Maud Land. The peak, which he called one of the last great climbs, is part of the Fenriskjeften range of mountains.

Film-maker and photographer Alastair Lee recorded the ascent by the team, which included Brits Chris Rabone and Jason Pickles, Sean Leary of the United States and David Reeves of South Africa.

The expedition was sponsored by British outdoor brand Berghaus.

Base camp with Ulvetanna in the background, 5km away. Photo: Alastair Lee/Berghaus

Leo Houlding said: “Ulvetanna’s fearsome north-east ridge allowed us safe passage up and down from her summit, but not without showing a few teeth.

“We’re back in base camp with all our stuff; the weather is great again and we’re all loving life.

“This landscape of endless white desert and giant rock fangs is totally out of this world.

“At times in truly brutal conditions, we have all been pushed to our limits. We have taken a beating, but come out on top – well, back at the bottom thankfully.

Leo Houlding on the mountain's headwall. Photo: Alastair Lee/Berghaus

“We have just completed the first ascent of one of the world’s last great climbs and are all suitably psyched. A decade of dreaming; a year of planning; a month on the ice, and a week on the wall and we have done it.

“It’s a dream come true – nice one boys!”

More details of the team’s experiences can be found in the expedition blog.