The Ulvetanna Wall, meaning "Wolf’s Fang" in Norwegian (71°51′0″S, 8°20′0″E), is located in the Orvin Fjell mountains of Queen Maud Land in East Antarctica. At 2,930 meters above sea level, it is one of the most technically challenging peaks on the harsh Antarctic continent. The northeast ridge is about 2,000 meters long, featuring a 1,300-meter vertical ascent.
This Berghaus-sponsored expedition will last approximately 50 days. Houlding and his team have been preparing for months: "Ever since I first heard about this rare rock spire over a decade ago, I’ve dreamed of building up the skills and strength to conquer it. Ulvetanna presents a truly formidable challenge for me and my team, and that’s exactly what draws us to it." During this time, they have been testing and refining new cold-weather gear for Berghaus, which will be used on this Antarctic expedition: "I’ve put together a top-tier team, and we’ve built up extensive experience and chemistry. Most importantly, over the past year, my team and Berghaus have developed, tested, and improved the best tools and equipment to meet the demands of this extreme environment."
During this journey, Houlding will also participate in an innovative educational program, engaging with students from six schools. He will collaborate with the Adventure Learning School (ALS) and pupils from various institutions to form a unique partnership as part of their curriculum. The project also aims to inspire more young people to take an interest in exploration. Houlding has worked with ALS and school staff to develop course content for students, including how to survive on mountaineering expeditions, how to ration food and equipment properly, and how to cope with extreme climates. "I’m looking forward to the expedition and to turning it into something beneficial for young people. Working with the Adventure Learning School is very close to my heart—it reminds me of the excitement I felt as a child hearing these kinds of adventure stories. Ulvetanna conveys a wealth of knowledge to young people: from calculating food rations and calorie intake, to the new technology in the insulated and waterproof clothing provided by Berghaus."
It is reported that Houlding and his team will leave the UK in mid-December and will regularly update their blog with the latest expedition news at www.berghaus.com/ulvetanna.