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Those
who view rock climbing as a boring pursuit for middle-aged hikers
- think again.
A
22-year-old Sheffield climbing prodigy is shaking up the traditional
image of the sport and making a living out of conquering mountains
all over the world - while having the time of his life.
Leo
Houlding is part of a new generation of climbers taking the sport
to the furthest extreme and turning it into a high-adrenalin activity
and a whole new way of life.
We might be in France one week, on a clubbing trip to Ibiza
the next week and a snowboarding trip to the Alps the week after....
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| Leo
Houlding |
Leo
wants to change people's views on the sport and those who pursue
it.
"The
new generation is no longer the red sock brigade anymore," he said.
"We
might be on a camping trip in France one week and a clubbing trip
to Ibiza the next week and then a snowboarding trip to the Alps
the week after. It's got a bit more street cred basically."
Leo
likes to live life to the full - whether free climbing mountains
or partying all night.
And,
because he is sponsored, he is one of only three people in the UK
who gets paid to do it.
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| Leo
and climbing mate Andy Cave in the Czech Republic |
But
his world nearly fell apart in 2002 after an accident in Patagonia
shattered the bones in his right foot which cast doubt over his
future career.
However,
Leo doesn't believe he takes outlandish risks.
He
said, "Accidents
happen, but accidents happen in everything, every day.
"It's
not easy just to say avoid risk - buying a house is taking a risk,
just different consequences. You've got to know the consequences
and know your abilities and make a judgement."
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It's kind of a gymnastic/ballet movement on rocks which has
qualities of yoga... |
| Leo
Houlding |
Leo's
passion for his sport, which he took up at the age of 10, is evident.
He sees it as much more than just an extreme activity.
"Actually
moving on rock has various appeals. It's very physical and it's
quite graceful and it's kind of a gymnastic/ballet movement on rocks
which is very satisfying and kind of has qualities of yoga.
"You're
really using your body and you're breathing and physically you push
yourself a long way as you also do mentally with the aspect of risk
and being able to stay motivated."
He's
away from home for months at a time, but has managed to keep a relationship
going - although he doesn't have plans to settle down.
"I've
got a girlfriend who climbs a bit; she's a surfer really and we
have a good time. But there's no need to settle down in the modern
world because flights are so cheap."
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It's not a rush - it's more like falling in love.. |
| Leo
Houlding |
Climbing
also allows him to tap into his spiritual side and view life from
a completely different perspective.
"You
spend weeks in mountain environments when you're doing climbs.
"You
could say it's the intensity that gets you high just because it's
such an incredible experience. It's not a rush - it's more like
falling in love."
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