Ten days on an unclimbed rock face, five nights suspended on the wall and temperatures plunging to -27°C: Leo Houlding and Eric Boomer take on one of the Arctic’s most formidable climbing challenges, testing Berghaus’ AW26 Extrem range along the way.
In May 2026, Berghaus ambassador and world-renowned climber Leo Houlding led a nine-person expedition into the remote wilderness of Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, taking the brand’s AW26 Extrem range into one of the world’s most challenging environments.
The expedition culminated in Leo Houlding and fellow climber Eric Boomer making the first ascent of The Beak, a towering 700-metre cliff of steep, loose and previously unclimbed rock in Kangiqtualuk Uqquqti, also known as Sam Ford Fjord.
The pair spent ten days completing the ascent, including five nights sleeping suspended from the cliff face itself. Facing winds of up to 60 mph, temperatures ranging from -27°C to above freezing and a sun that never set, the expedition put both the climbers and their equipment to the test in true Arctic conditions.
Beyond the climb, the wider team embraced the extraordinary Baffin Island landscape through snowkiting, ski touring, climbing and paragliding, even building and sleeping in their own igloo.
Marta Misztal, a member of the expedition team, described the experience:
‘Baffin Island was a proper adventure – from snowkiting and ski touring to climbing, paragliding and sleeping in our own igloo. Surrounded by an incredible frozen landscape, sharing it with such a brilliant team made it a trip I’ll never forget’
Shop the full Berghaus Extrem range, tested in the extreme conditions of the Canadian Arctic, at Berghaus.com. Discover the hero products from the collection below.
Extrem Vanguard GTX Jacket (Men’s & Women’s) – £560
Built with 3L GORE-TEX ePE fabric for durable waterproof, windproof and breathable protection. Features a helmet-compatible hood, articulated fit, pit zips and harness-compatible pockets.
Weight: 590g (Men’s M) / 560g (Women’s UK 12)
Extrem Vanguard GTX Pant (Men’s & Women’s) – £410
Durable 3L GORE-TEX ePE protection for alpine climbing and ski touring, with articulated knees, full-length side zips, harness-compatible pockets and adjustable boot cuffs.
Weight: 546g (Men’s M) / 516g (Women’s UK 12)
MTN Arete Ultra Down Hoody (Men’s & Women’s) – £370
Designed for extreme cold, combining 850-fill-power Hydrodown insulation with targeted Liquid Crystal reinforcement for added durability. Features zoned insulation, a helmet-compatible hood and five practical pockets.
Weight: 470g (Men’s M) / 380g (Women’s UK 12)
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