Leo Goes Buildering...

That Leo Houlding fella's been at it again, this time he's climbed the Printworks building in central Manchester to launch this year's Kendal Festival which kicks off tomorrow, Friday 10 November.

Berghaus-sponsored Leo's no stranger to media-friendly stunts. Apart from tackling some rather respectable climbing routes, including record ascents in Yosemite, the 25-year-old Cumbrian rock prodigy as was, has also scaled the Angel of the North - like you do - and appeared with Tim Emmett on Top Gear 'racing' Clarkson to the top of the Verdon Gorge, obviously the climbers won.

Most recently, he's starred in the Berghaus promotional campaign for their new Big Wall range, undertaking stomach-churning, slack wire crossing high above the Yosemite Valley.

All of which, along with his role as a patron of the Kendal festival, makes him an ideal ambassador for this year's event. As most OMers will know, it's not just films, the ten-day celebration of all things mountainy also includes a mountain literature festival, including the judging of the Boardman Tasker Award, live speakers, mountain art and the results of this year's Extreme Film School.

"The Printworks is a landmark in Manchester and climbing it will be a different challenge to climbing on rock, but still testing," said Leo, desperately trying to work out why the Kendal festival should be launched in Manchester.

"The Kendal Mountain Film Festival is all about showcasing extreme action and introducing it to new audiences, so the Printworks was an ideal location."

Well worth a trip to the Lakes, more festival information at www.mountainfilm.co.uk. More about Berghaus at www.berghaus.com