Berghaus Brings Its Roots to Boulder for a Night of Storytelling with Leo Houlding and Summit Journal

Berghaus, the storied British outdoor brand with 60 years of mountaineering heritage, brought long-time ambassador Leo Houlding to Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder earlier this month for a public showcase of his recent expedition to Baffin Island this past Spring. The evening, which also marked the launch of a special collaborative edition of Summit Journal, drew over 180 attendees as part of Berghaus’s ongoing push to connect its British roots with major outdoor communities across North America.

“We’re thrilled with the turnout of this event,” says Alexis Baden, Berghaus’s U.S. Marketing Manager. “Opening opportunities like this up to the public, rather than keeping them behind closed doors, is exactly the kind of connection we want to build as we grow here in the U.S. This event is just the beginning of our series of our public-facing activations this fall.”

The Berghaus special edition of Summit Journal weaves together three sections: 60 years of Berghaus heritage, a first look at the Winter ’26 collection, and an in-depth feature on Houlding’s expedition on Baffin Island. As Summit Journal editor Michael Levy said, “the alignment between the brands was natural, built on shared values and principals as well as decades of connection to the climbing community.”

“Getting to work with Leo Houlding, Chris Bonington, Mick Fowler, and the ace team at Berghaus to pull this magazine together was incredible: real editorial climbing coverage plus a fantastic way to introduce Berghaus to a new market,” said Levy. “And Leo Houlding is as real of a climber as you’ll find. He’s in it for life, and his excellent story about a first ascent in Baffin Island had all the trappings of a great adventure story. The cherry on top was celebrating the Summit Journal x Berghaus magazine and the brand’s U.S. launch with an event at the legendary Neptune Mountaineering, in Boulder, Colorado. Three historic brands — Berghaus, Summit Journal, Neptune Mountaineering — came together for a night of storytelling, top-notch outdoor apparel, good food and drink, and most importantly, good people. Couldn’t have asked for more.”

Houlding’s weeklong Baffin Island expedition resulted in the first ascent of The Beak, an enormous, 2,300 foot sea cliff overlooking the Sam Ford Fjord, or Kangiqtualuk Uqquqti in Inuktitut. Equipped with Berghaus’s Extrem Collection, the brand’s most technical line of mountaineering apparel and equipment, the team established a mixed‑style route on the peak.

“Berghaus had backed my more questionable ideas for nearly three decades by the time this trip materialized,” says Houlding. “We’ve been through a lot together: major climbs and first ascents from the Amazon to Antarctica, Everest to El Cap. A relationship only lasts that long if there is genuine trust on both sides. I come up with slightly unhinged plans, Berghaus helps make them possible, including products we’ve designed together for exactly the sorts of places most gear has no business being.”

This season also marks Berghaus’s 60th anniversary; a milestone for a brand built on distinctly English style and durability. The ICONS collection remains Berghaus’s most recognizable line, its parkas’ distinct coloring and silhouette setting them apart from contemporary outerwear pieces. Updated with modern GORE-TEX technology, the collection pairs the retro style with genuine weather performance.

The Boulder event comes just a few weeks before Berghaus launches its dedicated website in the U.S.

on Oct. 1, providing U.S. consumers full access to the Berghaus brand and collection for the first time in North America. Founding members of the Berghaus community in North America can join the mailing list for a first look at Berghaus products, as well as $50 off their first order.

Together, the Houlding showcase, the Summit Journal launch, and forthcoming website launch mark an exciting season for Berghaus in North America — one that pairs British heritage with North American novelty.

“We give a huge thanks to our friends at Summit Journal, Neptune Mountaineering, and our UK team for making this event possible,” says Shane Wallance, Director of Berghaus North America. “We’re honored to share Berghaus’s rich history in this new territory, and couldn’t have imagined a more engaging week in Boulder to make our vision come to life.”