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British climber takes children on year of outdoor learning, including El Capitan
British climber Leo Houlding and his wife Jess took their children out of school for a year to travel and learn through outdoor adventures. Their journey included climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan, a demanding 3,000-foot cliff, and reflects the family’s aim to spend time together while experiencing different cultures.
The trip began in July 2024, when Freya was ten and Jackson was seven, and covered Norway, the United States, Japan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The family homeschooled during the year; on El Capitan, Houlding climbed with two friends, setting ropes for the family and hauling about 250kg of supplies. Other activities included sea kayaking in Papua New Guinea and climbing an unclimbed mountain in Kyrgyzstan.
In short
- A British family took a year away from school for travel and adventure.
- Their journey included Yosemite’s 3,000-foot El Capitan.
- The children were homeschooled across six countries.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A year of travel and outdoor learning can give children first-hand experience of different cultures, landscapes and practical skills that a classroom may not readily provide. Taking time together as a family may also deepen relationships, while homeschooling can help maintain continuity in their education.
The case against
A year away from school can interrupt children’s established learning, friendships and routines, and homeschooling while travelling may not offer the same structure or specialist support as school. Demanding adventures such as El Capitan also involve risks and logistical burdens, so the educational and family benefits need to be weighed against children’s safety, wellbeing and own preferences.
Explained simply
El Capitan is a steep granite cliff in Yosemite National Park in California, popular with experienced climbers. Its height and long climbing routes mean that reaching the top can take several days and requires careful planning, equipment and supplies.
Leo Houlding is a British climber known for big-wall and mountain expeditions. His wife Jess and their children, Freya and Jackson, travelled with him; the children learned at home while the family visited several countries and took part in outdoor activities.
Families who take children out of school for extended travel must arrange how they will continue their education. The Houldings’ trip combined that responsibility with climbing and travel, including a climb on El Capitan, offering an example of how some families balance schooling with time outdoors and shared experiences.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “British couple climb Yosemite’s El Capitan with their two children as part of ‘adventure education’ year abroad”.