About us

Daryl Godfrey Development & Training

Daryl began his career in the outdoors back in 1989 working five winter seasons as a member of ski staff for a British tour operator in European Alps.
Returning to life in Derbyshire, Daryl took a position with Derbyshire Youth Service establishing two successful outdoor education projects in Chesterfield and Derby.
Before moving into outdoor centre work at Whitehall and Dukes Barn).

More recently Daryl worked as a guide for a British expedition company, an associate lecturer at University of Derby and continues to train and advise other outdoor organisations. Daryl has responsibility for safety management systems, staff training and business direction.

Personal mountaineering & caving experience: 
Greenland, Pakistan, America, Tanzania, Morocco, Kenya, Jordan, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, Slovenia, Spain, Sardinia, Mallorca, Greece, Norway, Nepal and Poland .

Qualifications:
International Mountain Leader Award
Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (formerly the MIA)
Mountain Leader Award (Summer and Winter)
Cave Instructors Certificate
Diploma in Youth and Community Work

Daryl has been training and assessing aspirant leaders and instructors on behalf of the National Governing Bodies since 1997

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Sam Mitchell Operations Director

Sam began his career in the outdoors in 1986, being engaged delivering development programmes to older teenagers and apprentices. He later worked for a number of management training organisations and training colleges countrywide. Drawn towards America by the climbing, Sam lived in San Francisco for two years enjoying California’s warmer climes and climbs.

Locally Sam was involved in the establishment of a publicly funded indoor climbing facility, where he continues to coach young people from the surrounding community. Prior to his position at Acclimbatize Sam was engaged delivering adventurous project work to schools in the Derby City area.

Sam is a gifted, highly efficient organiser who brings a creative panache to our team building courses. Sam progresses many of our courses from the initial enquiry through planning to delivery. Sam is currently progressing through the Cave Instructors Certificate (C.I.C) scheme.

Personal Mountaineering & Caving Experience:
Experience has been obtained in America, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Canada, Corsica, Mallorca, Sardinia and Switzerland.

Qualifications:
Mountain Leader Award,
Rock Climbing Instructor
Vertical Cave Leader
European Ropes Course Award,
Industrial Rope Access Technician Level 2

Sharon Mitchell Administrator & Marketing

Sharon joined the team in 2018 and made a huge impact on the efficiency of our operation.
Sharon is highly diligent and laser focused on all the things outdoor instructors like least about their jobs.

She enjoys climbing, mountain biking, skiing, running and caving but is always keen to try something new. Her adventures have included rock climbing in Yosemite, Caving in Spain, rafting in Montenegro, Skiing in Bulgaria and America and walking the GR20.

Sharon studied Sociology, Geography and Art at A Level and completed a HND in Photography.

Qualifications:
Rock Climbing Instructor

Chris Carter Adventure Outreach Manager

Chris joined the Acclimbatize team in 2014.
He brought with him a wealth of experience in outdoor pursuits particularly in paddle sports, caving and mountain biking.
He also enjoys climbing and walking, taking any opportunity to get out in the mountains. He graduated from the University of Derby as a Geologist.

His fascination with rocks has taken him on a professional journey of work to Chad in central Africa and offshore in the North Sea before returning to the sediments of the Peak District to work as an outdoor instructor.

Chris has shared many Alpine and subterranean adventures with other members of the Acclimbatize team. These include trips in the UK and also in France, Spain, Mallorca and Norway either on mountain bikes, skis, in boats or boots.

Chris is also a key member of ‘WUKSART’  (Watersafe UK Search and Rescue Team) giving much of his time to help others or train junior members of the team.

Chris has responsibility for the equipment store and oversees the Water Sports side of the activities. He is a regular course coordinator and leads on many ‘Onsite’ activity programmes for schools and the Kings Trust programmes.

Qualifications:
Rock Climbing Instructor
Canoeing, Kayaking and Bell Boating (BCU level 2 Coach),
Vertical Cave & Mine Leader
Lowland Leader Award,
European Ropes Course Award (ERCA),
Powerboating (RYA Level 2 Instructor and RYA Safety Boat),
MIAS Level 2 (Mountain Bike Instructor)
Cycle Maintenance (CYTEC Level 2).

Canoe Leader (Aspirant)
Mountain Leader (Aspirant)

Neil Bentley

I am a passionate outdoor enthusiast and instructor. Climbing, cycling, mountain walking and surfing being my favourite activities.
I have climbed for 4 decades in Europe, US amd Australia. Highlights of my climbing include  the first ascent of Uk’s first E10 to attempting to free climb El Capitan.

I’ve worked on various TV and film productions including climbing stunt double for Matt Damon in Bourne Identity and keeping Johnny Depp safe during filming Charlie and the Chocolate factory!

I’m also proud of my 4 times competing in the National cycle hill climb champioships. I am a qualified instructor in climbing (RCDI) , caving (LCMLA), mountain walking/navigation (ML) and mountain bike trail (Cycling UK).

Chris Plant

Chris has been climbing for 40 years.  He started his mountaineering adventures with a local Scout group in Derbyshire. His adventures have taken him to the European Alps, Sierra Nevada in California and the Cascade Mountains in Washington State.

Chris is a qualified teacher with a specialism in SEND.
He has worked at Gordonstoun, the Swiss International School and more locally in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

He has led school expeditions to Bolivia, Russia and the Arctic.
Chris is a very active, long time member of the local Mountain Rescue Team

Billy Souter Primitive Living Skills instructor

Billy Souter is a Primitive Living Skills instructor based in Derbyshire teaching a variety of skills including hide tanning, primitive fire lighting, fibre craft, flint knapping, net making, primitive fishing techniques and bone work. He also works as a freelance instructor delivering courses for other Bushcraft companies around the UK.

After a couple years volunteering and gaining invaluable guidance from Dave Watson he has honed his craft for over a decade through extensive training and mentorship from renowned experts in the field including Patrick McGlinchey and Thijmen Apswoude. His experiences have taken him to Scandinavia, Europe, and North America, where he has developed a deep appreciation for the diverse aspects of Bushcraft and Primitive Living.

He believes that these skills offer a unique opportunity to connect with our ancestors and the natural world, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of their struggles and triumphs. Whether it’s creating an ember from friction or hand-stitching reindeer hides into a sleeping bag, these skills transport us back in time, mentally and spiritually, and offer a glimpse into the lives of those who came before us.

Chas Hall

Chas:
I got the Outdoor gene from my Dad (walking & Fishing), but my love of Caving, Climbing and the Mountains came from field trips at school. I’ve been lucky enough to climb and cave with some fantastic and talented people, throughout the UK, Europe and Asia, and feel blessed to still be having adventures some 50 years on.

Nothing brings me more pleasure than passing on my enthusiasm and knowledge to beginners, who I hope go on to get the same enjoyment as I continue to have in the great outdoors.

Nigel Berry

Nigel is a qualified teacher, and formerly the head of an outdoor education center (Shropshire LEA) over in North Wales.
Nigel has decades of experience training and assessing leaders for the National Governing Bodies. .

Where in the world hasn’t he been … we are still trying to ascertain this!!

40 years of the 3 C’s – Climbing, Canoeing, Caving. Still finding new adventures.
His enthusiasm is relentless.

Andy Spencer

Andy is a Qualified Teacher with a specialism in SEND.

Over 35 years of experience in delivering quality educational experiences  to a wide age range from KS1 to University students and beyond.

Andy has worked with Acclimbatize in a freelance capacity since its founding over 25 years ago. (1999)
Andy is qualified to a high standard in all the activities we offer – he’s probably forgotten more than most know.

Sheldon Talbot

Sheldon:
I started my career as technical rigger/roadie with NEC ltd and freelance, moved to France in 1997 as all round instructor for school groups/private clients and became river guide on the Ardeche in France.
In 2007 I moved to Hong Kong and led groups in China and Taiwan for Asia Pacific Adventure. Many clients being international school groups.

I eventually moved back to France as head of river/river guide/ canoe coaching whitewater and awards provider.
Overall 25 years experience in the outdoor industry. I provide Paddle UK Paddlesports Awards.

Sheldon is a Level 3 canoe coach and  Rock Climbing Instructor

Paul Weller

Paul is basically a human Swiss Army knife, especially if you need to tackle a mountain. He earned his Mountain Leader and Climbing Instructor credentials over 20 years ago, back when the only ‘social media’ was shouting across a valley.

After a distinguished Army career, he brought his expert skills to become an Acclimbatize Instructor. Paul’s current obsessions include climbing, mountain biking, and staying obscenely fit – a dedication that ensures he can keep up with even the youngest course attendees.

His secret weapon? An easy-going manner and super-flexible approach, which means even when things go sideways, Paul’s already chilling with a plan. This approach not only guarantees a fun, safe, and smoothly run course, but Paul is so relaxed, you’ll forget you’re even doing hard work.

Geoff Payne

Professional Summary

Mature, experienced and qualified outdoor professional with good people skills and positivity. Extensive leadership experience of working with groups of people in a wide variety of circumstances. Strong ethos for coaching, mentoring and supporting young people.

Key Skills

Energetic and motivational
Healthy lifestyle role model
Supportive and empathetic

Qualifications

UK Mountain Training – Rock climbing instructor
UK Mountain Training – Mountain Leader
16 Hour Outdoor First Aid Course
DoE Expedition Assessor and Supervisor
Mountain bike coaching (MBCUK) level 2
NSPCC Child Protection: An introduction (3.0)
Home office Prevent Awareness
Met office Mountain Weather
UK Mountain Training – Coaching foundation (in progress)

Work History

Freelance rock climbing instructor working with a wide variety of groups including young people (year 6 upwards), special educational needs, adults and corporate events. Familiar with various locations across the Peak District, other National Parks, and more locally in Leicestershire.

Geoff is our ‘Go to’ person for computer and digital problems .. his other work is in computing and we are very grateful to have him on the team!!

Leon Zablocki

Leon began his outdoor career in Llanberis in 1990.
An addiction to climbing and mountaineering was well established beforehand.
In 1990 he decided that North Wales would be the best place to be for the next 4 years .

The following years would see Leon travelling the world in his pursuit of climbing;  America Canada, Australia New Zealand and Thialand to name but a few.

Returning to UK Leon completed his WMCI and worked as a senior instructor at Edale YHA and Whitehall Centre Derbyshire, gaining qualifications in caving and canoeing.

To this day Leon is a keen climber caver ,surfer ,enjoys painting and playing the guitar badly!

Paul Batty

A qualified teacher, management trainer and outdoor instructor.
My whole career has been focused on creating memorable outdoor experiences, enabling people from all walks of life to learn, develop and have fun!

On a personal level I’m a keen skier and traveler with a passion for discovering new things and new places.

Daljit Bhogal

My name is Daljit and I am relatively new to the team as I build my outdoor education experience and skills.
My career history is in Banking and Finance, which is completely different to the world of outdoor education,  however I joined Acclimbatize a couple of years ago as a volunteer shortly after I became an Operational member of Derby Mountain Rescue.
Within MR I am a qualified Remote Rescue Medical Technician and a Swift Water Rescue technician.

I have a particular interest in helping children and adults build their outdoor skills in climbing, hiking and navigation and more recently have been involved in supporting scout groups and DOE Gold residential courses to help young adults excel in different environments.

Rick Asher

Rick’s passions are climbing snowy peaks and walking in wild places.
He has over 25 years experience of climbing and walking in the UK, particularly on his doorstep in the Derbyshire Peak District, his home country Scotland, and further afield in the Western Alps, Nepal, USA and North Africa.

Prior to working in the outdoors, Rick spent 10 globe trotting years in the Royal Marines serving in jungles, deserts and the arctic.

Further to this, he served 23 yrs with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service as an Operational shift manager.

Andy Payne

Andy studied Visual Communication at Derby University (BA) the completed his Masters at Central Saint Martins in Character Animation.

For 10 years Andy went to work for the BBC, the UN, and Ikea as an animator.
Throughout his career he has always worked in main stream schools supporting pupils with SEND using sports coaching to help integrate and regulate learners with emotional behavior.

Andy:
I’ve climbed since I could walk, following my dad up easy climbs in the Lakes, Peak and Wales all  in a homemade chest harness. We also ticked the Wainwrights off and I learnt not to run a false peak.

I like climbing in the Peak, especially on the Grit, I enjoy doing as many routes as possible in a day topped off with some sketchy slab.

I’m obsessed with Fontainebleau and have lived in the forest a couple of times. I climbed most days, this improved my climbing, my French however remained at tourist level!

I combined Trips to ‘Font’ with winter trips skiing and snowboarding, mainly looking for steep gullies to ride down. .

Ben Hodgson

Ben:
I have been working in the outdoors since 2017, many of them years abroad, working in Dubai, Greece, France and Vietnam.
I enjoy a variety of outdoor sports, such as rock climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking. But my passion is being on the water, canoeing or in my kayak dropping off waterfalls.
I wish to pass on as much knowledge as I can to allow others to have the experiences like I have.

Ben offers a variety of (water based) Nationally recognised training courses and assessment courses.

Tom Monck

Tom:
I began working in the outdoors in 1998 with a YTS apprenticeship at Dukes Barn Centre. This was where I met many of the other staff who now work as part of the Acclimbatize team.

Being very practically minded I have enjoyed garage work (automotive repairs) and breakdown recovery work with some time over the winters spent in civil engineering.

I have worked for a variety of outdoor education providers including LEA centers, sole traders, management training companies.

I took on a full time roll with Acclimbatize as an employee and share holder until covid struck.
During the pandemic, I undertook my HGV license and can sometimes be seen driving the dales in a variety of Lorrie’s.
I remain as stakeholder and key freelance instructor at Acclimbatize and big advocate for the core values of the company. (inclusion, accessibility, authenticity)

I enjoy all of the activities that we promote through the business and am often found in the mountains whether on a bike or two feet!

My two boys, an excited dog and (a project) an off grid house keep me busy when not working. I also volunteer with Watersafe UK Search and Rescue to provide flood relief and search and rescue capabilities when needed.

Dick Hargreaves

I have been a freelance instructor since 2023, following a successful career as a senior manager in a public sector role.

I have a love of all things outdoors and am an avid walker, mountaineer, skier, climber, canoeist and sea kayaker having been introduced to the hills by my parents from a very young age. I have walked, climbed and paddled across the UK as well as climbing and skiing widely across Europe. I have also trekked in the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan.

The outdoors have shaped my whole ethos on life and have enabled me to share my best experiences in life with family and friends. I am therefore privileged to now have the time to build on my outdoor instructor qualifications in hill craft, canoeing and climbing and to share my passion with others, and enable them to achieve their own potential in a different environment.

Poppy Godfrey

Poppy began climbing around age 9 at a local indoor wall facility. Prior to Covid Poppy was training and competing for a Sheffield squad in the BMC youth climbing series. She was making good progress in her category before the pandemic stopped events.

Poppy qualified as a Climbing Wall Instructor aged 18 but has a breadth of experience well above the requirements of the scheme. Outside Poppy has climbed on many local sport and traditional crags.  She has also climbed on UK Sea cliffs in the mountains of Wales and the Lake District.

Overseas her climbing has taken her to Kalymnos (Greece) and the Ardeche, Gorge du Tarn, Fontainebleau and Chamonix in France. She has recently returned from solo travel in Costa Rica.

Andrew Hutchison

Andrew’s previous career saw him flying around the globe advising and project managing. His role was supervising the building and improving of chemical production plants. (Singapore, Taiwan, America, France to name a few)
In the UK he was the site manager a chemical production facility.

Andrew is key member of the team. He helps co-ordinate and manage some of the bigger events, adds realistic value to our corporate events and is a ‘go to guy’ for business advice and operational solutions.

He has caved extensively throughout the UK and climbed in the UK and Europe. Drew has an affinity with nature and now spends much of his spare time bird watching in his favourite location in Norfolk.

Tracy Steare

Having worked in social care, the voluntary sector and being a foster carer, I knew that children and young people benefitted most from being outdoors. Years ago I started freelancing for Acclimbatize where they allow me to shoot arrows throw axes, do bush craft and generally enjoy myself. As the saying goes, if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.

Qualifications

NNEB
NVQ 3 caring  for children and young people
Diploma in counselling
Certificate in Buddhist ecotherapy
Archery Gb
Lowland leader + expedition module

Marc Bellingall

Marc’s love of the outdoors led him to take a geography degree at the University of Sheffield. From there he worked for the Field Studies Council as a geography and ecology tutor before becoming a teacher.
Marc has over 30 years of experience of working with young people in school settings including 15 years in senior leadership roles.

Marc has a passion for rock climbing, cycling, hiking and exploring and he has travelled and climbed throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America and Africa.

Closer to home is well known within the local climbing community for his first ascents of routes and boulders around the Matlock area. Marc volunteers as a BMC Access and Conservation representative for the local area, working with landowners, climbers and other stakeholders to maintain and develop responsible access to the outdoors.
He is also an active member of the Peak District Bolt Fund and gives time to help equip and maintain the safety of local climbing areas.

Qualifications

BSc Hons Geography
PGCE
Rock Climbing Instructor

Mathew Wharton-Lee

Matt spent his 20’s in London as a pianist for West End musicals such as Mamma Mia! and We Will Rock You before discovering his love of climbing and adventuring in his late 20s. Climbing soon became his obsession and he moved to Sheffield in 2019 to enjoy the many gritstone edges. He has climbed rock and ice all over the world including The Alps, Norway, Canada and Australia.

In more recent times he has also found a love of caving and enjoys time underground as much as above ground. He’s also a keen cyclist and runner. He’s particularly proud of his sub 3 hour marathon in York in 2019.

Working with young people is a passion for him. He splits his time between youth work, outdoor instructing and teaching piano in the evenings.