About Peak Mountain Training

Quality training based on experience

It's fairly simple really. There are three of us - Neil Johnson, James Thacker and Dave Hollinger. In 2008 we had a chance to combine our knowledge, expertise and love of the mountains to create Peak Mountain Training. Our shared goal is to provide high quality mountain training based on real mountain experience - and real training experience.

In addition to our own programme of skills development and consultancy, we have been approved by Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE) to deliver their full range of training and assessment courses - widely regarded as the industry standards in the UK. This means we provide training and assessment courses for the Climbing Wall Award (CWA); Single Pitch Award (SPA); Summer Mountain Leader Award (ML) and Walking Group Leader Award (WGL).

So why us?

Peak Mountain Training may be a new concept but each of us comes with a proven track record in mountain training (see our profiles below). We have all gained a broad cross section of work experience throughout the walking, climbing and mountaineering industry (both voluntary and professional) and continue to be involved in many and most areas of mountain training in the UK such as the National Centres; Local Education Authorities; Voluntary Sector; Independent work; Mountain Rescue etc. Our depth of experience also sees us operating at all levels of mountain training in the UK. Whether it's with those taking their first steps into mountain or leadership skills or those gaining additional training or ongoing development at the highest level we have current, relevant and direct training and assessment experience. As a result we feel we are well placed to understand, communicate, and deliver effective training whatever the level you operate at.

Similarly, as hugely experienced mountaineers, instructors and guides ourselves you can be assured you are accessing a wealth and depth of real experience. Real experience allows us to give you open, honest and realistic answers to the many questions that the dynamic mountain environments create.

Finally, because it's just us. Although we may occasionally use additional staff, we promise that you will spend time on the hills or crags with one of the three of us - after all, it's our own personal skills and expertise that make Peak Mountain Training unique.

Dave Hollinger

Dave Hollinger has spent the last ten years working full time as a mountaineering instructor throughout the UK. During this time he has worked both independently and for many well regarded organisations, including the national centres Glenmore Lodge and Plas Y Brenin. Having qualified as a full IFMGA Mountain Guide in 2008, Dave now enjoys an impressive diversity of work in both the UK and abroad. He is currently involved with the development and delivery of mountain training modules at the University of Derby, the delivery of the "Winter Essentials" safety lectures on behalf of the BMC, as well as offering his own individually tailored instruction and guiding.

Neil Johnson

Neil Johnson has been at the forefront of mountain training for the last fifteen years, delivering many courses from the Single Pitch Award right through to the Mountain Instructor Certificate. He was, up until recently, a familiar face at the national mountain centre; Plas Y Brenin before leaving to start Peak MT and fulfil his guiding and climbing ambitions abroad. Neil has been heavily involved with the development of the UK awards structure having spent some time developing the Walking Group Leader and Climbing Wall Award schemes as well as delivering the FUNdamentals scheme for the British Mountaineering Council. Dedicated to the cause, Neil has also found the time to amass some impressive ascents including summiting Cerro Torre in Patagonia.

James Thacker

James Thacker has a background in Outdoor Education having worked, in part, for Derbyshire County Council's Local Education Authority Centre (White Hall OEC) alongside running his own successful mountaineering company for a number of years. He now splits his time between private climbing and mountaineering instruction and the delivery of national governing body awards.