About Dave Talbot
Dave Talbot is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, adventure events director and broadcast safety specialist who has worked in the outdoor industry since 2002. He founded Dave Talbot – Adventure Events to help people find adventure – and his events have helped charities raise more than £8.4 million.
Working across the UK and around the world – from charity abseils and climbing courses to Himalayan expeditions and TV shoots.
“Dave was excellent. He manages to combine an inspirational passion for climbing with very knowledgeable advice and instruction and an unerring eye for safety.”
Mr A Wheeler – Climbing course
Outdoors From the Very Start
Dave grew up in the small village of Tytherington, just north of Bristol, working on farms, riding mountain bikes and spending every spare moment outside. His family took him on ski trips from the age of seven, and from those first winters in the mountains he was hooked – snow, big peaks and adventure have been part of his life ever since.
He joined the Scouts, went on expeditions and camping trips around the UK, and raced motocross at a high level as a teenager – until a bad injury led him to rock climbing. At 18 he decided not to study architecture at university and followed his passion into the outdoor industry instead, starting with a Personal Development Certificate in the Outdoor Industry at City of Bristol College.
Skiing became his first career. He qualified as an Alpine ski instructor, a Swiss ski instructor and a British and Canadian ski race coach, and spent eight winters in the Alps teaching and guiding – plus four winter seasons in Scotland. Season by season he worked up through the mountain qualifications to become a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI), the highest climbing and mountaineering award in the UK.
Since then he has led expeditions from Morocco to the Himalaya, climbed and guided across the Alps, the USA, Canada and Africa, directed the Jaguar Land Rover event that launched the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, worked as technical and safety director on Touching the Void, and provided safety cover for film crews around the world. Clients have included the BBC, Channel 4, Boots, Suzuki, PwC, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover and superyacht companies.
Away from work, you’ll still find him outside – climbing, paragliding, mountaineering and skiing – and always working towards the next qualification. “For me, life is a journey,” he says. “It’s full of exciting challenges, and I want to keep embracing them – learning new skills and building experience along the way.”
Work That Stands Out
More of Dave’s film and brand work is on our adventure content and TV and film safety pages.
- BBC CoastPresenter and climberClimbed new routes on the chalk stacks of the Isle of Wight for the BBC series.
- Jaguar Land RoverGeneva Motor Show, 2014Directed the launch event.
- Touching the VoidBristol Old Vic to the West EndTechnical and safety director on the stage production and its tour.
- SuzukiTriglav north face, 2015A motorcycle expedition from the UK to Slovenia with BBC presenter Andy Torbet, self-filming the ascent of Triglav’s north face.
- MontaneMount Kenya and KilimanjaroA sponsored expedition filming on both mountains.
- Charity events£8.4 million+Abseils, challenges and expeditions that have helped charities raise more than £8.4 million.
A Life in the Mountains
Mountains and expeditions
8 winter seasons
Ski instructor and guide – plus four winter seasons in Scotland.
Mount Elbrus, 5,642 m
Climbed and skied the north face of Europe’s highest mountain.
Mount Kenya, 5,199 m
A speed ascent of Batian by the North Face Standard Route (IV+) – 10 hours up and down.
Lobuche 6,119 m · Kyajo Ri 6,186 m
Climbing expeditions in the Himalaya.
Eleven 4,000 m peaks in six days
Guiding clients in the High Atlas – and climbed and skied Toubkal, 4,167 m.
Weissmies, 4,017 m
Soloed from the valley floor, up and down, in 7 hours 14 minutes.
Kilimanjaro, 5,895 m
An expedition to the roof of Africa.
El Capitan, Yosemite
Climbed El Cap.
Rock and ice
E4 onsight · E6 headpoint
Trad climbing to E4 onsight and E6 headpoint, and sport climbing to F7b+.
Scottish grade VI · M8
Scottish winter climbing to grade VI, and has led M8 mixed.
Ice Climbing World Cup
Worked on the Ice Climbing World Cup for three years.
Alps to the Avon Gorge
New routes from the Alps to Pembroke and the Avon Gorge in Bristol.
Sea 2 Summit in 13 h 24 min
20 miles of running, 1,000 m of rock climbing, 2,500 m of ascent and a long ridge scramble.
Endurance
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
202 miles and 11,000 m of ascent in five and a half days.
Jurassic Coast, 110 km
Finished in 17 hours, in the top 20.
London to Paris, 12 times
Guided the ride 12 times – and the UK 3 Peaks Challenge by bike.
Up to 150 miles a day
Endurance rides including across Spain, plus many ultra-distance events.
Qualified to the Highest Standard
Over 30 qualifications and awards across mountains, rock, rope access, snow, air and water – so whatever the adventure, you’re in safe, experienced hands.
Mountaineering & climbing
- Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) – formerly the Mountain Instructor Award; full member of the AMI
- Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (WMCI) – trained
- Winter Mountain Leader (WML)
- Mountain Leader
- Single Pitch Award – summer rock climbing, now the Rock Climbing Instructor award
- Climbing Development Coach – Mountain Training coaching award
Rescue, rope access & safety
- Rope Rescue Technician – Rescue 3
- IRATA Level 1 – confined space trained and signed off for nuclear sites
- HSE Specialist in Working at Height
- Advanced mountain emergency medic and current first aid certificate
- Enhanced DBS check
- £10 million public and employers’ liability insurance
Snow & air
On and under the water
- RYA Day Skipper
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 – with tidal endorsement
- RYA Level 3
- BCU Level 2 Kayak Coach – now British Canoeing
- BCU Lifeguard
- PADI Advanced Diver
Leading groups & coaching
- Expedition Leader
- Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – accredited assessor
- Sports Coach – working with children (UK Coaching)
- Grand National Archery Leader – now Archery GB
- Personal Development Certificate in the Outdoor Industry – City of Bristol College
Bikes & motorbikes
- Mountain Bike Level 2 Instructor
- Motorcycle racing licence
- Full motorcycle licence
- Full car licence
Never just one guide. Dave works with a trusted team of 200+ highly qualified instructors and guides – so groups of every size get the same expert, safety-first care.
How I Work
Dave’s mission is simple: to bring people back to their adventurous selves and show them what they can achieve.
My best project
Working for the BBC on the Isle of Wight, I abseiled more than 100 metres into a chalk tunnel beneath the island that hadn’t been explored since the Second World War. My job was to find a way out – and I ended up making a film for the BBC about what I found.
My top tip
Get to know your backyard. Travelling the world climbing and skiing has been hugely rewarding, but most people forget how much there is to do in the UK. Pick up a map and head out exploring on your doorstep – you’ll be surprised.
Safe, not sanitised
There’s a fine line between learning new skills on an adventure and taking unnecessary risks. I always make sure everyone around me is safe, so you can relax, enjoy it and learn in amazing places.
Advice for life
A lot of instructors cut you off when the course finishes. If you need advice afterwards, or a good route recommendation, just ask – I want you to keep enjoying what you’ve learnt.
Always learning
I’m always working on new qualifications and professional development, and I’m keen to hear your feedback so I can keep improving.
The team
Dave works with some of the most experienced, qualified people in the industry – including Tom Shooter of More Adventure, who has led cycling holidays and charity challenges since 2010, and IFMGA mountain guide Kenton Cool, who has climbed Everest many times and completed the Seven Summits. Our instructors take great photos, teach you about the environment and keep the banter flowing. Behind them, we have more than 200 qualified outdoor professionals on our books, in every part of the country, ready to make your event happen.
“If you want it, you’ve got to go and get it. Challenge yourself.”
What Our Groups Say
“Dave was excellent. He manages to combine an inspirational passion for climbing with very knowledgeable advice and instruction and an unerring eye for safety.”
Mr A WheelerClimbing course
“Dave understood exactly what our objectives of the day were, excellent value for money. Dave was the most professional, and clearly knew his stuff. I’d definitely look to Dave for guiding in the Alps, Scotland, Wales or elsewhere.”
W. PortalGuided day
“I will happily tell all my friends that it is one of the best things I have ever had the good fortune to do.”
Mr M DraperAdventure with Dave
“It has been an amazing experience. A gigantic sincere thank you to Dave for his care, effort and lovely sense of humour! He made us really happy.”
Ms V GiudiciAdventure with Dave
“The feedback from all was what a professional and warm-hearted company you are, and even the very fearful felt safe and cared for and thanked you for your patience and reassurance.”
Mrs R DoltonCharity abseil
“It would be an understatement to say the Abberley Hall Clock Tower Abseil event exceeded my expectations.”
Mr J GittinsAbberley Hall abseil
“The quality of instruction was actually more than excellent! I learned loads of things that were very empowering and challenging, while always feeling very safe and in a friendly atmosphere.”
Ms L HoudClimbing day
“The best rock climbing instruction I’ve ever had. Extremely clear and engaging.”
Mr P ThompsonRock climbing
“Dave and his team hosted Noah’s Ark Charity Dangle event from Newport Transporter Bridge and we couldn’t have picked a better team of instructors to help us.”
Noah’s Ark CharityCharity event
Dave on Film
Mount Kenya – Batian, 5,199 m
Dave’s Adventures in Pictures
What We Do
Rock Climbing Courses
Private courses and guiding, from first climbs to multi-pitch.
Brecon Beacons 10 Peak
Pen y Fan and nine more summits – our most popular team challenge.
Charity Abseils
Fundraising abseils from landmarks across the UK.
Bespoke Challenges
Your own team challenge or adventure event, designed from scratch.
Trail Running Events
Our trail races in the Malverns and the Forest of Dean.
TV and Film Safety
Rope access, rigging and safety cover for shoots.
See all our adventure events and mountain guiding.
About Dave
Ask Dave About Your Adventure
Whether it’s a course, a challenge or an event, Dave is happy to give free advice. Tell him what you have in mind and he’ll come back to you – usually within one working day.