Founders' Bio

THE PIONEER TEAM

The GTR pioneer team has years of outdoor, running and adventure experience between them.

Jacques Mouton

Jacques is one of the Garden Routes most acclaimed runners (both on and off the road) with more than 30 years of running experience. You can be assured he has run somewhere you still want to, tested various products and gained experience most can only dream of.

Jacques is one of those individuals who has shown up for 22 consecutive Comrades Marathons fit and ready - and completed all of them with more than a handful being silver medals. That alone speaks volumes of his commitment. Now he will be sharing that knowledge with the Mountain Community of the Garden Route.

Zane Schmahl

As both Project Manager and Race Director of EcoBound events, Zane has been central to a range of trendsetting outdoor sporting events such as the Trans Baviaans 24-hour MTB Marathon, the George Mountain Ultra Trail and the TO HELL & BACK MTB Stage Race. He also regularly competes in adventure races all over the world. Zane has been local to the Garden Route for more than 15 years, with a family of three kids and his wife who are now also calling the Garden Route “home”.

Clare Mouton

Behind every successful man is a strong woman. This is not just a saying; it is the truth. Clare and Jacques love these Mountains (and each other) so much, they got married on the highest peak above George. Clare supports (and initially disapproves of) almost all of the crazy ideas that Jacques and Zane come up with. Clare is a Chartered Accountant and is heading up the administrative and financial side of things at MountCo. Her love for the outdoors equals that of the other two pioneers, with multiple achievements under her belt and the indistinguishable ambition to climb plenty more mountains.

 

MountCo strives to bring you the best gear, advice from our knowledge base along with some great adventures from the beautiful Garden Route. 

Each product available through our portal has our stamp of approval. Pop us a message for some gear, trail, training or just general outdoor mission advice. Join one of our monthly “Play Local” Adventures to soak up the vibe and trade some tips.

We are all about the Mountain and it’s People that roam the contours.