The Team

Director -  Michael Whelan

Michael is an international mountaineer and expedition leader with 25

years experience of climbing major peaks on 4 continents.

Having lived and worked abroad for many years (Africa, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and UK),

Michael returned to Ireland in 1997. Since then he has been an active member of the

Comeragh Mountaineering Club where he regularly led groups. and served two terms as PRO. In 2005 Michael featured on

Rte’s Nationwide when he led his 9 year old daughter to the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland.

He also featured on Mooney Goes Wild Rte Radio 1. In Feb 2008 (Pre Expedition Training and Camp Craft, in the Comeragh mountains}

Along with his vast mountaineering experience, Michael also successfully completed his

formal training in Mountain Skills and Level 3 Rescue and Emergency Care.

The concept of MountainZone came during Michael’s first trip to Iran, where he experienced the benefits of a similar service

Some of our past expeditions include:

Sep 2009, Mt Ararat, Turkey/Iran  5165m August 2008, Mont Blanc, Italy / France 4,810m July 2007  Matterhorn via Hornli ridge to 4200m July 2006 First Irish ascent.North Face Mt Damavand Iran, 5671m Jan 2005 Aconcagua,Argentina Polish Glacier Traverse to 6800m

Chief Facilitator - Eric Whelan
Eric graduated from GMIT in 2003 with a degree in Outdoor Education and Business Studies.  Since graduating Eric has gone on to acquire an impressive list of technical qualifications in advanced mountaineering skills that include

Mountain Skills Club Trainer, Mountaineering Council of Ireland Winter Mountain Leader, Scottish Mountain Training Board Summer Mountain Leader, Bord Oiliuint Sleibhe, Single Pitch Award, Irish Mountain Training Board. REC 3 First Aid, Rescue and Emergency Care VHF radio licence, Commission for Communications Regulations

Eric has climbed in North Africa, Mainland Europe and Scotland.  He is currently completing his Mountain Instructor Award.