The PMC Mountaineering Conditioning Program—known as MCon—is a structured, multi-month training series designed to help members build the strength, endurance, and mindset required for serious alpine objectives. It combines education, community, and progressively harder physical challenges to prepare participants for bigger mountain goals.
MCon typically runs for 12 weeks, with applications opening shortly after the New Year and the program kicking off in February or March. The season wraps up in late May or early June.
Throughout the program, participants take part in:
- Classroom sessions and workshops covering training methodology, mountain fitness, recovery, and nutrition.
- Progressive group hikes that steadily increase in mileage and elevation gain, helping participants build real-world endurance and confidence.
- Guest speaker presentations from world-class athletes and experts. Past speakers have included two AMGA Guides of the Year, Seven Summiters, the first American woman to summit all 14 of the 8,000-meter peaks, Evoke Endurance coaches, sports nutritionists, and club members
The program builds toward a final 2-day camping weekend, which serves as the capstone event. Over a 24-hour period, participants hike approximately 24 miles and gain around 7,500 feet of elevation, complete with an alpine start to simulate real expedition conditions. It’s a challenging and memorable finale designed to test the preparation developed over the course.
Past Participant Successes
MCon has had a lasting impact for many previous participants. Several alumni have credited the program and its supportive community with providing not just fitness and knowledge, but the inspiration and confidence to pursue objectives they never thought they could do.
For many, MCon served as the doorway to a much larger journey into the mountains. Alumni have gone on to successfully summit peaks such as Denali, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Rainier, The Matterhorn, Mt. Khuiten, The Grand Teton, Orizaba, and many other mountains around the world.
The program has become an important launch point for the PMC community—building long-term friendships, training partnerships, and a mindset that carries participants far beyond the Mid-Atlantic.
How to Participate
MCon is open to PATC-MS members and admission is by application. Interested participants should:
- Become a member of PATC-MS.
- Submit an application when the registration window opens (typically January).
- Be prepared to commit to the full duration of the program—including weekend hikes, classroom sessions, and the overnight final event.
If you’re looking to build toward major alpine goals—and want to train alongside a motivated and supportive community—MCon is one of the best places to start.
Questions? Contact mcon at pactms.org
Mountaineering Conditioning Videos
These videos were recorded during a series of zoom sessions that focused on training for mountaineering. They are restricted to PMC Members….if you want to see these, join the Club!
If you are a member but not logged in, to access these videos it’s best to reopen the PMC website before logging in….