Mountaineering Conditioning Group
Started in 2023, M-Con is more than a training program - it's a community of mountain people dedicated to helping you achieve your alpine dreams!
At its core, M-Con is a fitness training program that includes classroom learning, training hikes, and expert speakers. The primary focus is on learning effective training habits to build foundational physical fitness for mountaineering. The approach is based on the Evoke Endurance and Uphill Athlete model of heart rate zone training. Participants learn the methodology basics from mentors who have successfully used this approach to summit numerous peaks.
Spanning 3 months from March to May, participation involves a substantial time commitment, the benefit of which is meeting like-minded people with alpine aspirations, learning about a variety of training topics, and building the foundational fitness skills for pursuing your mountaineering goals.
The program also includes supplemental sessions on various mountaineering-related topics that change from season to season. Topics may include nutrition, injury prevention, psychological preparedness, and more.
M-Con is not a technical ropes program and does not include skills such as crevasse rescue or cramponing technique. Technical mountaineering skills can be learned through PMC events such as Alpine Skills Weekend and the haul system course.
Open to any Potomac Mountain Club member, M-Con participants are selected through an application process that typically opens January or February. M-Con is ideal for aspiring, beginner, or intermediate mountaineers with a basic level of fitness. You do not need prior mountaineering experience to apply.