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Mountain & Cold Weather Company

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Northfield, VT
Mountain & Cold Weather Company

Founded in 1947, the mission of the Mountain and Cold Weather Company is to train and develop Norwich Cadets in the skills of military mountaineering. Leslie J.

History
“Climb to conquer” was the motto of the MCW platoon founded in 1947 by Sgt. Hurley, a mountaineer and a member of the famed 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Hurley recognized the uniqueness of Norwich University’s location among mountains with severe winter temperatures as well as its mission to train cadets to be officers in the Army. Realizing the need for officers with experi

ence in mountain warfare, Hurley and the Army started the MCW platoon at Norwich. Skills taught to these students included skiing, snowshoeing, wilderness survival, first aid, climbing and mountaineering, day and night land navigation and cold-weather injuries. MCW today
The Mountain Cold Weather Company trains four times a week. Two days of training are designed to teach first year candidates, known as Green Sticks, the basics of mountain warfare and cold weather survival. The other two days of training are devoted to the further development of mountaineering skills for second, third and fourth year Black Hats. The first year training consists of two phases each culminating with a specific event. The first phase is KAP week, a week of rigorous physical training in remembrance of two former members who were killed in combat, meant to challenge the incoming Green Stick mentally and physically. At the end of this phase, the Green Sticks earn their MCW patch. After completion of Survival Weekend and receiving a minimum score of 250 on an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the Green Stick will earn a patch to be worn on the jacket of the Class B Cadet Uniform. The final phases commences at the end of second semester with Black Hat testing. Black Hat testing is two weeks long, consisting of a written test, a ruck march, a PT test, and hands on testing of everything the Green Stick has learned. After completion of Black Hat testing and a minimum APFT, the Green Stick is issued and recognized as a Black Hat. Each year offers more opportunities to further advanced and develop a Black Hat's mountaineering as well as leadership and management skills.

05/03/2026

On 23 April, MCW hosted its annual change of command ceremony and gave out awards to one cadet from each class. Congratulations to the new graduates and officers who are leaving the company. Climb to Conquer!

04/20/2026

Blackhat/Ram FTX 🏔️🐏

From 10-12 April, MCW Blackhats, Greensticks, and Level II candidates conducted their final FTX of the year, demonstrating medical, technical, tactical, physical, and teamwork skills.

Over the course of the weekend, 17 Greensticks proved they had what it takes to earn their Blackhats while 7 Candidates earned their Ram’s Heads.

Congratulations to the outgoing senior class for completing their last MCW FTX.

Climb to Conquer!

03/07/2026

CDT Vitelli has the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon and is looking to raise more money. Please consider donating to support him!

Link to donate is below:
https://givebutter.com/GoLuca

02/11/2026

Congratulations to our team of nine CDTs who competed in the 10th Mountain Division D-Series Competition and earned 1st Place overall.

Over three days, cadets were tested across a wide range of tactical and physical events:

Day 1:
Akhio CASEVAC, one-rope bridge, ASIP radio & SPOTREP, and weapons disassembly/reassembly.

Day 2:
Biathlon, Call for Fire, and Prone & Standing M4 range.

Day 3:
Knots, cliff face climb/rappel, and a relay swim.

This competition demanded technical proficiency, endurance, teamwork, and composure under pressure. Our cadets rose to the standard and set it.

02/07/2026

MCW cadets continue to challenge themselves to train in harsh conditions to build discipline, endurance, and leadership.

Cadets had the opportunity to participate in the Canadian Royal Military College Saint-Jean FTX, operating in an extreme cold-weather environment. Throughout this FTX, cadets built and lived in Arctic bivy sites, trained in cold weather survival under the Canadian Rangers, conducted snowshoe and Nordic ski movements, and completed a cold plunge across multiple days.

01/20/2026

MCW Cadets stayed busy over Winter Break taking on challenges throughout.

CDTs Houldsworth and Hamilton summited the Front Peak of Jade Mountain, located in Taiwan, the highest mountain in East Asia.

CDTs Driscoll, Hobin, and Borthwick completed the Norwegian Ruck March, a 30km ruck march with 24lbs.

CDTs Hobin, Carniglia, Borthwick, and Driscoll summited Mt. Marcy, the highest peak in New York.

01/19/2026

Over Winter Break, MCW cadets went on the annual Ice Trek and summited Mt. Washington.

Throughout the trip, cadets learned and practiced new ice climbing techniques, refined movement and protection skills, and gained hands-on experience operating in an alpine environment.

A huge thank you to our guides for their expertise, patience, and professionalism. We had an incredible time learning from you and look forward to working together again in the future.

12/04/2025

Congratulations to our Army MS4 Cadets who received their branches today.

CDT Sham - Field Artillery
CDT Ojeyomi - Military Intelligence
CDT Postell - Military Intelligence, Detail Infantry-ADSO
CDT Barber - Military Intelligence, Detail Infantry
CDT James - Aviation
CDT Frazier - Armor-ADSO
CDT Bickford - Signal, Detail Infantry

11/21/2025

Huge congratulations to Kel Rossiter on receiving AMGA Guide of the Year! Kel has brought unmatched dedication, skill, and heart to MCW. From technical mastery to mentorship in the harshest conditions, he has elevated every trip and every cadet.

Thank you, Kel, for everything you do for us. We’re proud to have worked, and continue working with you.

11/18/2025

On Nov 4th and 6th, MCW participated in the SGT Adam Kennedy and CPT Anthony Palermo memorial workouts during KAP Week to honor their ultimate sacrifices.

10/13/2025

Congrats to the MCW cadets who completed the Painemeister this past weekend. There were three different distances, 26.2 miles (12 laps), 50 miles (24 laps), and 100 miles (48 laps).

Cadets Congdon, McDermott, and Wortkoetter completed 12 laps.
Cadets Menser and Barber completed 24 laps.
Cadets Vitelli and Feinberg completed 48 laps.

Address

158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT
05663

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