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Ninety-Pound Rucksack

Ninety-Pound Rucksack

Written by: Christian Beckwith
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About this listen

 Ninety-Pound Rucksack is a podcast about the US Army's legendary 10th Mountain Division, a gritty unit of World War II climbers and skiers who trained for more than two years in the Colorado Rockies (often wearing ninety-pound "rucksacks," or backpacks) to fight the Axis powers in extreme cold and mountainous terrain. Not only did the Division's insertion into the war help end Germany's occupation of Italy; post-war, its veterans founded and developed ski areas across America, started companies like NOLS and Nike and launched the fields of avalanche science and wilderness rescue. Equal parts real-time research, intimate conversation and revelatory journalism, Ninety-Pound Rucksack explores not only the stories that made the unit famous, but also the transformative power of the mountains to forge a collective identity among the mountain troops—and to ignite a passion for the outdoors that reshaped American society in the process.2022 Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Camp Hale, Part 4: Episode 14

    Camp Hale, Part 4: Episode 14
    Nov 3 2025

    Featuring all-original research, this revelatory episode reveals how David Brower helped revolutionize American climbing from within the ranks of the 10th Mountain Division.

    The story also examines the extraordinary new recruits who made up the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment and the parallel development of the 10th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop and the Mountain Training Group.

    Highlights include:
    • David Brower's Rock Climbing chapter and its influence on military and civilian climbing
    • The influx of the remarkable new soldiers of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment
    • The evolution of the 10th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop and Mountain Training Group
    • How the Camp Hale experiment helped shape postwar American outdoor culture

    Resources & Bonus Content: christianbeckwith.com

    Sponsors:

    • CiloGear: Premium alpine backpacks – cilogear.com (Code: rucksack)
    • DPS Skis: Designing the world's most advanced skis - dpsskis.com
    • Snake River Brewing: Wyoming's oldest and America's most award-winning small craft brewery – snakeriverbrewing.com

    Support Ninety-Pound Rucksack on Patreon for early access, bonus interviews, and illustrated transcripts.

    Special thanks to our newest patrons: Jerry Laverty, Kenneth Brooks, Carter Hatton, Mark Wharton, Eric Corbett, Nairb Lenz, Sydney Palmer, Dan Burgette, Dave Rhodes, Andrew Wilhelm, Neil Gallensky, Paul Kuenn, Chad Horne and Justin Colquhoun.
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Camp Hale, Part 3: Episode 13

    Camp Hale, Part 3: Episode 13
    Jul 25 2025

    In Part 3 of our Camp Hale series, host Christian Beckwith explores America's military mountaineering experiment during the pivotal winter of 1942–43. Following Second Lieutenant John McCown, the episode traces early training frustrations, the media frenzy that made the "mountain warriors" famous, and the disastrous Homestake Peak Maneuvers—an exercise so plagued by frostbite, blizzards, and failures it drew comparisons to Napoleon's retreat from Moscow.

    Interviews with Lance Blyth, David Little, and Sepp Scanlin provide behind-the-scenes insights into the Army's evolving mountain experiment and its cultural ripple effects that would later shape America's outdoor recreation boom.

    Highlights include:

    • The recruitment push led by Minnie Dole, John Jay, and Deborah Bankart

    • The birth of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment

    • Special missions, including the Columbia Icefield Expedition and Studebaker's M29 Weasel

    • Lessons from the Homestake Peak Maneuvers

    Resources & Bonus Content: christianbeckwith.com

    Sponsors:

    • CiloGear: Premium alpine backpacks – cilogear.com (Code: rucksack).

    • Snake River Brewing: Wyoming's oldest and most award-winning craft brewery – snakeriverbrewing.com.

    Support the show on Patreon for early access, bonus interviews, and illustrated transcripts.

    Special thanks to our newest patrons: Dave Pagel, Li'l Boba, Bryan Dayton, Kyle Carr, Greg Staz, Mike Suhrbier, John Murdoh, Brian Alman, Dom Visconsi, John Andrews and Sam Harriman!
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • Camp Hale, Part 2: Episode 12

    Camp Hale, Part 2: Episode 12
    Jan 27 2025
    In Part 2 of our deep dive into Camp Hale, host Christian Beckwith explores the rocky beginnings of the mountain troops' high-altitude military encampment. From the soldiers' grueling acclimatization to the challenges of uniting skiers, mountaineers, and draftees under the harshest of conditions, Episode 12 uncovers the untold stories of struggle, frustration and resilience that emerged from the smog-filled valley. We also rejoin John McCown as he embarks on his first journey to Camp Hale, witnessing the stark contrasts among the soldiers who would form the nucleus of this iconic unit. Through McCown's eyes, we experience the Army's struggles to adapt traditional flatland tactics to the demands of mountain warfare and the creation of protocols that would go on to revolutionize skiing, mountaineering, and wilderness travel after the war. Show Notes and Resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/camp-hale-part-2-episode-12/ In This Episode: The Army's ambitious yet chaotic vision for Camp HaleThe psychological and physical challenges faced by recruitsThe cultural impact of bringing America's best skiers and climbers together in one placeThe first steps toward institutionalizing mountaineering and outdoor skills within the militaryJohn McCown's reflections on leading a diverse group of soldiers, from seasoned mountaineers to young draftees from the south who would comprise the heart of the unit Sponsorship Acknowledgments: CiloGear: Makers of the finest alpine backpacks. Visit cilogear.com and use code "rucksack" for a 5% discount and a matching donation to the 10th Mountain Alpine Club.Snake River Brewing: Wyoming's oldest and America's most award-winning small craft brewery. Discover their beers at snakeriverbrewing.com. Partnership Acknowledgments: The 10th Mountain Division Foundation's mission is to honor and perpetuate the legacy of the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division past, present, and future by doing good works that exemplify the ideals by which they lived. The Denver Public Library's 10th Mountain Division Resource Center is the official repository for all records and artifacts related to the World War II-era 10th Mountain Division.The 10th Mountain Division Descendants, Inc. exists to preserve and enhance the legacy of the WWII 10th Mountain Division and 10th Mountain Division (LI) for future generations.The 10th Mountain Alpine Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing alpinism in the 10th Mountain Division community. Support the Show:Become a patron at christianbeckwith.com to access exclusive content and help keep this project alive. Special thanks to our newest patrons: Nelson F., Chris Johnson, Clay Kennedy, and more! Join the Ninety-Pound Rucksack Challenge:Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the 10th's historic Riva Ridge ascent by participating in the 2025 Challenge on February 18th, 2025. Ski areas across the country are hosting events—find one near you or join independently. Details at christianbeckwith.com. Merch Alert:Show your support with official Ninety-Pound Rucksack caps, mugs, and t-shirts—available now on our website! Advisory Board:Thank you to Lance Blythe, McKay Jenkins, Chris Juergens, Jeff Leich, David Little, Sepp Scanlin, Keli Schmid, and Doug Schmidt for their invaluable expertise.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
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