Ninety-Pound Rucksack

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Latest Episodes:

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 Hale
The psychological and physical challenges faced by recruits
The cultural impact of bringing America’s best skiers and climbers together in one place
The first steps toward institutionalizing mountaineering and outdoor skills within the military
John 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.

Camp Hale, Part 1: Episode 11 Sep 16, 2024

In Episode 11 of Ninety-Pound Rucksack, host Christian Beckwith explores the origins of Camp Hale, the high-altitude training ground where the mountain troops were transformed into the elite mountain warfare unit of the U.S. Army.

The episode covers the decision-making process behind the camp’s selection, the incredible logistical challenges of building it, and the impact Camp Hale's development had on both the 10th Mountain Division and the nearby town of Leadville.

Show Notes and Resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/camp-hale-part-1-episode-11/

Key Points:

Origins of Camp Hale: How the U.S. Army scouted, selected, and developed the high-altitude Pando Valley site to create a training ground for mountain warfare.
Key Figures: Brigadier General Harry Lewis Twaddle and Colonel Onslow Rolfe were instrumental in bringing Camp Hale to life.
Challenges of Construction: The environmental and logistical challenges involved in building a base for 15,000 soldiers and 5,000 mules at 9,200 feet in just seven months.
John McCown’s Story: The personal journey of John Andrew McCown II, a climber-turned-soldier, whose rise through the ranks paralleled the evolution of the 10th Mountain Division.
Leadville’s Origins & Relationship to Camp Hale: The rich history of Leadville, once a booming silver mining town, and how the proximity to Camp Hale redefined its role during WWII. The town’s "triple iniquities" (saloons, gambling, and prostitution) posed unique challenges for the military, leading to a strained yet interdependent relationship between the base and the community.

Featured Segments:

Opening Segment: Christian Beckwith introduces the episode and highlights the significance of Camp Hale in the 10th Mountain Division’s history.
Interview with Lance Blyth: Military historian and Ninety-Pound Rucksack advisory board member Lance Blyth discusses the requirements for selecting Camp Hale and the challenges involved in its development.
On the Ground: A vivid description of the construction process at Camp Hale, bringing to life the stories of the workers, engineers, and military personnel who made it happen.
Expert Insights: Ninety-Pound Rucksack Advisory Board members Sepp Scanlin and Chris Juergens provide context on the camp's construction and its impact on Leadville, Colorado, while Colorado ski mountaineering pioneer Lou Dawson describes the topography and climactic challenges of Camp Hale.
John McCown's Journey: A narrative that ties McCown’s personal climbing experiences to his role in the formation of the 10th Mountain Division.

Patron Support:

A special thank you to our community of patrons for making our research possible. Join us at www.patreon.com/NinetyPoundRucksack to support the show and access exclusive content.

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.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, please give us five stars on your podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends. Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.

The Old And The New: Episode 10 Jul 23, 2024

In Episode 10 of Ninety-Pound Rucksack, host Christian Beckwith explores how John McCown and his fellow citizen-soldiers overcame traditional military doctrine to prepare for mountain warfare—and in the process, reshaped the Old Army into one of the mightiest forces the world had ever known.

Show Notes and Resources: www.christianbeckwith.com

The episode includes interviews with Ninety-Pound Rucksack Advisory Board Members:

Lance R. Blyth: Command Historian of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM); Adjunct Professor of History at the United States Air Force Academy.
David Little: “living historian” for the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation.
Sepp Scanlin: military historian and museum professional; served as the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum’s Museum Director.

Key Points:

The draft and the enlistment of citizen soldiers changed the US Army from a rigid, authoritarian, all-volunteer institution into one of the mightiest forces the world had ever known.
The development of Officer Candidate School (OCS) created an industrial-style assembly line that produced junior leaders to lead the citizen army into combat.
The innovative Junior Officers’ Plan, which was developed to train officers for the mountain troops and then return them to the unit, preserved institutional knowledge critical to the mountain troops' ability to fight in cold weather and mountainous terrain.
A specialized division designed to fight in extreme conditions had to adapt the Army's standard flatland, warm-weather military strategies to mountain warfare.

Featured Segments:

A vivid recreation of a conversation between John McCown and his peers at Ft. Benning, Georgia, highlighting:
- their takeaways from Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union and the impact of winter on his army's defeat
- their frustrations with traditional Army tactics and its inability to recognize the importance of specialized training
- their resolve to embody the change they knew the mountain troops would need in order to fulfill its mandate
An overview of the Army's transformation from an all-volunteer force into one led by citizen-soldiers like John McCown.
Detailed analyses of Officer Candidate School, the Junior Officers Plan and the need for a purpose-built encampment for the mountain troops.

Patron Support:

A special thank you to our community of patrons for making our research possible. Join us at www.patreon.com/NinetyPoundRucksack to support the show and access exclusive content.

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 American 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: The mission of the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation 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.
American Alpine Club: Supporting climbers and preserving climbing history for over 120 years. Learn more at americanalpineclub.org.
The Denver Public Library: The Denver Public Library: 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: The 10th Mountain Division Descendants: 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.

Gear Heads, Part 2: Episode 09 Mar 25, 2024

Illuminating a pivotal moment in both military and outdoor recreation history, this groundbreaking episode reveals the collaborative efforts of America’s leading mountaineers to equip the 10th Mountain Division for war. Featuring original research and exclusive interviews, the episode details the audacious climbs and expeditions used to test the mountain troops' gear—and that revolutionized the American outdoor recreation industry in the process.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-episodes/gear-heads-part-2-episode-09/

Gear Heads, Part 1: Episode 08 Jan 12, 2024

Episode 8: Gear Heads, Part 1 is the first segment of our two-part mini-series that examines the equipment, clothing and food developed, at great expense, for the 10th Mountain Division. Not only did this development make the soldiers’ ability to train for cold-weather and mountain offensives like Riva Ridge possible; post-war, it catalyzed the explosive growth of America’s nascent outdoor recreation industry as well.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-episodes/gear-heads/

Bonus Episode: The 10th, Then and Now Jan 11, 2024

With this special bonus episode, the 10th Mountain Division’s commanding officer, Major General Greg Anderson, and its Command Sergeant Major Nema Mobar identify some of the lessons learned from the Division’s World War II inception and the relevance of those lessons to its efforts to rebuild its military mountaineering identity, culture and capacities.

What has changed between the original division and its contemporary counterpart, and what remains the same? What has the current division learned from its own history and how is it using those lessons to guide its rebuilding process? And how can America’s climbers and skiers, inspired by the service of our forebears, support the division as it strives to reconnect with its roots?

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-podcast/10th-mountain-division/

Mountain Intelligence: Episode 07 Oct 26, 2023

Featuring original and previously unpublished research, Episode 7 reveals the untold story of H. Adams Carter, the Harvard Five, and their groundbreaking efforts to make the 10th Mountain Division the best-trained, best-fed, best-equipped mountain unit in the world.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-episodes/mountain-intelligence-episode-07/

The Harvard Five—Carter, Bob Bates, Terry Moore, Charlie Houston and Bradford Washburn—were pioneers of American mountaineering during the 1930s. When World War II erupted, they harnessed their extensive expertise on the mountain troops’s behalf. The hub of their efforts was Carter’s intelligence work, which established the cornerstone of American mountain warfare doctrine.

Despite their pivotal roles in the 10th’s development, their contributions have remained hidden from the public eye—until now. Join us as we uncover the forgotten saga of these trailblazers and their profound impact on the foundations of American mountain warfare.

Available only to patrons, the Unabridged version of Episode 7 features the complete transcript of the episode, as well as bonus content for this and all other episodes.

To become a patron and unlock these and other perks, go to https://www.patreon.com/NinetyPoundRucksack

Please consider becoming a patron. Patrons allow us to pursue the show’s journalistic and educational objectives as we inform and inspire the public about the Division’s living legacy. In return, patrons receive access to all Unabridged episodes, including bonus content, supporting documentation, historic imagery and exclusive interviews.

Ninety Pounds of Rucksack: Episode 06 Jul 27, 2023

Episode 6 follows the mountain troops to Mount Rainier National Park where, in the middle of February 1942, they began their ski training at one of the best places a soldier could ever learn to ski—a place called, appropriately enough, Paradise.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-episodes/ninety-pounds-of-rucksack/

Available only to patrons, the Unabridged version of Episode 6 features the following exclusive interviews:

Bonus Episode 1: an interview with professional trainer and world-renowned alpinistSteve House on the training protocol put together for the mountain troops by The American Alpine Club
Bonus Episode 2: an interview with Kit DesLauriers, the first woman to ski the seven summits, on the regiment’s ski mountaineering training from the perspective of the modern ski mountaineer
Bonus Episode 3: The original recordings of the songs the 87th's Regimental Glee Club used to sing at Paradise Lodge on Mount Rainier, including the one that gave Ninety-Pound Rucksack our title

To become a patron and unlock these and other perks, go to https://www.patreon.com/NinetyPoundRucksack

Paradise: Episode 05 Jun 07, 2023

Episode 5 explores the pivotal period from late 1941 until early 1942 when the War Department activated the 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment, America’s very first test force for cold-weather and mountain warfare, and it prepared to train in Paradise Valley on the flanks of Mount Rainier.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-episodes/ninety-pounds-of-rucksack-episode-05/

The episode includes interviews with McKay Jenkins, the author of The Last Ridge: The Epic Story of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the Assault on Hitler’s Europe, and Lance Blyth, the Command Historian of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and an Adjunct Professor of History at the United States Air Force Academy.

Available only to patrons,the Unabridged version of Episode 5 features the complete interviews with Jenkins and Blyth, as well as historic photos, a transcript of the episode and a complete chronology of events leading up to the ski training that began in Paradise Valley in Mount Rainier National Park in February 1942.

Patrons are the heart of Ninety-Pound Rucksack. Their support allows us to pursue the show’s journalistic and educational objectives as we detail the Division’s living legacy. In return, patrons receive exclusive access to Unabridged content for all episodes.

If you haven’t already, please consider becoming a patron. Our goal with Ninety-Pound Rucksack is to inform and inspire the public about the Division’s living legacy. Patrons make that possible. In return, they receive access to all Unabridged content.

The Ski Patrols: Episode 04 Mar 23, 2023

Episode 4 takes a deep dive into the US Army's experimental ski patrols of 1940-1941, as well as the events that led to the activation of the 1st Battalion (Reinforced), 87th Mountain Infantry at Ft. Lewis, Washington—the unit that would eventually become the 10th Mountain Division.

The episode also explores John McCown's 1941 expedition to British Columbia's Coast Range, which he made before enlisting with the mountain troops, and features an interview with writer Will Holland, who has been working on a screenplay about McCown for over two decades.

For show notes and additional resources, including an overview of characters introduced in this episode, please visit our website.

For those who want more, an unabridged version of Episode 4 is available exclusively to our patrons. Please consider becoming a patron. By becoming a patron, you not only get access to all unabridged episodes, including historic photos and bonus content not available anywhere else; you allow us to pursue the show’s journalistic and educational objectives as we inform and inspire the public about the Division’s living legacy.

Thank you to our patrons for supporting the podcast and helping us to continue producing engaging and informative content.

The Drumbeats of War: Episode 03 Feb 04, 2023

The Drumbeats of War: Episode 3 explores the 10th Mountain Division’s backstory in the lead-up to America’s entry into World War II.

The episode includes abridged interviews with Chris Juergens, PhD, the Anschutz Curator of Military History at History Colorado, on the history of Germany’s mountain troops, and Sepp Scanlin, the former director of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum, on the resistance the idea of an American mountain division faced from within the War Department.

The episode also includes an overview of Minnie Dole’s Herculean efforts to establish a ski division, as well as the way world events—and America’s climbers—helped persuade military leaders that maybe we really did need a mountain division after all.

See here for show notes and resources.

Available only to patrons,the Unabridged episode of Episode 3 also includes:

Unabridged versions of both interviews
A complete chronology of events leading up to General George Marshall’s decision to conduct exploratory ski patrols in the winter of 1940-41.
A narrative account of the involvement of The American Alpine Club members H. Adams Carter, Bob Bates, Bill House, Walter Wood Jr. and Dr. James Grafton Rogers in the lobbying efforts for a mountain division.

The State of The Art Part 2: Episode 02 Part 2 Dec 22, 2022

Episode 2, Part 2 delivers a deep dive into the state of American and European climbing before the war, as well as how the rise of the Third Reich caused some of the best German and Austro-Hungarian mountaineers to emigrate, influencing climbing and skiing in America and contributing to 10th Mountain Division’s fighting skills.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-episodes/the-state-of-the-art-climbing-part-2/

The episode, which is told through the experiences of John Andrew McCown II, includes interviews with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard; Chris Jones, the author of Climbing in North America; and Howard Koch, a veteran of the 10th who learned to climb with fellow 10th soldier David Brower before the war, and who fought alongside John McCown on Italy’s Riva Ridge during it.

Please consider becoming a patron. Patrons allow us to pursue the show’s journalistic and educational objectives as we inform and inspire the public about the Division’s living legacy. In return, patrons receive access to all Unabridged episodes, including exclusive content, supporting documentation, historic imagery and unique interviews.

The State of the Art Part 1: Episode 02 Part 1 Nov 29, 2022

Episode 2, Part 1 provides a sweeping overview of the history of skiing in America as told through the experiences of one of the 10th Mountain Division’s greatest unsung heroes, John Andrew McCown II. Episode includes interview excerpts with Paul Petzoldt, the Teton climbing legend who would join the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale in 1942 and be put in charge of developing its mountain rescue system.

Episode also includes an extended interview with Dr. E. John B. Allen, professor emeritus of history at New Hampshire’s Plymouth State University and the author of numerous books, including From Skisport to Skiing: One Hundred Years of an American Sport, 1840–1940, on the evolution of skiing in America before the war.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-podcast/state-of-the-art-skiing-part-1/

Please consider becoming a patron. Patrons allow us to pursue the show's journalistic and educational objectives as we inform and inspire the public about the Division’s living legacy. In return, patrons receive access to all Unabridged episodes, including exclusive content, supporting documentation, historic imagery and unique interviews.

The Winter War: Episode 01 Oct 19, 2022

This episode explores how the 1939 Soviet invasion of Finland catalyzed the creation of the 10th Mountain Division… with a little help from the National Ski Patrol System, the United States Army, and a couple of twenty-something climbers from The American Alpine Club.

Show notes and resources: https://christianbeckwith.com/ninety-pound-rucksack-podcast/the-winter-war/

Ninety-Pound Rucksack Teaser Oct 11, 2022

Ninety-Pound Rucksack is a podcast about the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the dawn of outdoor recreation in America. Join host Christian Beckwith, former editor of The American Alpine Journal and founding editor of Alpinist Magazine, and an advisory board of the 10th Mountain Division’s foremost experts as we immerse ourselves in the living legacy of America’s original mountain warriors.

The Genesis of Ninety-Pound Rucksack Aug 29, 2022

In this episode, podcast host Christian Beckwith details how a search for the roots of Teton mountaineering led to a podcast (and book) about the US Army's 10th Mountain Division and the dawn of outdoor recreation in America.

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