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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.
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:
Sponsorship Acknowledgments:
Partnership Acknowledgments:
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.
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:
Sponsorship Acknowledgments:
Partnership Acknowledgments:
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.
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:
Key Points:
Featured Segments:
Patron Support:
Sponsorship Acknowledgments:
Partnership Acknowledgments:
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/
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/
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/
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.
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:
To become a patron and unlock these and other perks, go to https://www.patreon.com/NinetyPoundRucksack
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.
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.
Amanda is a wife. A mother. A blogger. A Christian.
A charming, beautiful, bubbly, young woman who lives life to the fullest.
But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.
She starts a blog detailing her cancer journey, and becomes an inspiration, touching and
captivating her local community as well as followers all over the world.
Until one day investigative producer Nancy gets an anonymous tip telling her to look at Amanda’s
blog, setting Nancy on an unimaginable road to uncover Amanda’s secret.
Award winning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but
all-too-real tale, of a woman from San Jose, California whose secret ripped a family apart and
left a community in shock.
Scamanda is the true story of a woman whose own words held the key to her secret.
New episodes every Monday.
Follow Scamanda on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Amanda’s blog posts are read by actor Kendall Horn.
