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 extensive 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.
Available only to patrons, the Unabridged episode of Episode 9 features a 10-minute video overview of the ascent of Riva Ridge, as well as exclusive interviews that complement our story:
- Will Holland: The Life and Times of John McCown
- Doug Schmidt: The Experimental Ski Patrols of 1940-1941
- Sepp Scanlin: The Mountain Troops and The War Department
- Chris Juergens: The German Mountain Troops
Patrons also receive a transcription of the entire episode, illustrated with historic photos.
Patrons are the heart of Ninety-Pound Rucksack. Their support allows 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, they receive exclusive access to all Unabridged content.
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 9 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.
Military/Civilian Collaboration:
- The episode examines the unprecedented collaboration between the American Alpine Club, the Army’s Mountain and Winter Warfare Boards and the Office of the Quartermaster General
The American Alpine Club’s National Defense Committee:
- The episode unveils the inception and significance of the committee, which was formed in early 1941 to assist in “the determination and procurement of the special equipment and the clothing required for the Army’s mountain troops, and to aid in the obtaining of information concerning acceptable candidates for the 1st Battalion (Reinforced) 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment”
Key Figures:
- Bob Bates: Climbing background and role in the Research and Development Branch at the Office of the Quartermaster General
- Walter Wood: geographer; Vice President of The American Alpine Club, and Chair of its National Defense committee; expeditionary mountaineer
- Captain Albert Jackman (HQ 604TH FA): Chief Test Officer, Army’s Winter Warfare Board and Mountain and Winter Warfare Board
- Bill House: Climbing background and role in the Research and Development Branch at the Office of the Quartermaster General
- Bestor Robinson: attorney, Sierra Club board member; pioneering bigwall climber and ski mountaineer; Chair of the National Ski Association’s Advisory Committee on Equipment; member, American Alpine Club National Defence Commitee; member, Research and Development Branch at the Office of the Quartermaster General
- Dick Leonard: attorney, Sierra Club board member; pioneering bigwall climber and ski mountaineer; Chair of the National Ski Association’s Advisory Committee on Equipment; member, American Alpine Club National Defence Commitee; member, Research and Development Branch at the Office of the Quartermaster General
Mountaineering Expeditions:
- Detailed accounts of three historically significant expeditions mounted by American mountaineers to test equipment for the Army: the 1941 Wood Yukon Expedition; the 1941 Mt. Rainier Expedition; and the 1942 Alaskan Test Expedition to Mt. McKinley, as Denali was then called.
Acknowledgments and Support:
- The episode is made possible by our dedicated community of patrons
- Sponsors: CiloGear and The 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company
- Partners: 10th Mountain Division Foundation, Denver Public Library, The American Alpine Club, and the 10th Mountain Division Descendants
- Advisory Board: Lance Blythe, McKay Jenkins, Chris Juergens, Jeff Leich, David Little, Sepp Scanlin, Keli Schmid and Doug Schmidt
Support Ninety-Pound Rucksack:
- Consider supporting the podcast on Patreon to ensure the continued creation of high-quality content.