Initial Ascent

Initial Ascent

@initialascentpacks

Carrying heavy loads in the backcountry is the most dreaded and painful aspect of the hunt. We’ve created a pack system that carries heavy loads more comfortably so you can have the hunting experience you deserve. We pride ourselves on the simple, lightweight and modular design of our Initial Ascent pack system. https://initialascent.com/pack-systems/

15
Posts
2
Sites
0
XP
0
IP
Movements
Rogue Hunters
Rogue Hunters
Member · since 2026
Gun Show
Member · since 2026
Rogue Adventurers
Rogue Adventurers
Member · since 2026
Find Me Everywhere
YouTube
Watch
“Stop putting lipstick on a pig” #backcountryhunting #podcast
What Should You Actually Eat in the Backcountry? Kyle Kamp
What does it take to compete at the highest level?
Chad Mendes: The Preparation Behind Greatness
Why Every Initial Ascent Pack System Needs a Pannier Load Carrier
Scouting mule deer to balancing family, preparation, and the discipline it takes to succeed.
How to Balance Hunting, Fatherhood, and Family
250+ Days a Year on the Mountain: Why I Choose the IA8K
How to Choose the Right Initial Ascent Hip Belt Size | Size Up or Down?
The most important accessory that we have.
Grizzly Charges, Plane Crashes & 300 Days in the Field | Dan Whitmus
Dan Whitmus spends close to 300 days in the mountains.
Read (15)
The Clean Water Loop: Keeping Your Indoor Oasis Thriving
Science
The Clean Water Loop: Keeping Your Indoor Oasis Thriving

From emergency backcountry filtration to maintaining a stable aquaponics loop, clean water is the foundation of every successful rogue grow.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Growers
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The Right Pack for the Long Haul: Carrying the Gear for the Mission
Equipment
The Right Pack for the Long Haul: Carrying the Gear for the Mission

Whether you're trekking deep into the backcountry or just spending a day glassing, having a modular pack system that adapts to your hunt is critical for a successful, safe, and sustainable trip.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
5 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The Last Cut: Taxidermist-Approved Techniques for Field Dressing a Black Bear
Techniques
The Last Cut: Taxidermist-Approved Techniques for Field Dressing a Black Bear

A bear harvest requires respect and precision. Learn the step-by-step, taxidermist-approved method for skinning a black bear, ensuring your hide and trophy are preserved for years to come.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
Carrying the Load: Choosing the Right Kit for the Backcountry Hunt
Equipment
Carrying the Load: Choosing the Right Kit for the Backcountry Hunt

Whether you're chasing elk in the Rockies or tracking deer through the deep woods, your pack system is the backbone of your operation.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
Carrying the Provision: Mastering the Art of the Bear Packout
Techniques
Carrying the Provision: Mastering the Art of the Bear Packout

When the hunt is done, the true test of fieldcraft begins: safely and efficiently removing a heavy, vital provision. We break down the process of packing out a bear.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
When the Hunt Goes Deep: Mastering the Expedition Pack
Equipment
When the Hunt Goes Deep: Mastering the Expedition Pack

For the 10+ day deep backcountry hunt, your pack isn't just storage—it's a system built for survival and self-sufficiency.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The Calculus of the Carry: Preparing for the Early Season Elk Hunt
Equipment
The Calculus of the Carry: Preparing for the Early Season Elk Hunt

A deep dive into the gear and discipline required for a multi-day, early-season rifle hunt, emphasizing self-reliance and preparation.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The First Rule of the Hunt: Water Sourcing and Fieldcraft
Techniques
The First Rule of the Hunt: Water Sourcing and Fieldcraft

Before you even spot the game, you need to know your water sources. Mastering backcountry hydrology is just as critical as tracking the elk or deer.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The Kit and the Call: Choosing the Right Pack for the Deep Backcountry Hunt
Equipment
The Kit and the Call: Choosing the Right Pack for the Deep Backcountry Hunt

Whether you're planning a quick glassing day or a multi-week expedition, having the right pack isn't a luxury—it's a necessity for true fair chase.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The Weight of Provision: Packing for the 5-Day Elk Hunt
Equipment
The Weight of Provision: Packing for the 5-Day Elk Hunt

A deep dive into the necessary gear for a serious backcountry elk hunt, focusing on pack weight, layered clothing, and the tools needed to provision a family after the chase.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 0about 2 hours ago
The Art of the Packout: Making the Last Mile of the Hunt Easier
Techniques
The Art of the Packout: Making the Last Mile of the Hunt Easier

The hunt isn't done when the animal falls. Mastering the packout—the process of safely and efficiently removing the meat—is a critical fieldcraft skill every hunter must master.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 020 days ago
The Science of the Grind: Carrying the Load to the Hunt
Equipment
The Science of the Grind: Carrying the Load to the Hunt

The backcountry demands gear that doesn't fail you. We break down what makes modern packs stable and comfortable, allowing you to focus on the chase, not the weight.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 020 days ago
Every Tool Has Its Place: Optimizing Your Load for the Deep Woods
Equipment
Every Tool Has Its Place: Optimizing Your Load for the Deep Woods

Whether you're tracking bighorn sheep or setting up camp after a long day of glassing, proper load management is key to a successful, safe hunt.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 021 days ago
Backcountry Kit Check: Preparing the Gear for Bear Season's Weight
Equipment
Backcountry Kit Check: Preparing the Gear for Bear Season's Weight

As spring bear season approaches, proper gear isn't just convenience—it's a matter of survival and preparedness. We break down the essential accessories for the deep backcountry.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 021 days ago
The Weight of Preparation: What Makes a Hunter's Essential Kit
Equipment
The Weight of Preparation: What Makes a Hunter's Essential Kit

From headlamps to diaphragms, the right gear isn't just carrying weight—it's carrying readiness for every scenario the backcountry throws at you.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 021 days ago
Subscribe

Get Initial Ascent's new posts as they publish — straight from the source.

RSS Feed