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/

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Gritty Giveaway! Enter before 11/11/26!
YouTubeNov 4, 2026
The Hardest Lesson in Bowhunting | Matt Clark
YouTubeNov 3, 2026
@WestonHoma | Western dream he couldn’t shake. Now he’s living it. He’d only ch…
YouTubeOct 27, 2026
He Left Everything Behind to Chase His Dream | Weston Homa
YouTubeOct 27, 2026
Carry Heavy Loads More Comfortably |Simplicity | Modularity #backcountryhunting…
YouTubeOct 22, 2026
Nate Illingsworth: What he went through on his first successful archery elk hun…
YouTubeOct 20, 2026
How Nate Illingworth Finally Found Success Hunting Elk
YouTubeOct 20, 2026
We’re in the thick of it! Grab the pack system for you!
YouTubeOct 19, 2026
Carry Heavy Loads More Comfortably | How do we do this?
YouTubeOct 18, 2026
Late Season Hunting Gear, Archery Lessons & a Backcountry Shelter Fail | Chris …
YouTubeOct 13, 2026
IAxTHEORY1 Pack System Breakdown Moose
YouTubeOct 12, 2026
Moose Packout
YouTubeOct 10, 2026
Elk Bugles, It is go time!
YouTubeOct 8, 2026
IA3K vs IA5K
YouTubeOct 6, 2026
7 Years of Bowhunting Led to THIS Bull | IDAHUNT
YouTubeOct 6, 2026
Spend More Time Hunting Than Looking for Elk | Mark Livesay
YouTubeSep 29, 2026
A story of persistence, patience, and continuing to show up. #muledeerhunting #…
YouTubeSep 8, 2026
He Chased This 193 Inch Mule Deer for Two Months: Brayden Staples
YouTubeSep 8, 2026
Labor Day Sale is Live! #backcountryhunting #initialascent
YouTubeSep 3, 2026
Elk Calling Tactics for Every Phase of the Rut | Dirk Durham
YouTubeSep 1, 2026
How Martin Chag Packs for a Backcountry Mule Deer Hunt
YouTubeAug 27, 2026
Backcountry Moose Breakdown & Pack out
YouTubeAug 26, 2026
This is what hunting is about. Teaching our kids why we do it and the right way…
YouTubeAug 19, 2026
How to Hunt Mature Mule Deer in Pressured Units | Martin Chag
YouTubeAug 18, 2026
Early season pack set up. Mule Deer and Antelope, spot and stalk. #backcountryh…
YouTubeAug 13, 2026
Chris Young’s Early-Season Mule Deer Pack Setup | Scout Pack Gear Breakdown
YouTubeAug 13, 2026
The Scout is used in many different scenarios. #scouting #texashunting #daypack
YouTubeAug 12, 2026
Years In The Making | An Archery Elk Film
YouTubeAug 9, 2026
YEARS IN THE MAKING | Archery Elk Film Dropping August 9th!
YouTubeAug 6, 2026
“Stop putting lipstick on a pig” #backcountryhunting #podcast
YouTubeAug 4, 2026
What Should You Actually Eat in the Backcountry? Kyle Kamp
YouTubeAug 4, 2026
What does it take to compete at the highest level?
YouTubeJul 28, 2026
Read (48)
The Weight You Carry: More Than Just Gear
Equipment
The Weight You Carry: More Than Just Gear

Sometimes the gear we choose speaks to a deeper commitment – a reminder of the responsibility we carry to provide, to persevere, and to face the challenges ahead. This week's gear review and a few thoughts on the load we all bear.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 019 days ago
The Grit Behind the Gear: Lessons from Dark Energy's Founder
Culture
The Grit Behind the Gear: Lessons from Dark Energy's Founder

Garrett Aida's journey to building Dark Energy, a company known for bombproof backcountry power systems, is a testament to the lessons learned through failure and relentless pursuit. This episode reveals the crossover between hunting, entrepreneurship, and the mental toughness forged in the mountains.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 020 days ago
Quick Cub Connections: Simplifying Pack Access on the Trail
Techniques
Quick Cub Connections: Simplifying Pack Access on the Trail

Sometimes the simplest modifications make the biggest difference on the trail. This quick tip streamlines your pack organization, and it’s a perfect example of how a little ingenuity can make your family’s adventure even smoother.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Adventurers
3 min
0 0 020 days ago
Packing for the Long Haul: The Sawtooth Duffel and the Rogue Adventurer's Kit
Equipment
Packing for the Long Haul: The Sawtooth Duffel and the Rogue Adventurer's Kit

Extended hunts, family road trips, or simply needing maximum gear capacity? The Initial Ascent Sawtooth Duffel might be the answer, and it’s a perfect complement to the Rogue Adventurer’s ethos of preparedness and intentionality.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Adventurers
3 min
0 0 020 days ago
The 40L Sawtooth Duffel: A Mobile Hunter's Perspective
Equipment
The 40L Sawtooth Duffel: A Mobile Hunter's Perspective

Brian Call's walkthrough of the Initial Ascent Sawtooth 40L duffel reveals a thoughtfully designed pack ideal for minimalist hunters and fast-moving western trips. We break down why this compact bag earns its place in the Rogue Hunter's kit.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 020 days ago
Bearadise: The Work After the Shot
Stories
Bearadise: The Work After the Shot

A new teaser from an upcoming film highlights the grit and reality of spring bear hunting in Idaho, reminding us that the true test begins after the trigger pull. It’s a testament to the enduring values of providing, perseverance, and facing the challenges head-on.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 020 days ago
The Myth of the Recovery Day: Why the Easy Path Is Killing Your Adaptive Capacity
Science
The Myth of the Recovery Day: Why the Easy Path Is Killing Your Adaptive Capacity

True strength isn't measured by how much you recover, but by how much you adapt. Stop treating discomfort as a temporary failure.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Movers
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Right Gear, The Right Call: Preparing for the Harvest Season
Techniques
The Right Gear, The Right Call: Preparing for the Harvest Season

As the season turns, the call of the hunt grows louder. Whether you're tackling public lands or joining a guided trip, preparation and purpose are everything.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
More Than a Tag: Finding the Edge in the Elk Hunt
Techniques
More Than a Tag: Finding the Edge in the Elk Hunt

True elk hunting success isn't about luck or a good draw; it's about the generational knowledge, mental toughness, and relentless discipline required to fill the tag.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Gathering: Finding Your Edge at the Hunt Fest
Culture
The Gathering: Finding Your Edge at the Hunt Fest

More than just a weekend of food and vendors, the annual Hunt Fest is a reminder of the deep community that sustains the craft of the hunt.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Organization Game: When Your Tool Kit Needs a Hidden Pocket
Equipment
The Organization Game: When Your Tool Kit Needs a Hidden Pocket

Even the best-built engine needs good organization. We broke down how to keep your essential bits and specialized tools accessible, whether you're doing an oil change or a full engine swap.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Gearheads
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
Efficiency in the Field: Making Every Pound Count When Packing Out
Equipment
Efficiency in the Field: Making Every Pound Count When Packing Out

When the haul is heavy, every piece of gear matters. Learn how to turn your pack-out system into a functional sit pad, saving weight and time on the mountain.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
Keeping the Build Dry: Protecting Your Investment from the Elements
Equipment
Keeping the Build Dry: Protecting Your Investment from the Elements

Whether you're tackling an LS swap or restoring a classic muscle car, keeping your tools and newly installed parts protected from moisture is non-negotiable.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Gearheads
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Buzz of the Expo: Where the Hunt Community Connects
Culture
The Buzz of the Expo: Where the Hunt Community Connects

The Western Hunt Expo is more than just gear; it's where the lineage of the hunt is renewed. Getting connected with guides and fellow hunters is half the battle.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
Beyond the Basics: Building Your Infrastructure to Withstand the Deplatforming Cycle
Business
Beyond the Basics: Building Your Infrastructure to Withstand the Deplatforming Cycle

Whether you're optimizing a sales funnel or protecting your assets, robust infrastructure is the single most valuable asset a founder can possess.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Business
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Silent Edge: Keeping Your Feet Dry and Ready for the Long Haul
Troubleshooting
The Silent Edge: Keeping Your Feet Dry and Ready for the Long Haul

Endurance isn't just about the deep woods; it's about the details. A quick routine for foot care can make the difference between a grueling day and a successful hunt.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
2 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Intelligence of Organization: Building Your Essential Electronics Kit for Exodus
Equipment
The Intelligence of Organization: Building Your Essential Electronics Kit for Exodus

As the days shorten and the signals grow louder, proper organization of your critical electronics kit is key to maintaining light, communication, and morale when the grid fails.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Preppers
3 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Gear Arrives: Equipping the Hunter for the Next Challenge
Equipment
The Gear Arrives: Equipping the Hunter for the Next Challenge

When the supplies ship out, it's a reminder that preparation is half the hunt. Stocking your kit properly means you're ready for anything the wilderness throws at you.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 03 months ago
The Kit of Provision: Gear for a Deep Country Bear Hunt
Equipment
The Kit of Provision: Gear for a Deep Country Bear Hunt

When the miles stack up and the season demands everything, the gear isn't just equipment—it's part of the mission. A deep dive into bear hunt preparedness.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
4 min
0 0 03 months ago
Small Tech Edge, Big Scouting Advantage: Perfecting the Trail Camera Setup
Techniques
Small Tech Edge, Big Scouting Advantage: Perfecting the Trail Camera Setup

Sometimes the best tech tip isn't a new rifle, but a simple trick to make sure your scouting efforts pay off when you're looking for that next elk pocket.

Initial Ascent
Initial Ascent
Rogue Hunters
3 min
0 0 03 months ago
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