Camp Hale, Part 3: Episode 13

In Part 3 of our Camp Hale series, host Christian Beckwith explores America’s military mountaineering experiment during the pivotal winter of 1942–43. Following Second Lieutenant John McCown, the episode traces early training frustrations, the media frenzy that made the “mountain warriors” famous, and the disastrous Homestake Peak Maneuvers—an exercise so plagued by frostbite, blizzards, and failures it drew comparisons to Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow.

Interviews with Lance Blyth, David Little, and Sepp Scanlin provide behind-the-scenes insights into the Army’s evolving mountain experiment and its cultural ripple effects that would later shape America’s outdoor recreation boom.

Highlights include:

• The recruitment push led by Minnie Dole, John Jay, and Deborah Bankart

• The birth of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment

• Special missions, including the Columbia Icefield Expedition and Studebaker’s M29 Weasel

• Lessons from the Homestake Peak Maneuvers

Resources & Bonus Content: christianbeckwith.com

Sponsors:

• CiloGear: Premium alpine backpacks – cilogear.com (Code: rucksack).

• Snake River Brewing: Wyoming’s oldest and most award-winning craft brewery – snakeriverbrewing.com.

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Special thanks to our newest patrons: Dave Pagel, Li’l Boba, Bryan Dayton, Kyle Carr, Greg Staz, Mike Suhrbier, John Murdoh, Brian Alman, Dom Visconsi, John Andrews and Sam Harriman!