Best Carry Heavy Loads More Comfortably Podcasts (2025)

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Become a Better Shooter: Rodger Holscher 1:17:37

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1d ago1:17:37

1:17:37

Got questions? Send us a text! Last week's episode's audio was the story part, btw. We apologize. In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Rodger Holscher—law enforcement officer, lifelong hunter, and one of the most dialed riflemen you'll ever meet. From growing up on a California cattle ranch to navigating high-stakes situat…

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Elk at 12 Yards, Bears in the Dark & No Spoon for 3 Days with Rodger Holscher 1:13:29

8d ago1:13:29

1:13:29

Got questions? Send us a text! Rodger Holscher is back in the studio—and this time, it’s not just tactics and gear talk. This is full-on story mode. From nearly bonking out after three days without a spoon to punching his tag on a bull at 12 yards, Rodger walks us through some of his most unforgettable backcountry hunts with Chris and the crew. Whe…

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Why Most Hunters Quit Early (And How to Push Through): Chris Young 44:03

15d ago44:03

44:03

Got questions? Send us a text! Welcome back to the Mountain Dude Podcast by Initial Ascent. In this solo episode, host Chris Young dives deep into the one factor that separates successful hunters from those who come home empty-handed: mental toughness. From chasing bugles deep in September elk country to grinding through long solo hunts, Chris shar…

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Training, Faith & 40+ Packouts a Year: "Hollywood" Dave Beronio 1:04:30

22d ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with “Hollywood” Dave Beronio, elite athlete, guide, packout machine, and wedding officiant with over 1,500 ceremonies under his belt. From the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe to hauling 50 animals a year off Utah’s peaks, Dave’s story is one of relentless drive and intentional living. He opens u…

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The E-scouting Guru and the Secrets to Elk Hunting Success: Mark Livesay 1:18:35

29d ago1:18:35

1:18:35

Got questions? Send us a text! On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunter…

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Elk Calling Tactics, Hunting Lessons, and Real-life Challenges: Cody McCarthy 1:17:07

1M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Cody McCarthy—elk caller, Slayer Calls pro, and man of faith—to hear his incredible journey from killing his first bull at 12 years old to becoming one of the most respected voices in the elk hunting world. Cody shares raw, emotional stories from his early…

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The Legend of The Bugler: Dirk Durham 1:32:28

1M ago1:32:28

1:32:28

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backcountry legend and one of the most respected elk callers in the game. From his stormy-night birth in rural Idaho to bowhunting elk for over three decades, Dirk walks us through the experiences that shaped h…

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Elk Every Year: Zach Bowhay’s Secrets to Long-Term Success in the West 1:00:44

2M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Got questions? Send us a text! Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational hunting knowledge to mental toughness, Zach shares the…

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Burning Beds, Backcountry Demons & Bowhunting Elk with Nate Illingsworth 1:04:51

2M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Got questions? Send us a text! In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from nearly burning down his house mid-romance to losing 80 pounds and tackling backcountry elk hunts head-on. Nate opens up about fitness, faith, mental resilience, and the power of doing hard things—all w…

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Gear Talk Pt 2: Clothing Systems & the Merino vs Synthetic Debate 1:15:42

2M ago1:15:42

1:15:42

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of Gear Talk, we go deep into clothing systems for backcountry hunting. From the hot debate of Merino wool vs synthetic base layers to how to layer effectively without overpacking, this is your ultimate breakdown of what to wear, when, and why. Whether you’re prepping for spring bear or late-season elk…

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Gear Talk Pt 1: Basecamp vs Backpack Hunting | Backcountry Nutrition, Gear Tips 1:13:36

2M ago1:13:36

1:13:36

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we dive deep into the backcountry, from the comfort of basecamp hunts to the grind of true backpack-style missions. We swap personal hunting stories, break down gear essentials like backcountry chairs, and talk about how to balance comfort and pack weight when you're miles deep. We also hit on one of …

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The Hollywood Cameraman: Clint Easley 1:04:35

3M ago1:04:35

1:04:35

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, a former architect to the stars turned full-time filmmaker and mountain hunter. From designing homes for Hollywood elites to filming in the remote wilds of Alaska, Clint’s story is one of bold transitions, relentless creativity, and a calling to something deeper. This co…

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Dan Whitmus Stabbed Himself in Alaska and SURVIVED! 1:01:49

3M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with legendary hunting guide Dan Whitmus, a man who’s lived over 30 years in the wilderness guiding hunters through Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, and the American West. Dan shares jaw-dropping stories, including surviving a self-inflicted knife wound deep in the bush, 300+ pound solo packou…

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They've Killed Over 20 wolves! Justin and Kate Small 1:09:31

3M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

Got questions? Send us a text! Justin and Kate Small, two of the best predator hunters on the planet, share their expertise on wolf hunting tactics that can make you a more effective hunter. • Kate's background includes nursing in Tanzania where she spent four months providing healthcare in poverty-stricken areas, including two months living with t…

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GIANT IDAHO BEARS with Chris Young 1:06:29

3M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, our host Chris Young shares the full story of his 2025 Idaho spring bear hunt. From rivers crossed with pack rafts to glassing for days in high mountain wind, this conversation captures the highs, lows, and lessons of a truly special backcountry experience. Along the way, Chris reflects on the power o…

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200" BUCKS AND LIGHTNING STRIKES 1:16:57

4M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, filmmaker and backcountry hunter Martin Chagnovich shares the story behind his film Chasing 200, which documents his years-long pursuit of a 200-inch mule deer buck in the rugged Utah mountains. The conversation explores Martin’s roots in hunting, growing up in a hunting f…

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Laying the Foundation: Welcome to the Mountain Dude Podcast 12:45

4M ago12:45

12:45

Got questions? Send us a text! In this kickoff episode, host Chris Young along with the Initial Ascent owners Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes gather around the table to set the stage for something bigger than gear talk or hunting stories (though you’ll get plenty of both). This podcast is about diving deep into faith, failure, triumph, and the relen…