First Ever Spring Bear Hunt — And a Huge Lesson Learned

First Ever Spring Bear Hunt — And a Huge Lesson Learned

The opening day of spring bear in Idaho has always floated around April 15th. Last year, I got the call to join my brother Cody and our buddy Dennis for a hunt deep in the...
The Hunt Starts from the Ground Up: Picking the Right Boots

The Hunt Starts from the Ground Up: Picking the Right Boots

Every hunter needs many critical pieces of gear for a successful outing. Three essentials stand out above the rest for any western hunt: a reliable pack, quality optics, and a great pair of boots. While...
Simplicity: How to Swap Different Bags onto Your Frame

Simplicity: How to Swap Different Bags onto Your Frame

For backcountry hunters, efficiency and simplicity can make all the difference when you're far from home and deep in the wilderness. One of the standout features of our system is how straightforward it is to...
Pack Organization: Yes, Even YOU Can Get Organized!

Pack Organization: Yes, Even YOU Can Get Organized!

Staying organized on backcountry backpack hunts can be a challenge, as you need to carry all your gear and supplies on your back and keep everything accessible and easy to find. I have to admit,...
Zach Bowhay's Elk Pack Dump

Zach Bowhay's Elk Pack Dump

Before every elk season, I analyze my equipment and one of the things I do is go over all the things I have in my pack for elk hunting. Every year I pick it up...
Essential Gear - Initial Ascent

Essential Gear

By Ethan Pateman             Everyone has a piece of gear or an accessory that they won’t leave the house without. For most its boots, packs, bows, scopes, etc.  These pieces...
The Two Most Important Pieces of Gear - Initial Ascent

The Two Most Important Pieces of Gear

        Hunting, and especially backcountry hunting, requires us to rely on certain gear essentials in order to increase the odds of being successful. I'm talking 30,000 foot view gear, major stuff.  ...
Updated Essentials: Kill Kit - Initial Ascent

Updated Essentials: Kill Kit

Updated Essentials: Kill Kit   When I was a kid growing up in Florida, I was your typical country boy who loved to fish, hunt, and trap. Surprisingly, my parents never once took me camping...
It's Just Physics - Initial Ascent

It's Just Physics

What is the most common question we receive here at Initial Ascent?? What separates Initial Ascent Packs from ALL the other packs out there? Simple. Our frame and suspension is second to none and is...


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