From the wind-scoured ridgelines of the Apennines to the summit of Mount Everest, the worlds of mountaineering and military service have long been intertwined. Both demand endurance, risk management, and technical skill. Both forge teamwork in the face of hardship. And throughout the last century, both have influenced each other through gear design, training methodology, and a shared respect for precision in unforgiving terrain.

This Memorial Day, we’re taking a closer look at how this connection shaped the modern outdoor industry, how military innovations continue to show up in civilian mountaineering gear, and how climbers have carried the discipline of military service into the mountains.

The 10th Mountain Division: Where the Modern Bond Was Forged

The most iconic link between mountaineering and the U.S. military is the 10th Mountain Division. Formed in 1943 during World War II, the 10th was built around a simple but specialized need: soldiers who could fight in the mountains.

Recruited from skiers, climbers, and outdoorsmen across the country, these troops trained at high elevation in Colorado’s Camp Hale. Their program included rock climbing, avalanche rescue, skiing, cold-weather survival, and mobility over complex terrain. Many had ties to the American Alpine Club, and a number had already summited major peaks before ever donning a uniform.

Their impact in WWII was significant. In 1945, the 10th Mountain Division led critical assaults in Italy’s Apennine Mountains, notably at Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere. Fighting uphill through snow and fortified positions, they proved the value of mountain warfare specialists.

After the war, their influence expanded far beyond the battlefield. Veterans of the 10th went on to found ski resorts, lead outdoor education initiatives like NOLS and Outward Bound, and shape the culture of American mountaineering. Among them were Lou and Jim Whittaker, who trained U.S. Army personnel in cold-weather survival during the Korean War before becoming two of the most influential figures in American guiding and climbing history.

Want more info on the 10th Mountain Divison? Check out our deep dive here.

Shared Skills: What Mountaineers and Soldiers Train For

The overlap in skills between mountain guides and military personnel isn’t incidental. Many of the foundational techniques used by professional guides today were refined or formalized through military training programs, particularly those developed by the 10th Mountain Division and the Army Mountain Warfare School.

Key shared competencies include:

• Navigation and Route Planning: Both disciplines require advanced topographical map reading, compass use, GPS navigation, and terrain assessment - often under time pressure and in low-visibility conditions.

• Technical Climbing and Rigging: Rope management, crevasse rescue, fixed-line travel, rappelling, and high-angle casualty evacuation are standard parts of both military mountain operations and alpine guiding.

• Cold Weather and Altitude Survival: From layering systems and hydration strategies to the recognition of frostbite and high-altitude illness, cold-weather medical training is critical to both communities.

• Team Cohesion and Decision-Making: Perhaps most importantly, both roles demand clear communication, trust in team members, and the ability to make fast, informed decisions in dynamic environments.

These shared skill sets continue to be reinforced in military courses like those at the Army Mountain Warfare School in Vermont, where soldiers are taught techniques originally developed in civilian guiding environments, and vice versa.

Gear That Traveled Both Directions

The collaboration between military R&D and mountaineering professionals has given rise to many of the textiles, designs, and technologies we now take for granted in outdoor gear.

Vibram Soles

Originally developed in 1937 by Italian alpinist Vitale Bramani after a mountaineering tragedy, Vibram’s lug sole was quickly adopted by military mountain units for its traction on snow, rock, and mud. Today, Vibram soles are ubiquitous across climbing boots and military footwear alike.

Paracord

Parachute cord (Type III 550) was developed for the U.S. military during WWII. Lightweight, strong, and versatile, it’s been adopted by climbers for prusiks, emergency repairs, and guy lines. Its durability and packability made it an obvious crossover.

Synthetic Layering Systems

The U.S. military’s ECWCS (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) and later PCU (Protective Combat Uniform) programs drew directly from mountaineering philosophies. When the U.S. Army turned to climber and guide Mark Twight to help modernize its cold-weather systems in the early 2000s, the result was a modular, mix-and-match layering approach that mirrors what today’s mountaineers wear - from wicking base layers to belay puffies.

Gore-Tex

Developed in the civilian sector, Gore-Tex quickly found its way into military contracts for its waterproof, breathable performance. In turn, the scale and funding of military applications helped advance and expand the technology. Gore now manufactures a range of military-grade products alongside its consumer lines.

These developments reflect a constant exchange of ideas where the needs of one group often spark innovation for the other.

Modern Gear Brands with Military Ties

The legacy of military-influenced design lives on in some of the most trusted names in technical outdoor gear. A few companies stand out for their ongoing commitment to dual-use innovation:

Outdoor Research

Founded by a former Navy scientist after a mountaineering trip in Denali, Outdoor Research has deep roots in both performance and protection. The company produces a full line of military gear for U.S. Special Forces alongside its commercial mountaineering and ski apparel. Products like the OR Infiltrator Jacket and Tactical Glove line are used by operators and alpinists alike.

Beyond Clothing

Originally developed to support U.S. Special Operations Command, Beyond Clothing has since expanded into the consumer market, offering PCU-inspired layering systems built with mission-critical materials. Their AXIOS system reflects the same modular design that modern climbers rely on for changing alpine conditions.

Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement & Armed Forces)

Arc’teryx, known for its premium alpine gear, also operates a military-specific division called LEAF. Many of the textiles and designs tested in military contexts later filter into their main product line - especially in softshells, cold-weather layers, and load-bearing systems.

These brands are not just selling aesthetics, they’re producing field-tested equipment trusted by professionals in some of the harshest environments on earth.

Legacy on the Mountain: Veterans Who Shaped Alpinism

Military service didn’t just influence mountaineering gear, it shaped mountaineers themselves. Some of the most respected figures in American climbing brought the discipline and resilience of their service into the mountains.

• Jim and Lou Whittaker honed their skills while training troops, then brought that experience to their careers in guiding, education, and gear development. Lou’s founding of RMI and Jim’s historic Everest summit are rooted in lessons learned under military instruction.

• Willi Unsoeld, a Navy veteran, and Pete Schoening, a former Army serviceman, both played key roles in the legendary 1963 American Everest expedition. Schoening’s improvised belay on K2 is still studied today in both climbing and rescue curricula.

• Bradford Washburn, who served as a consultant to the Army Air Forces during WWII, revolutionized alpine mapping and route planning with aerial photography techniques later used in both military reconnaissance and mountaineering exploration.

• Charles Houston, a Navy medical officer and expedition leader, laid the groundwork for high-altitude physiology research that is still referenced in both climbing medicine and military cold-weather protocols.

These individuals exemplify the values shared between the two communities: commitment to safety, trust in teammates, and a drive to explore the limits of human capability.

For more information on these legends of mountaineering, check out our blog post.

A Lasting Influence

Today, the relationship between mountaineering and military service continues to evolve. Special operations teams train in alpine environments. Cold-weather rescue tactics are shared between civilian SAR units and military medics. Gear designers regularly consult with both soldiers and climbers when developing new products.

At Whittaker Mountaineering, we see that lineage every day - through the climbers we outfit, the founders we owe our story to, and the names behind the gear we carry. Our connection to the 10th Mountain Division is personal, but its legacy belongs to everyone who values preparedness, resilience, and respect for the high places.

As we observe Memorial Day, we honor not only the sacrifices of those who served but also the deep and lasting influence they’ve had on the culture of mountaineering itself. The training, the gear, and the mindset of climbing mountains all owe something to their example.

References

1. Outdoor Industry Association. “Outdoor Recreation Participation Trends.” 2022.

2. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. “Circular Economy Overview.” 2020.

3. U.S. Army. “Mountain Warfare School.”
   https://recruiting.army.mil/About-USAREC/Mountain-Warfare-School/

4. GORE-TEX Professional. “ECWCS and Military Applications.”
   https://www.goretexprofessional.com/

5. Patagonia. “Military Contracts and Gear Development.”
   https://www.patagonia.com

6. Outdoor Research. “Tactical and Military Gear.”
   https://www.outdoorresearch.com

7. Beyond Clothing. “AXIOS System Overview.”
   https://beyondclothing.com

8. Arc’teryx LEAF. “Law Enforcement and Armed Forces Gear.”
   https://leaf.arcteryx.com

9. Decaneas Archive. Washburn Photography Collection.
   https://www.decaneasarchive.com