2025, Week 18:
From Texas to the Mountains—New Gear, New Adventures, and Big Things Coming
After an unforgettable week in Texas at the Veteran Athlete Adaptive Shoot with our friends at Black Rifle Coffee Company, we jumped right back into the grind the moment we landed.
We're still buzzing from the impact that weekend had on us, and we're working hard on a video recap that will drop soon—trust us, you’ll want to see it. Some moments are just too powerful not to share.
Monday: Gear Day with Initial Ascent
No time to rest—Monday morning we linked up with Joe and Dennis from Initial Ascent, makers of the best hunting backpacks on the planet. We got hands-on with their 3K and 5K packs, putting them through their paces to see how they stack up in a real-world setting.
We also got Cameraman Riley dialed in with his first-ever Initial Ascent 5K pack. Let’s just say he won’t be going back. It was awesome to see him get properly fitted and ready to haul gear on our upcoming adventures. (Keep an eye out for this video soon)
To top it off, we sat down for a podcast session with Joe and Dennis—talking gear, grit, and what goes into building backpacks for serious backcountry hunters. As well as how Faith played a key role in them meeting and building a brand. Keep an eye out for that episode soon.
Tuesday: New Wheels from Polaris
Tuesday was like Christmas in April—we officially picked up our brand new Ranger side-by-side from Polaris. This machine is going to be a total game-changer for our hunts, scouting trips, and everything in between. Huge thanks to Polaris, Allsport Racing Spokane, and Freeburg Trailers in Plummer for making it happen—we're stoked to put it to the test in the field.
Wednesday: Back Into the Mountains for Spring Bear
Midweek, we headed out for a spring bear hunt and brought along a special guest— Papa Rod. It’s not every day you get to take the old man back into the mountains, but we made it happen. He’s still got that fire, and it was awesome to see him back out there with a pack on his back.
We tested a bunch of gear during this trip, including:
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Initial Ascent backpacks (yes, again—they’re that good)
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PEAX shelters and tents—lightweight, durable, and built for rough terrain
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Some new boots we’re putting through their paces (we’ll share more thoughts on those soon)
Make sure you’re following us on Instagram—we’ve got behind-the-scenes content from this hunt dropping in the coming days. It’s raw, real, and full of the good stuff you love.
Friday: Arrows and Innovation with QuivAR
We wrapped the week by linking up with the guys behind QuivAR Archery Targets—a new name in the archery world that’s pushing the envelope with a new idea in the archery target realm that will make you even better in the fall season.
We sat down with them for a podcast and got a first-hand look at what makes their targets stand out. Let’s just say, if you’re serious about archery practice, you’re going to want to pay attention. This content goes live soon, so keep an eye out.
What’s Next?
We’re heading into May with a lot of momentum—and even more content on the way. Between gear testing, hunts, and behind-the-scenes projects, we’re working hard to bring you value every single week. Stay tuned, and as always, thanks for being part of the ElkShape community.
Separation is in the Preparation.
— Team ElkShape
1 comment
I always look forward to your content. I’m really interested in the initial ascent packs you are trying out.