Snow Man 10th Mountain Division
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Snow Man 10th Mountain Division
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
A person dressed in white winter gear carries skis through a snowy forest. Snowflakes fall gently around them, adding to the serene, frosty scene.
The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) is a light infantry division in the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. Formerly designated as a mountain warfare unit, the division was the only one of its size in the U.S. military to receive specialized training for fighting in mountainous conditions. More recently, the 10th Mountain has advised and assisted Iraqi Security Forces in Iraq and People's Defense Units in Syria.
The idea to create the Tenth Mountain Division was inspired by a stunning embarrassment of the Russian military that took place during the Winter War of 1939 when a small Finnish ski patrol defeated a larger and far better-armed invading Soviet force. Charles Minot Dole, the president of the National Ski Patrol, took notice and set about forming an official mountaineering division of the US Army.
To form America’s first mountain warfare unit, the US Army enlisted Dole’s help. He traveled the nation scouring ski clubs and universities to find experienced skiers who were up for the challenge. The unit first trained at Mt. Rainer in Washington before a garrison was built at Camp Hale in Colorado in 1942 to accommodate the new division.
Camp Hale was situated between Red Cliff and Leadville, Colorado on US-24 in Eagle County, on a stretch of road now known as the 10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway. You can visit the ruins of this historic landmark today, and even camp close by at the Camp Hale Memorial within the White River National Forest.
In addition to the surrounding rocky alpine terrain and ample snowfall, plus railroad access, Camp Hale’s location was chosen due to its proximity to Cooper Hill. This 11,700-foot summit is known today as Ski Cooper and is one of Colorado’s oldest ski areas, opening in 1942. The resort would later open to the public after the war and now you can train on-location as the early 10th Mountain Division did.
Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed during the transition.
Image copyright 2025 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
February 26th, 2025
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