Ep 15. The Gauntlet

The episode "The Gauntlet" from season 7 of Mountain Men follows the harsh winter experiences of several individuals living off the grid and relying on their immense survival skills to endure the cold months of Montana. The episode is packed with many exciting moments where the skilled men and women face various challenges such as avalanches, drought, and deadly predators thriving in the snowy terrain.

The show follows several Mountain Men, as they are referred to, and their mountainous lifestyles. This season, the viewers get to experience how Timbi, the only remaining woman left in the group, is handling the harsh realities of winter, which is the toughest season in Montana.

At the beginning of the episode, Timbi narrates how her mind screams while wandering in the forest's loneliness. This episode presupposes that the viewers have already become familiar with the show's broadcast structure and the cast's individual stories. While one of the featured individuals, Jason, is still coping with the aftermath of a terrible bear attack, Timbi is undertaking more pressing tasks such as shooting and trapping. Her survival often depends on these skills during the winter months.

Furthermore, while the other mountain men have been preparing for the winter, Morgan struggles to acquire food for his family. He sets up a new trap-line and tests out its efficiency in catching animals. Morgan compares himself to a soldier, noting that the ability to face danger fearlessly is critical in his line of work. Ultimately, the trap-line pays off as he catches a whole beaver colony, a trove of essential fur and food stocks.

Additionally, Marty Meierotto struggles with muddy terrain as he attempts to transport his precious fur cargo across the wilderness. The journey is treacherous, and as he is attempting to make his way across a snow-covered mountain pass, his snow machine breaks down, leaving him stranded. Marty uses his vast survival experience to navigate his way out of the situation, and this process proves to be incredibly tense.

Meanwhile, Tom Oar has to navigate his way across the tricky terrain by constructing a hand-made sled. The sled proves to be instrumental in hauling vital goods to his cabin, which is deep in the mountains. Tom's tenacity in constructing the sled reflects how he has made it this far living off the grid, where survival depends on resourcefulness.

Wildlife takes center stage in this episode too, featuring footage of how the various forms of predators in Montana survive the winter. The mountain men have to come up with ingenious ways of ensuring that they are not on the menu, whether it is from wolf packs or grizzly bears. The wildlife serves as both hindrances and a source of food for the mountain men. As such, their lives are constantly challenged by the changing dynamics of their environment.

Ultimately, what makes this episode stand out is how the mountain men are done with the fall tasks, and now the viewers get to see how they cope with winter. Winter and the unforgiving Montana mountains are a sight to behold, and this episode showcases nature's raw beauty and ferocity. The atmosphere is incredibly tense from start to finish, and each cast member's strength and skillset is put to the test. Viewers will find themselves on edge as the mountain men face challenging conditions.

In conclusion, "The Gauntlet" is a gripping episode of Mountain Men that showcases how the mountain men employ their skill sets to survive during winter. The episode is packed with spectacular views, wild animals, and challenging situations that keep viewers engaged. The cast members' tenacity and resourcefulness, coupled with their determination to survive, make for an exciting watch. All in all, this is one episode that fans of the show must watch.