30 Best Episodes Of Mountain Men Ranked

As fans of "Mountain Men" will know, man is not at the top of the food chain when it comes to the mountains. To survive, he must do what is necessary — which, thankfully, makes for amazing television. In a world away from the mansions of "The Kardashians" and "Selling Sunset," a group of hardy mountaineers dedicate their lives to toughing it out in the depths of the wilderness. From show stalwarts like Tom Oar and Eustace Conway to later newcomers such as Jake and Martha, "Mountain Men" is beloved for its dramatic action, sense of community, and heart.

The gang seems to have adjusted well to their newly-found fame, injecting money into local businesses and their own pockets. The show is so beloved that Season 12 is likely to be on the horizon, though the series has not been officially renewed. Whether the main men like Tom will return remains to be seen, but in the meantime, fans can relive every skin shed and whittled craft the team has produced since 2012. Think you can distinguish prey from a predator? Here's our ranked list of the best 30 episodes of "Mountain Men."

As the voiceover immediately tells us, the third episode of Season 2 is quite literally all or nothing. Clearly, the sense of heightened drama is a big hit with fans, scoring in the top 30 rated episodes on IMDb. "Winter Strikes" follows the devastating effects of Montana's forest fires, with Tom struggling to prepare for another winter ahead. In an attempt to make things bearable, he embarks on a deer hunt to save the family's bacon (or venison, if you will). Setting out on his own into the white wilderness, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief when Tom finally spots what he's after. The perfect cliffhanger comes when he misses his shot in the episode's final moments, leaving viewers unsure if he can find food after the garden was torn up by a grizzly bear.

Even though the snow settles down, the drama doesn't stop there. Rich has to contend with the wolves of the wilderness to try and make back his previous year's losses, while Marty nurses his broken machinery into unchartered territory. Previously having problems before the snowfall, Marty sets himself up for a season of hardship, working to repair the damage caused by the perilous weather. Even worse — Rich's dog has gone missing in the darkness of coyote howls. Nothing says "tune in next week" like a cute, lost pet!

Even though "Mayhem" is only the show's second outing, the second episode of Season 1 solidified itself as an instant classic. It's here that "Mountain Men" solidifies its trusted basics, focusing on the core cast of Tom, Marty, and Eustace. While Marty struggles with leaving his family behind after his pilgrimage to North Alaska, Eustace starts the humble beginnings of the tree house. For long-time fans of the show, it's endearing to see such a huge dose of heart at the center of the action. It's rare for viewers to see a glimpse of anyone outside of the Mountain Men themselves, and the episode serves as the perfect reminder that members of the cast have existing lives outside of the show.

Even though the lumber shed is in its humble beginnings, some things never change — and Tom is still taking his hunt into the dead of night. While trying to save a friend's water supply, he runs into a pack of grizzlies. This is the moment we first see what Tom is made of, packing up his truck to take on the world beyond the woodland. He cuts a dashing figure, and there's something about his sense of confidence that compels fans to keep watching.

We've seen "Twister" and the storm that ravaged Wisteria Lane in "Desperate Housewives," and now it's the weather's turn to ruin things for the mountain men. Season 9's "Tornado Alley" stared the effects of the climate right in the eye, with a few bears thrown in for good measure. The episode is touted as a means of opportunity — including finding bear meat to feed the family. It's specifically a black bear that Jake is looking for this time, hoping to line the larder with fresh spring stock. What he actually gets (and definitely doesn't bargain for) is some pretty scary weather. When a tornado strikes Franklin County, our mountain men and their family have to batten down the hatches and hope for the best.

Though the circumstances aren't ideal, it's intriguing to watch Tom and the gang in a situation they've yet to face. Mary makes sure the kids are okay in the hideout, keeping the family in one piece by checking that the radios still work. When the clouds lift, it's Eustace that comes out on top, happy with the crops he'd planted earlier in a literal race against time. We might not be facing the hunts and storms ourselves, but it's certainly exhausting to watch.

Just like the white water rapids, this episode crashes into the top ranks of "Mountain Men" episodes. As the first season to have the classic formation of 16 episodes, the Season 2 finale perfectly captures the drama when times are changing. "Misty Mountain" follows our favorite woodsmen as they prepare for spring after a hard and taxing winter. For Eustace, the transition seems to be an easy one, testing out a canoe he's built on the river to pay off his debts. Kicking back and telling stories that remind him of his father, it's heartwarming to see a more relaxed pace to a typically frantic episode structure.

As is usually the case with "Mountain Men," the drama is never far away from the woods. Tom arguably has the biggest change in character, downing tools on the mountain to head for the sunshine state of Florida. With his kids keen to see him move away from continued hardship, his instincts to be a stick in the mud kick in, with his friends baffled by his choices. Even though Tom heads for the hills, the unpredictable nature of the show stays put, as Rich trains his dog to find cougars. Spoiler alert — it doesn't end well.

Even though "Miles From Home" is only four episodes into the show's run, it's here fans can sink their teeth into the cast and their ongoing challenges. Eustace is trying to outrun the taxman, busting up with locals along the way. While it's easier to hide in the wilderness, he can't outrun his problems for long — forcing Justin to take a hike. Throughout the episode, Eustace gets sick, yet is quick to brew some questionable home remedies of his own. Seeing the lengths the gang will go to stay in the land they call home is both entertaining and admirable, even when they risk more sickness from fireside potions.

Marty gets a ropey call while up in the air, telling him it's impossible to travel for the next 72 hours. It lays the groundwork for an episode that sees big decisions, whether that's Marty in the snow or Tom comfortably back at the ranch. For the first time, Tom will have to question whether he can afford to keep up the outsider lifestyle in Montana as he gets older. The theme follows him throughout the show's 11 seasons, and it's safe to say that he shows no signs of slowing down here.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, it is actually a plane — only it's no longer in the sky. Another great episode for its high stakes and explosive drama, Season 7's "Double Jeopardy" gets off on the wrong foot when Morgan's plane breaks down. Both Morgan and Mike end up stuck in the middle of nowhere when transport problems combine with supplies running out. The drama continues with Jake, as he leads his pack of dogs on a high-speed mountain chase in pursuit of mountain lions. At the last minute, it all goes wrong when one of the pups gets stuck up a tree after chasing a mountain lion a little too thoroughly. Regardless of what you think of them, a day in the life of the mountain men is never a straightforward one.

In a rare instance, Tom is having a different kind of day. Instead of staking out or trying to kill a buffalo, he heads to his shed to work on a commission for a traditional Native American lance. It's probably one of the first times we see an injection of culture and history into the show, far outside their typical outdoorsy survival mode. Watching the time, craft, and care Tom puts into his work is satisfying on an entirely new level, leaving fans with a newfound sense of respect.

It's all to play for from the moment this episode starts, with fans staring directly into a grizzly bear's jaws. This time it's because Mike is scouting for bears on the riverbanks, with "Tooth and Claw" following his every move as he finds traps along the river bank. Wandering along the spacious marshland, it's breathtaking to see the open wilderness in all its glory. Wondering what makes this episode a standout? The moment Mike comes face to face with a bear in the closing moments. Lying in the tall grass, the end is just shy of being catastrophic.

In other moments, this episode of "Mountain Men" feels more like a cooking segment on a daytime TV show. Taking to his shed to show the cameras how to properly skin coyotes, Tom's avenues for extra cash inadvertently turn him into a presenter. It's nice to see another side to him, imparting his wisdom to fans as if they are the new generation. In a more mundane contrast, Morgan and Margaret enjoy a wholesome and harmless fishing trip. Who could have a problem with that?

Ah, kids. Don't you just love them? In a rare "Mountain Men" sighting, the younger generations are getting involved in pulling their weight on the ranch. Season 2's "No Way Out" isn't only one of the highest-rated outings on IMDb, but also shows Tom's grandson coming for a visit. What he imagines as a picturesque, relaxing break in a cozy cabin quickly turns out to be a lesson in hard work. Not only is the upkeep around the ranch huge, but Tom isn't one to do things by halves — leading his hunting stakeouts well into the night. It's a fun dynamic to watch, with proof that the mountaineering lifestyle certainly isn't for everyone.

Marty and his snowmobile are prominent features of almost every episode, but there's something about seeing him with a beard of frozen snow that's even more entertaining. This time, he's rescuing his extra pair of hands instead of relying on them, resulting in a sled chase through the woods in the dark of night. All's well that ends well though, as the two pull in enough furs to start the next season off on the right foot. If nothing else, we love to see the mountain men come out on top.

Records are made to be broken, and the finale of Season 7 brings out the best in our favorite mountain men. "Hell or High Water" is a monumental moment in Eustace's journey — going from the man who argued with younger help to having enough cash to make the down payment on the land next door. Finally able to free himself from some of his struggles, it's a joy to watch Eustace literally ride like a knight in shining armor to get what he wants. Reflecting on his journey over the last seven seasons, Eustace gives us the emotional moment we've all been rooting for, ready to take care of his patch for future generations.

Of course, no episode of "Mountain Men" is ever too far away from drama. Morgan navigates the treacherous path of the North Alaskan River, needing to land on a makeshift runway that's never been tested. Tom fights the rapids down the Kootenai River, definitely giving his kids another reason to be worried. The record itself comes in the form of Marty's hunting haul. Longtime viewers will know how much the cast struggles with this from season to season, so to finally see a healthy haul feels like as much of a win for the fans themselves.

In the thick of the mountains, sometimes all that matters is keeping things equal. Episode 13 of Season 2 is aptly titled "Settling The Score," and crashes into the list of top-rated episodes on IMDb. Unusually for an episode of "Mountain Men," this 45 minutes of woodland chaos involves a bird of prey. Tom's teaming back up with his brother Jack to send his hunting falcon back into the wild. It's a calmer start to the episode after their previous wrangling with a wild stallion, but that only allows their brotherly love to shine through. It's a similar family affair for Rich, who has roped his wife Diane into moving their cattle herd before the local predators catch up to them. Call us old-fashioned, but there's something endearing about seeing the mountain men work so well with their families.

As fans know, nature takes no prisoners — so it's particularly interesting to see different cast members at their peaks and pits. Marty is on a high from his most successful season yet, never letting the freezing cold or darkness dampen his spirits. On the other hand, Charlie is struggling thanks to his previous snowmobile injury, working through the season one-handed and on his own. It's rare we see two contrasts play out at exactly the same time, and it makes for a gripping watch.

Injury always makes the action more exciting — yet unfortunately, it's always poor Charlie that has to bear the brunt of it. Season 2's "End of the Line" takes on a completely different tone, as Charlie is left stranded and fighting for his life alone in Maine. It's a much more serious take on the wilderness drama of "Mountain Men," but it's a vulnerable moment that pays off, keeping viewers gripped enough to rank it highly on IMDb. The cause of it all? The infamous snowmobile crash, which we now see played out at full speed.

What's great about Episode 9 is that it ventures to new places we've yet to discover as an audience. While Eustace is off raising money to make his dreams come true, Tom heads into the caves of his hometown to explore an animal disturbance that's gone too far. We even have a new cast member to welcome into the fold, with Tom giving viewers a sled tour of the incredible Tetons as he makes his living by running a dog sledding business. If TV could transport us somewhere else, we'd want that to be possible now.

It doesn't take long for the opening episode of Season 10 to get incredibly exciting, as the women are finally taking center stage. Sometimes drafted in to help their husbands or just as useful passers-by, the women in the lives of the mountain men rarely get a look in. In "Hunt to Survive," it's Nancy Oar that helps see Tom through the onset of the winter months. Since the beginning of the show, Tom's lifestyle has been a concern to many of his loved ones, and it's pretty emotional to see a woman step up to the plate and help him. Struggling in isolation, Nancy is on hand to give Tom the lift he needs as his health starts to fail him.

There's another rare sighting in the "Mountain Men" back catalog during this episode — a rattlesnake. Our mountaineers are more used to wrangling stallions, bears, and mountain lions, but Jake is faced with a smaller predator while hunting down an antelope. Thankfully, fans already know how best to skin a snake due to Tom's pearls of wisdom, though the results are possibly the most gruesome to look at. For viewers with a strong stomach, the Season 10 premiere is unmissable.

Reunited and it feels so good ... Tom's not having a great time of it in Season 11, so seeing him link back up with old pal Sean is a delight for longtime fans of the show. "No Turning Back" follows the pair on a particularly treacherous climb, checking in on an important trapline up the mountainside. We also get to see a glimpse into Tom's personal history, with photos from his glory days as a champion rodeo rider. Still considered the toughest man on the mountain, it's an emotional moment for fans to pay respect to the "Mountain Men" OG, still toughing it out in his signature adorned hat and navy coat.

Out in Alaska, the focus is no longer solely on Marty. Martha Tansy is taking the reins of an off-road expedition, paving the way for a brand-new generation of mountaineers to take their place on the show. Along with Elli, the pair find new hunting grounds that could be perfect for successful hunting seasons in the future. It's like they always say — don't send a man to do a woman's job!

There's no way our top 3 couldn't include where it all began. Fresh-faced and ready to take on whatever the mountain has to offer, Eustace, Marty, and Tom are introduced to fans as the hardiest men in the wilderness, and our dangerous love affair with the outdoors begins. We quickly get a great feel for their individual styles. 

Marty feels bad when choosing to swap his family for his beloved snowmobile in the rural outback of North Alaska. He's in his element while running around in the pitch black, and his face is frozen into one surprised expression. Eustace is the most laid-back of the bunch, treating viewers to his relaxed life of hunting, fishing, and tending the land that he's had for 33 years. Tom's life on the ranch is nothing to be jealous about, but his instant knowledge and urban smarts make him a figure not to be messed with. Regardless of what these guys are doing in "Winter Is Coming," the episode is full of an infectious passion that viewers can't help but get wrapped up in for the next 11 seasons. And so, an obsession is born!

As IMDb's best-rated "Mountain Men" episode, it's no surprise that "Stranded" tops our ranking of episodes. The peak of the action falls at the feet of Charlie, who's stuck in a deadly whiteout over a mile from where he set up camp. He can hardly see, and neither can we — except for his classic green shirt partially trudging through the snow. It's possible that the mountainside action has never been more exciting, with a literal life-or-death situation playing out before our eyes. Managing to make himself a fire, Charlie narrowly avoids getting hypothermia before journeying back into the dark to find shelter.

The story isn't too dissimilar for Marty, who's also stuck in his own kind of blizzard. Setting traps to establish his territory, he manages to catch a variety of wild predators, from bears to foxes. As his hunt reveals itself in scene after scene, we switch over to Tom drilling down into fresh ice to fish for his own breakfast. After a night of whittling and rescuing his endangered chicken coop, the physical effort never ceases. This is an episode of "Mountain Men" that's always firing on all cylinders, sure to leave fans' hearts pounding in their ears.