EP 290 - MTN Gear Mountain Stick 4.1 Review | The Reason I No Longer Use Trekking Poles

I've got three spots left open for spring black bear hunts in BC and two spots left for archery mule deer in Alberta. For any outfitting info, email me [email protected] I avoided the Mountain Stick 4.1 from MTN Gear for years because I assumed it was just a trekking pole with an ice axe head. I was wrong. After putting it through the ultimate test on a mountain goat hunt in brutal terrain, I can confidently say this tool is in a league of its own. In this review, I cover: • Why my first impressions were dead wrong • How the Mountain Stick performs in real-world backcountry hunting conditions • Features like the carbide tip, pommel grip, climbing hooks, digging ability, rifle mount, and saw attachment • Pros, cons, and whether it’s worth the $300 price tag If you’re a mountain hunter, backcountry hiker, or gear junkie wondering if the Mountain Stick 4.1 is hype or a legit game changer, this deep dive is for you. 👉 What do you use instead of trekking poles in the mountains? Drop your thoughts in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe for more no-BS gear reviews, optics tests, and backcountry hunting insights. ⸻ 📍 Chapters  00:00 – Why I avoided the Mountain Stick 4.1 00:31 – First assumptions vs. reality 01:08 – Build quality & durability (vs. trekking poles) 01:55 – Stability in steep terrain 02:57 – Pommel grip advantage 04:03 – Carbide tip & footing on tough slopes 05:16 – Climbing with hooks & ice axe function 06:14 – Digging, water, and camp uses 08:08 – Rifle mount & shooting stability 09:28 – Saw attachment & versatility 10:42 – Materials, specs & weight 12:39 – Downsides: grip, price, and weight 14:24 – Why it’s more than a trekking pole 14:51 – The “battle axe” factor 15:20 – Final thoughts & viewer questions   Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/   Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop   Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact   IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/   Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast   Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools