10 Pieces of Gear I Carried for over a Decade of Mountain Guiding
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- After a lengthy video-making sabbatical, I'm back!
A quick video to get back into things. As I reorganized my life and gear, post selling my guiding business, I ran into several pieces of equipment that have gone on almost every elk, deer, sheep, goat, and bear hunt I've been on for the past decade. I'd consider these no brainer purchases for anyone diving into mountain hunting!
00:00 I'm Back!
00:35 Newsletter
02:23 In-Reach Device
03:50 Buck 113 Knife (Carl Thomas Jr. Sheath)
05:40 Kershaw Ultra Tek Sharpener
06:50 Petzl E-Lite Backup Headlamp
08:55 Water System (Nalgenes, HumanGear Lid, SteriPen)
12:00 OnX Hunt Mapping Software and a Smart Phone
13:05 Detachable Bipod
14:40 Dermatone Sunscreen
15:30 Ice Axe and Shooting Sticks - Kobah Axe, Whippet, Cascade Mountain Carbon Fiber (Costco)
17:55 Quick-StiX
18:16 PhoneSkope
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Below you will find Amazon Affiliate links to products discussed or used in the video. I make a commission from your use of these links, but using the link will not affect the price you pay for any items.
Phone Skope-
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Trekking Poles-
amzn.to/3KtCNlv
Dermatone-
amzn.to/3PZONfM
OnX Hunt Subscription-
amzn.to/3QV1WZ5
SteriPen-
amzn.to/3Tn7sFm
Big Nalgenes-
amzn.to/3AvGMcX
Small Nalgene-
amzn.to/3TrohPE
Human Gear Drinking Cap-
amzn.to/3cmhh5X
Backup HeadLamp from Petzl-
amzn.to/3KqUYs2
Kershaw Ultra-Tek Sharpener-
amzn.to/3AqOTaF
Buck Knife 113-
amzn.to/3KqV7M6
Cross-Draw Carl Thomas Jr. Sheath
amzn.to/3UcVy0a
InReach-
amzn.to/3wCcNim
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WATCH MORE FROM CLIFF:
Hunting Skillsets - • Hunting Skill Sets
E-Scouting Series - • E-Scouting
Hunting Gear - • Mountain Hunting Gear
Glassing - • Glassing
Catch, Clean, Cook Adventures - • Catch, Cook, Clean Adv...
Hunt Preparation and Logistics - • Fall Hunt Preparation
Hunting Horseback - • Horseback Mountain Hun...
Marksmanship - • Mountain Hunting Marks...
Wildlife Tracking - • Wildlife Tracking
PLEASE NOTE:
*Cliff no longer takes on new guided hunt or expedition clients. He sold all operating outfitting/guiding businesses prior to 2021.
Its so nice to have a level headed guy just explain his kit without the ego & chip on the shoulder so many others have. I appreciate your common sense approach & delivery
Glad you enjoyed the video 👍 appreciate the positive feedback
😊
Finally a survival expert who tells you not to get into a survival situation in the first place. Well done
Kinda like the best martial art technique: avoid the fight
How do you 'not' get involved in a 'survival situation'. No one looks for it (exception teenagers and stoned out). It just happens. Your partner breaks leg, bear rips your tent at 2am, heart attack or stroke. Things happen. Be prepared.
@@santafecanon We can't control much, but the majority of the time people get into survival situations is multi compounding bad decisions and errors in judgement. IE you're a lot less likely to break your leg from a fall if you are using hiking sticks and good boots.
I’ve been an outdoorsman for over 60 years and like you have gone through generations of gear and it’s evolution . What you have shown us today is all good no matter what your doing being it backpacking , fishing , or hunting the one think you didn’t mention was optics ( binoculars/ spotting scope ) which I’m sure you have . All of these items will make your life easier in the backcountry and could even help save your life . Thanks for the video
Happy Trails
Thanks Mike!
Zinke is an old Australian brand of thick sunscreen (which is why we call it Zinke (pronounced like zinc) and does indeed contain zinc oxide. Australia is the largest exporter of Zinc in the world, since our country contains over 20% of the world’s zinc oxide resource. However, this isn’t particularly important as zinc oxide blocks almost all types of UVA/B sun radiation, it also doesn’t deteriorate from the sun easily and works instantly when applied. This is why you see Australian surfers, lifeguards and sportsmen wear Zinke for sun protection. Especially since Australia has the harshest sun in the world (apart from Antartica) due to having a large hole in the ozone layer. As I type this my grandad has terminal skin cancer so needless to say sun protection is extremely important in this country.
The ozone layer….🤣
Never been there myself .... but I could bet that the latitude that includes Jacksonville, fl is one of the most brutal in the world ..... follow it around the world .... it’s mostly desert ..... think Sahara desert , Libya , Saudi Arabia, Iraq , Iran , India , Afghanistan ..... in from this area of US . Keep the zinc on tap for sure .
And New Zealands harsh sun cobber🌞🌞🌞🤣🤣😄👍😁👊🤘
Good information. Sunglasses are a must as well. Especially in the snow.
Where I lived as a child we called this mammoth grease hahaha. Its not like there is a company named like this. But we didnt have any name for this thick greasy thing that protected us from sun and frostbite.
A quality knife is probably THE most important tool in anyone’s kit. It doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars, BUT, it MUST be rugged, take and hold a good edge and be where you can get to with one hand.
The choice of a fixed blade is excellent for a primary knife. Also the old military saying “ 2 is 1 , 1 is none” is especially true with knives. One should ALWAYS have a spare knife of good quality. A knife can be easily lost, having a backup in the field is just good sense. It can be the same as the primary, bigger, smaller, a folder, whatever, but it is essential to have a backup knife.
One broken blade will convince anyone in the field of the importance of having a knife.
Good videos, thanks for taking the time.
Thanks for the comment. Great tip on having a backup!
I've already had my high dollar
knives. Most have gone to new
homes, and I still have my
proven replaceable knives.
I differ from many in that I
like a longer blade than most
people for dressing my game
I can literally feel the experience in your voice. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, you’ve gained a new sub!
Super interesting list. Many new items for my shopping list. Thanks greatly! Cheers from Canada.
Cliff, I appreciate your knowledge and you sharing it to all of us. Thanks for what you do!
Thanks man!
As a new hunter, I just discovered you and your channel. I learn everytime I watch. Love it Cliff keep it going.
Thanks! glad the videos are helpful.... I'll keep them coming :)
Thank you for the pro-tips Cliff! I really appreciate your approach to teaching.
Some great info!! I look forward to doing more back country hunting with tips from you, thank you again!!!
Thanks
I've never been a fan of trekking poles until I was given a pair last year. I took them with me to Snowdonia and found them really useful when descending steep rocky paths with a backpack. Thank you for sharing your experience over time. That always sorts the reliable kit from the gimmicks.
Agreed! I always thought I was “too young” to need them & they would be just one more pain in the butt item to carry. I was wrong on both counts. They’re perfect for descents on scree.
That headlamp has saved my ass so many times. I personally think it is amazing that I haven't lost that tiny thing in 15+ years!
Thanks for all the practice advice on equipment.
That was great! As an older guy I’ve discarded so much crap and like getting back to the basics, “necessities”. If you ain’t gonna actually use it, you don’t need it.
for sure! thanks
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge
very good video on survival and helpful tools in hunting. Your no nonsense way of describing them and not doing an add for from a supply company is great. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada and don’t venture far. I’m 67 and love everything outdoors. I’m going to get walking sticks as I’m not in mountainous terrain, great help with my arthritis. Thank you for putting this video on CZcams
Thanks Barry!
Really enjoyed the video! Thanks!
Just came across your video, I will be sure to check out the rest of them. I guided and packed in the Bob Marshall back in the 80's, and the only thing in your video that we would of had is that knife, and hat. Bugling was just starting to get popular. The evolution of it all is fascinating.
That's awesome. I'm sure you had some adventures in the Bob!
I like the cross draw for the knife carry. Thanks!
Good tips and a very useful list. Thanks
I love being outside & gear & all the videos about gear for outside. This is my favorite outdoor gear recommendation video, because it's based on years spent outside, rather than contrived survival situations / challenges. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks
The way you illustrate these encounters is remarkable. It's as if I'm right there with the people going through these situations. I've never encountered more than one at a time. But now listening to you it makes me wonder if that was the case after all. Thanks Fred for what you do.
Thus has been one of the GREATEST RESOURCE VIDEOS I HAVE EVER SEEN.
Whats your favorite all around rifle calibre?
@@QuitYoJibby-JabbinFool well that's kinda of hard to say. Depending on where I'm hunting or other activities. Open areas I carry a 300 winchester short mag. I really like the short bolt throw. Brush and thickets I Carrie an ar15 chambered in 450 bushmaster 9 round magazines. Can't get that big boar in any higher capacity and I really haven't need more than one round unless I happen upon a bunch of hogs. I always Carry a 10mm glock on a chest rig while I'm in the woods. Not that I'm paranoid or something. Lol
I keep one of those Perzl go/emergency lights in my pocket everyday and it’s saved my butt in power outages and earthquakes. Keep one in my hunting survival kit as well. Great little light! Love that it has a red led as well so I don’t blow out my natural night vision in the tent.
I've been carrying that same Petzyl light since 2009 I think. Goes inside a 1.5" elastic retainer loop under the lid of one of my small utility pouches on my vest I made. I've been making my own gear since the 1980s.
Those quick sticks are a great tip. I just ordered some.
Quite interesting. Thanks for the video!
Dermatone is also great for frost bite protection - I rely on it heavily here in Fairbanks, AK.
Not a hunter myself, but I really enjoyed this video. Good solid info always interests me and you seem to know what you are talking about. Best wishes for whatever comes next in your endeavors.
Thanks Peggy!
Nuthin' better than hard-earned experience!
Thanks for sharing!
You bet!
Way back, I read a story from a man who described starting
on some pack train of mules, high up. He said, he was just a kid.
And he kept getting old guys looking at his lower body,
would shake their head, mumble like in dissaproval.
Finally someone told him, how important it was to have a sharp knife ready, if an animal were to go over the side, to cut the rope quickly before it dragged others down. So a ridgid knife, of good
lenth, but the sheath should be ankored, like tucked into the
back pocket, or tied down....A loose hanging knife/sheath
could buckle, keeping the knife from comming out. That is how military fighting knives are strapped down, in
ridgid sheaths, for the same reasons. Emergency draw.
Great info. Love it
Thank you very much, I live in Florida on a sailboat on and off for many years, Almost everything you mentioned for Navigation, lighting ,knife, etc etc, same as sailing offshore. I remember sailing without any GPS, sure we made it but we also prayed a lot more then,, To go offshore or hiking without a GPS is plan crazy, IMHO, enjoyed the vid. very much. Cheers
Thanks Brice
Thank you!.....awesome video
I enjoyed your video. I honestly think this is the first one I have seen that had me nodding my head over and over saying that makes sense...
Great to see you back Cliff. As always some of the best info on western hunting that’s out there. Best wishes for this transition in your life.
Really appreciate it! thanks
Great video! Thank you! I'd love to see a video on how to find an outfitter (if that's what you call it), or guide, for a first hunt.
Great info! Thanks for sharing! Always learn a ton
Glad it was helpful!
That was really interesting. Thanks
Looking forward to your upcoming videos! +1 for the humangear nalgene lid.
Yeah, those things ae pretty much essential!
Great to see you back
Thanks!
Great to have u back
Thanks man!
Thank you, Mr. Gray!
Haven't hunted in years but much of your gear is good for camping, hiking, & bushcraft & survival.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
You too Jon! Thanks
I don't even hunt lol.... am a backpacker/survivalist/fisherman... Great info from this guy... Clearly hunting also helps survive 😂
Great video, thanks for sharing
I have that same Petzel light, I keep it in my pocked whenever I’m in the woods. That and a flashlight that connects to a head strap.
Carried a stari-pen for years too. Works great.
Those petzl lights are a lifesaver
Thank you for this video. Great advice and insights.
As a newish hunter, I am grateful for any and all advice and experience
Smart. Be a sponge, learn from others. Take what fits you and discard what doesn't.
One advantage of the Steripen is that you don't have to worry about the cold. Many water filters are destroyed by freezing.
good tip, thanks
I keep mine on a cord with a bic lighter around my neck. It's worth the instant filtration in my opinion.
Great pt
Awesome! Thank for sharing the great advice!
thanks Charles
Very good. I also like Buck Knives.
Cliff, great to see you’re still in the mountains. Ha ha. Always enjoy your videos and information. Hope to see you this fall.
Hey Ralph, great to hear from you man. Hope all is well.
I really enjoy your videos Cliff. Sounds like you have some great ideas for future videos. I’ve been looking forward to seeing what you had in mind for a part 2 in your mountain rifle setup video. Can’t wait to see more!
It's on my short list! thanks
I think you can find this is a universal list of item in every experienced backcountry hunters back. I have all the same things in different variations. My ‘go to’ knife is a Cold Steel Voyager large folder. I don’t use a bipod but instead use my trekking poles. K ok me of the necessities I’ve found the handiest is a Hilleberg Tarp 10. I don’t have a Garmin but use a Zoleo. Great video.
I think your right, pretty much essential items where everyone has their preference. Thanks for commenting!
Great video
Great video!
Hunting is really my subject but I love being outdoors. Great info. Great presentation.
Thanks!
Just found your channel. Great content. Great work.
Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Started watching your vids and very nice. I too have the petzl headlamp as a backup. Currently in my 'kill kit' but may place it in my bino harness for easy access if needed. Haven't heard of that sun protection which I need to look into.
Great video. Thank you.
Great review.
I'm so old school, and probably over twice your age; but it was interesting to see what sort of gear and gadgets are being used these days.
Sorry about your knees. I'm finally having to admit that age is catching up to me.
By the way, I still have the Buck knife I bought in 1972.
Subscribed.
👍
@@CliffGray Hey cliff, I dont know if you have made a video detailing this but I can't seem to find any content on it. I would like to get involved in guiding for a living and I am fairly young (20). Any pointers on where to start? how to establish yourself and how to strategize your business and when do you know your guiding services are enough to start charging for?
Love your selection of gear.
Pretty much what I carry. I especially liked the “ I carry 3-4 of these flashlights!” Lol.
I carry a couple road flares too as I have a penchant for getting lost late in the day. And it’s easy to make a fire when you don’t need one- and hard when you do…
Outstanding!
Thanks!
Cliff this is a older video but still a great one. I think, one of the first videos from witch I learned about your channel. Been following your tutorials ever since. Really liked the 1,500 dollar mountain rifle setup video. Also congrats on the Joe Rogan show. Keep up the good work. Just purchased my custom Buck 113 Ranger Skinner knife off the buck web site and followed up with a eBay purchase of Carl Thomas cross draw sheath. Keep posting the tutorials we are out here learning from you.
Thanks man! glad to hear they are helpful to you!
Very helpful vid. Thank you
Cliff- thank you for a very informative video- it could save my life…
Glad it was helpful! thanks!
Love your content. Back 46 yrs ago. I hunted woods from 50 yds - to 500. 1895 Winchester - 0 to 150 yds - 303 Brit --- P14 Enfield - 303 Brit - scoped - 150 to 300 yds. 300 to as far as I was willing to shoot. Paper got hammered a lot! LAST - 300 to 500 yds - A Lee-Enfield No4. welded action single shot - 7.62x51 - 308 Win. Bull barrel. Peep sights at 500 yds - I could cover the group with 2 playing cards.
Nice, informative video. Thanks. ...Alan 🇨🇱
Buck knives are awesome 420hc gets super sharp and their fit and finish is amazing for the price
first time listening to you, actually your knife sharpening vid was my first, very informative and thank you for sharing. got another sub
Thanks Zeke! 👍
Cliff, I really get a lot of great info from your clips. Keep up the great work!
Glad you like them! Thanks
Good stuff and great insight Cliff, thank you.
Nice video. I like your thought process.
I have a "bad knee" also that I especially feel on descents. I have a suggestion that worked for me. I bought an aftermarket, lightweight alloy, handlebar end (for mountain bikes) and just Allen-wrenched it to my trekking pole which gave me that L-handled lateral support I wanted for my hand to support my leg.
Love it. Great tip man, thanks for sharing.
I like to use 1 trekking pole. If you put your hand through the lanyard downwards then grab the handle you can put your weight into it.
I like the commet at the beginning; you know what you've used as it shows a lot of wear. I heard somewhere that the more you carry throughout the years, you reach a peak of max packout. After that point you kinda just shed off things as you know the tried and true peices of gear. The progression is almost like a pyramid shape, or bell curve. Good vid man!
Yes I hear ya, at some point you do start minimizing it to what you use. Thanks
I saw the title and figured maybe I should watch since I own property off grid in Alaska and will be moving up there part time after my pending retirement….
Very informative video, thank you for sharing all your experience with the why you used specific product. Regarding you iPhone, after eleven years iPhone only, I switched to Samsung Galaxy. Everything you mentioned about the iPhone is spot on, and also applies to the Samsung Galaxy as well. For me, after switching to Samsung Galaxy I experienced a tremendous improvement in productivity over the iPhone.
Thank you!!
Very helpful
Thank you CZcams algorithm for stumbling across your video. You remind me a lot of my dad in your gear uses/choices. He never was one to buy brand new top of the line but was still one to buy once, cry once. I can still remember all his trusty tools, hunting gear and apparel he used over the years much of which he still has and uses to this day. Solid video, look forward to seeing more.
Lastly, where'd you get that fantastic hat, sir?
Hi Tara, appreciate the feedback! thanks
A client gave me that hat years ago as a tip, it is a Kemo Sabe hat from a store in Aspen, CO
Thank you. J.
Well…. I think I’m an old badass but am glad I can admit/accept new learning. I’ve not done what you have by any stretch but I’m adapting based on some of your common sense information. Never too old to learn.
Best way to use hiking sticks w/ straps is to run your hand up through the strap and then back down grabbing the stick w/ straps between your palm and the stick grip. This gives you a stronger grip on the stick and it puts some of the weight on the straps.
Those walking sticks are a must have. I'm 47 with bad knees and my sticks have saved me many times. I never hike without them.
I'm there with ya!
Great video full of great information 👍
thanks Perry
Good to know about the steripen.
I've never known if it was a
functional thing or not.
I've used the Sawyers, and bleach
and boiling, and iodine, and the
commercial tablets. Used to just
drink straight from the natural
source many years ago, but I was
fortunate and never got sick. I
know somebody that did, and I
thought it was going to require
a medivac.
Most of the high altitude technology
doesn't apply for my situation, but it's always good to know
Thanks for the video
Thanks Max 👍
EMP/Solar Flares might have something to say about those electronics.... always have a topo and compass as backup! 👈
The thing I love about Nalgene bottles is they nest easily with my stainless steel cup
What kind of cup?
Brand name Bugaboo
Sorry to hear about your knees, I collapsed my arches a few years ago and have had all sorts of lower body issues till I bought some orthotic soles with arch support and they really helped re-align my bones and joints and nowadays I have greatly increased function and greatly reduced pain. Idk what all is going on with you but maybe look into it? I put them in my hiking shoes under the insoles and it's just next level comfort. Nice vid thx
Thanks man, I have started to use insoles and they seem to help.
Good info.
It was helpful. Thanks.
Glad I'm not the only one that struggled with my water system, I went from cheap plastic bottles that would leak all the time to expensive stainless bottles but certain juices would taste weird out of them and they had a narrow neck that was hard to clean, then I went to a cheap bladder that split and made a mess then to an expensive bladder that I had issues with the tube getting dirty and being impossible to clean and I finally settled on the same wide mouth nalgene as you. Just seems to work.
Yeah they do. Not ideal on some metrics, but I have had some wide mouth nalgenes for close to a decade without issue
@@CliffGray If you drop a full Nalgene onto a rock it will crack and leak, not as good vs shocks like that as some other options, but I am just careful and one is in an insulated cover anyways and I have dropped that one on concrete without it breaking before. I still think overall its about as good as it gets, combined with a stainless steel big cup/small pot thing for boiling.
Just found your channel hope you keep on posting videos....will watch the older ones....
glad you are enjoying the videos. thanks!
Nice list! I use a hiking pole always, very useful, like a third leg. Much more stability. After buying several expensive knives, I've loved my Morakniv black carbon Garberg the most. It's $70 and a beast. I also use a small Victorinox (sp?) for cooking/eating. I love my new Grayl filter and always carry an InReach Mini! Just found your channel. Subbed. Cheers!
👍thanks
Holy crow! He’s back! Knife sharpening vid was my bible for years! Cheers
😁👍👊
Nalegene bottles + a Capcap lid (by Humangear) is a great setup.
G'day, as TJ Willis says yep it does contain zinc down here anyone who goes outdoors uses a derivative of this. I found your site by accident and am so impressed with your approach and humility, I look forward to seeing the rest of your videos, cheers from down under down under (Tasmania)
Thanks Kevin!
Nice video, glad to have found your channel. I'll be checking out some of your videos. 🙂👍
Good deal! Hope you find them helpful. Thanks
I have a buck 113 on the way. I went to the website, and had them customize it with abit better steel. I like that size knife in a crossdraw sheath. Great when on horseback, and you can't get a knife out of pants pockets. Great choice!!
Which steel did you choose?
@@mrpops09 S30V
@@gulfcowboy819 thanks
Thank you sir
Nothing like experience. Learn from those who've done.