I rarely use poles. I've even carried them for testing on a weekend backpack in which we did 9000 feet of gain. I would have gladly let someone else use them, they usually seem more hindrance, unless the snow is deep.
This was me (though not that much elevation gain). I bough some nice Black Diamond poles and really tried to like them, especially since one of my knees is not in great shape and acts up on downhills. I just can't seem to use them. Poles are too much of a hinderence for me. Of course part of that is I constantly hike with a dog leash in one hand, and my pooch continually gets her leash caught up in the poles.
