I carry 1 pole. While not as good as 2 for climbing, it's far better than none. I find it too clumsy to mess with 2 and a gun at the same time, plus hopefully I'll have llamas in tow for packing meat out. 1 can be used in any number of ways as a shooting stick. It just takes a bit of practice at home on getting into positions bracing the stick with a knee or whatever.

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell

It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.