Thanks guys.
One "expert" commented that poles take 10-12% of the weight off your knee. Of course, that is transfered to your upper body and you subsequently use more energy. With the shape that my knee is in, I think I'm willing to transfer what ever weight I can to my upper body. I've got to baby this thing if I'm going to continue our anual pilgrimige to the mountains for the next 30 years.
Time to start shopping for another piece of gear. When will it end....
