I can't help with using poles. But I see a few people every year in the Thorofare country backpacking with poles. I have no doubt they help carry a load. What I find funny is everybody I see with them has their head down looking at the trail and they have no clue of their surroundings. My pack string of mules and I have slipped up on more then one, even coming the opposite direction on the trail, before they saw me.

It is even better when they have poles and earphones.

Last edited by Ralphie; 01/11/13.