One advantage of the adjustable lingth is when a crutch is needed. With "Slip & Fall" being one of the often causes of back country injuries, a make shift crutch may be of some help on the limp out.

You can screw a 1" x 1" x 3/4" Schedule 80 PVC Tee on the threaded end. Fine tune the length and you have a reasonable "CRUTCH".