I recently started using the collapsible poles on hikes with lots of hills. They seem to reduce the punishment my knees take, especially with a heavy pack. There is greater fatigue to the upper body. But what the heck. It's a good workout.

For the hike Sherpadog is making, judging from the photos, a hand carved staff from a branch picked up along the way should do just fine.

I find the poles are somewhat of a nuisance on flat, level terrain. There might be some advantage on a really long hike over flat ground. But I haven't done one of those in a while.