Hi Nat, personally I think there's a real walking pole craze going on nowadays. People would use three if they could. I have to admit that one is absolutely necessary, if only to have a third leg in difficult situations, or ward of unfriendly dogs and who knows what...

I think two poles are only necessary for balance when you're quickly going downhill, or fording some burn in spate in the Highlands. Also, as I found out last year, if you hurt both knees and you have two days to go to get from Strathan over Sourlies to Inverie, it's handy to drag yourself across the sludge.

All this said, except for these exceptional circumstances, I *never* use poles when simply walking. It tires me both physically and mentally as I get the impression I'm dragging a pole with me, and the bloody thing always goes wher it shouldn't when I'm taking a pic. But make sure you got a telescopic one in your backpack, maybe two if you're alone.

I'll check out which ones I have tomorrow. Don't let them sell you this hyper-sophisticated spring-inside hyper-softened grip stuff. The ones with a spring inside are only necessary for older people to cushion the joints, but they decrease stability. Just make sure they're telescopic, lightweight, that they have this little plate at the end for muddy soil, and maybe a grip that is slightly bent. In long distances, you may feel the difference at yr wrist, but it depends on a person's hand.