NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM!
I used for years just regular ski poles. They worked just fine. I like the strenght of the entire pole, because I had to cheat on my way down the hill. My knees are both re-constructed ACL jobs and I still have lot of trash in them, so any relief I get from distributing my weight around the better for me.
Today, I use the Black Diamond extensions. They primary are sold as backcountry ski poles... but since I do both... I picked some up. When I am ready to hunt, I can slip them into my pack and start going into thick terrain without my poles sticking up like antennas and catching on every branch.
The biggest reason, I would encourage you to go with some kind of trekkers or ski poles that that you can help give a little push off from them as you go up.
Go up the stairs, just walk
Now grab banister and hold as you walk up... notice the extra push as you climb.
To this day they go where I go any time any where. I do alot of up and downhill steep stuff. Too bad they don't sponsor!
Midnight