Actually I've thought about this some more and an idea occurred to me for people that are concerned about cost and weight-bearing ability. A while back Trailrunner posted about a set of homemade Carbon Fiber trekking poles he made. They are very light but apparently very strong. The key to their strength, I think, is that they are not adjustable. I think it's the internal locking mechanism on poles that is the weakest part of any pole. So if you know the length you want (and you aren't one of those people who likes to lengthen poles for going downhill and shorten them for going uphill) then you could make a pair like Trailrunners.

As I recall he got the carbon fiber poles from a website for kite builders.

Trailrunner, you care to comment?

Heber