Drop bar 29er or Rigid MTB?

[XXtwindad]

I ride mostly fire roads in the Bay Area. Very little singletrack. It's mostly steep climbs and equally steep descents. Rutted fire roads. Anyone have experience with a drop bar 29er and a rigid MTB and can offer a comparison?

I'm guessing the drop bars would be better for climbing and flat bar better for descents, but I'd like to get input from the Forum. I can go either way on a build...

Thanks.