I was using a "rolled" one folded up as the back pad for my Kumo but it's just rolled for the hyperlite. I have a couple shock cords with toggles that hold it upright next to the back pocket. I think I would have gotten the folded version for the Kumo but they were out of them last time I checked. I guess the folded one is quite a bit longer, but I haven't ever really wished the ones I have were any bigger.

I have a pair of black diamond alpine carbon cork adjustable poles, which I got because they’re famously durable, and they have proven to be famously durable! I use them in every season and for every purpose and no problems so far. But these days honestly you can pick up a perfectly serviceable pair of whatever scrabble rack brand amazon has on sale and they’ll be fine. Mainly my advice is get telescoping collapsible ones that have three sections, and clamps, not the rotating-lock kind. And probably aluminum.

I carry a Katadyn Befree, which is a 1 liter soft bottle with a hollow tube filter that screws into the top of it. You can drink directly out of it, or filter into a smartwater bottle or whatever. I generally carry a 1L plastic smartwater bottle for mixing flavored drinks in, and I have a 2 liter soft bottle that also accepts the befree filter which I fill up at camp so I don’t have to go back and forth to the water source repeatedly. So the most I can carry is 4 liters, but even if I think it’s gonna be half a day between water sources it’s so easy to refill, I don’t generally hike with more than a liter or so.

I have a telescoping tenkara rod (https://dragontailtenkara.com/collections/rods), which I think is the highest utility per ounce of weight available in fishing gear—my whole rig is about four ounces. I'll take it along for more casual hikes where I'm going to be near ponds and streams, and not trying to cover any great distance. I've done a couple cross-Baxter State Park hikes and I always bring it on those. But for a through hike, I wouldn't bring it, I won't have time to use it. There's always someone but I would say hardly any through hikers are carrying fishing gear.

I walked part of the Colorado Trail (4 weeks-ish trail) in proximity to a guy who had a standard issue fishing rod and full size frying pan with him, along with a small dog. He did indeed fish many days and at points caught enough bass and trout to give away to nearby campers, and obviously made a conscious choice to bring the extra weight. Definitely a "for maniacs/hippie weirdos only" kind of thing.

Either bother your backpacking friend to hook you up with loaner gear (they have plenty, believe me) and take you out for a night or two, or find a local course. Places like REI are devoted to the new backpacker to REI customer funnel, and they generally either run such things or know who does. Is there anything near you in here: https://www.rei.com/events/a/camping-and-hiking-backpacking? If not, look around at your local shops. Another option is to find and hire a guide to take you on a trip, the process for which varies enormously by location. But in general you can save a huge amount of error and hassle by just letting an expert take you on a trip and show you how to do stuff. Also you can save a lot of money on gear by borrowing the service's while you figure out if you even like it or not.

If you're in a city of any size, there will definitely be some outdoors groups where you can make hiking friends that if they are like me have plenty of gear to loan out and can help teach you the ropes. If the internet doesn't help you find them, the local outfitter should be able to hook you up. We have a zillion of them here in Atlanta, for example.

I also have The Two, because it has room for me and the dog! I love it, which is why I'm so confident about the One. It's good to know they work on bad ground too, I'm sure we'll have some awkward campsites.

I looked up Big Rock Little Rock. Genius! What a great tip, thank you.

I have done this and it's doable but you end up awfully wet in that thing from condensation. I mean I always carry one for emergencies but I wouldn't want to count on it for more than that.