I’d be curious to know, given your experience, whether you might recommend something for watching further down range, say a half mile.
Just one thought on buying a spotting scope. They don't need to be as sturdy and lightweight as a good pair of field binoculars because you're not going to risk destroying them on long, arduous hikes in difficult terrain. That said, I would be willing to spend more on a high-quality scope. Good optics are important for distant viewing.
You won't regret the additional spending here.