I started without the first lather rubbed in. More often than not I add that step. If you were to wet your face afterward you'd see there's still a lot of soap there-which I think may be the point of it. A base coat.
As Ive mentioned a hundred times I use a short, thin strop so it's easy to roll. For a couple days(at least) you can usually go without stropping. Add a couple more days and I've found it's just easier to take another razor. Because if you take a strop for backwood rambles you will need to protect it from dust, dirt, grime, sand etc.
Shaving out of a plastic mirror is imperfect. for a while I had one with a crox coated leather pad glued to the backside. I ordered a Vecto1 signal mirror 2x3. I dont know that I should try to shave with it or not(or really even if i made the right choice for signal:))
Back on topic for a minute I like cold water, low prep shaves. It's not that much trouble or pack weight if you practice the same methods at home. I just haven't reached that mirrorless plateau yet....actually I'd like all my kit to be more perfect; only the cold water aspect is 100 percent unimproveable(sp)