I will have to jump online with you guys once I beat the single-player mode.
(I've completed all the 4 star quests, about to go after Lagiacurus)

I've become addicted to this game, and I'm one Machalite Ore away from my first Long Sword.

What are your guys most challenging bosses up to this point?

I had a little trouble with Barroth ... but he is nothing compared to Gigginox.

If you run into this oversized cavern-bat on the Tundra, run far away and never look back.

Barroth could be dealt with easily by using pitfall traps. Although without them, and by yourself, it is very difficult. Especially if you don't have the best weapon you can get at that point. 

You're in for a hell of a fight. Took me 40 minutes with my Cataclysm (Great Sword)

How do I travel to Sandy plains w/o being on a mission.

**** Quest. Simply deliver the ticket provided after 5 minutes.

I have a question, highlight for spoiler: when encountering the Lagiacrus for the first time and you run away, the villagers say you may just enouncter the Lagiacrus in the sea areas from time to time. However, I never seen it again. Is it possible it randomly appears there or does it only appear after you've beaten it, like the other monsters?

Nope; after you beat him for the first time, he can appear when wandering Moga Woods.

Just like the Great Jaggi and that bird, then? Too bad. But I look forward to it wandering around. It's terrifying!

I was playing with someone online yesterday and he said that he's only 10 points away from HR9. He went offline before I could ask: How the hell can you tell when you're HR is going to increase?

I just got full Peco armor, man i love this game, the switch axe is a pretty usefull weapon. didn't think i would like using it so much

also i love trapping monsters now, its alot more stratgeic then the hunting. Capturing Qurupeco was alot of fun