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why are you using v1.29.1+k3s2? That is not the latest 1.29 patch release available.

Oh my god. I can't believe I didn't try that.. 'just assumed using the same patch version everywhere would do without considering potential fixes made in later versions.. I first upgraded to the latest 1.29 and then to the latest 1.30 release for good measure. The node joined almost immediately. Thank you for your help and essentially wasting your time 😅🙏