I have read that Browning/dieing Leaves on the lower part of the plant is normal. So how far up the plant is this normal? I have browning leaves 4 feet up or so. (Second year Chinook).
strip off all those leaves a few feet up from the ground. it's just a stairway of feeding for bugs, mildew, and other stuff you don't want. just a couple bines will only take a few minutes.