My permadeath run before this one ended in the mountains while i was in troll armor (wolves). i had cleared one crypt but was having trouble with others because there were spawners and elite draugr in the entrance areas. One had a 2 star archer ( couldn't take more than one hit). Thought I was gonna die and jumped out with <10HP several times. I didnt have enough iron for armor and figured I was already taking chances anyway. I decided i should try to sneak some silver and I could then overpower the crypts. The mountain area I was near was just way too busy with golems wolves and drakes. I should have just backed out, but the weather had been bad for a couple of days and I still had some time left on my potion (i couldnt just waste it!), so I got impatient and stretched the search a little too far. In retrospect, I should have continued the search for more accessible crypts instead.

My new run has been similar but I did it by the book and took iron armor into the mtns. It has been much less stressful. I recommend doing it in the conventional order. The thing I had been most worried about was a wolf hunt, i recommend always being wary about that. Always have at least a simple wood fort within running distance and wall off each of your silver mines.

I used portals so that helped me, but I am not sure I would have even persisted without portals given the boss locations I have on this map seed. GL with your effort.

But you have inspired me. I think I'll try a no portals run next.