I don't suggest going up and down the mountain every evening. On a big mountain, that could be a large chunk of the day, and you could easily get stuck in a snow storm, which exacerbates the problem.

My preferred method for starting in the mountains is to spend the first day in the mountain scoping it out. If I find a stone tower, or even a wood building ruin, I quickly patch it up enough to make shelter and build a fire. At that point you have a safe base to work from.

After you patch up a base, you can drop a portal, and whatever you want to place there. You can use that to venture out and further explore, and also get the mats for a cape, which will make life easier and safer.

I like to carry up all the mats for a full processing station for the silver. If you refine most of it and make your items right there, it saves time and hassle IMO. Alternatively, you need to haul all the silver down the mountain and ship it to your base, which also delays the amount of time it takes to get the cape and other upgrades.