The cliffs are safer than the ground. You will never have to worry about a soldier while up a rock. Seekers, despite having wings, aren't very good at following you over jagged terrain. (Found that out while trying to bring them to a dvergr camp.) You're more likely to see the gjall because you are higher up. If you can fight them from the same level, as in they're not above you, they don't drop ticks on you.

You will get swarmed if you get close to a mine while down on the flat ground. It's a good indicator that a mine is nearby.

Embrace your inner mountain goat, and learn to carefully slide down to the next ledge. The cape made very little difference to me because I was already used to getting back down safely. (Disclaimer: my wisplight was doubled in range, so if you can't see below you enough to find a safe path down, then yeah, complaints are fully justified.)