There is quite a bit of RNG in map creation. "Clearning" the first thing you see, you are leaving yourself exposed to maximum randomness. Get a boat and sail till you actually see 2-3 crypts.

Also circle around the biome a little, good things usually need some space to spawn (and some distance from center).

Valheim is a game of food and gameknowleage. You dont need better gear you need info. People often play in troll armor till much later.

If you havent already, find turnip seeds and then swamp becomes MUCH more reasonable.

You can go mountain, placing campfires, finding caves to fight in. Its not an uncommon strat. Problem is that if you are pepega enough to get stuck here, its not gonna get better up there either.