Well I don't know how you progressed, but it's essentially the same thing with the frost resistance capes from the mountains or plains. You still need to find a bunch of soft tissue and probably more extractors so you get enough material for all the gear and food. It's just a matter of prioritization to me.

Originally posted by Empada:

having a potion using honey, feathers, cloudberry and barley would be a good middle ground.

Little too easy IMO. Needs to have at least one mistlands ingredient, probably royal jelly instead of honey, and maybe even sap. The upcoming patch is going to reduce difficulty already, both in and out of mist.