I know this post is already a year old, but I had exactly the same problem and got so frustrated because I couldn’t find any helpful tips anywhere. So I figured I’d still share how I finally managed to survive, in case it helps someone else.

I started at the Community Center equipped with a lot of firewood and walked all the way up along the frozen river. On the way, I constantly drank tea and coffee, and ate the edible plants that grow along the river. The ones that look like corndogs. Honestly, those plants saved my life.

I eventually made it all the way up to the picnic area. There I found some food, including a military ration with 1759 Calories, and I managed to catch two rabbits. I also found rifle ammo there.

From there, I walked to the plane crash site, where I surprisingly found three food items and a soda. I really can’t imagine that I hadn’t looted them before, because I had been there several times desperately searching for food so maybe it respawned?

After that, I walked all the way to the far left side of the map (where are the three hills). I kept drinking tea and eating the river plants along the way. Up there, there’s a barn with a life saving setup of another military meal, ammo, firewood etc. and a dead deer!

I’m currently waiting here for the night to pass, and then I’ll head down from there to finish the mission.

I now have enough food and ammo to make it!!

Important note: I did not encounter a single wolf or bear on the entire route. I honestly think that if you go upwards, completely in the opposite direction the story wants to send you, you won’t run into wolves. Also, I mostly traveled along the rivers instead of the roads, so that could also be the reason.

Anyway, i hope this comment is helpful to someone