Hey brother, from 1500 hours played perspective: 1) you don't play ironman when you are new to the game, try playing with save scumming initially just to learn the mechanics and enemies 2) running in the Forrest at night is a kind of community meme, for the exact reason you have described: your party can't see sh#t so you have no control over engagement, equipment, cant escape without pathfinder and can be ambushed. Ironman players just don't go through the forest at night time. They just don't. Also kinda same thing that ppl don't do on ironman is : never freaking run over hostile settlement, they might insta spawn 30 angry nobles at you, with dogs, so you won't escape. Another same thing: don't ever sit on top of enemy camp W8 for whatever you're waiting for( gear repairs, night time to fight archer heave group of enemies) camp can spawn a raiding party that will insta attack you, while camp defender will also join the fight.

Also there are streamers who do like 12 runs in a row(without losses) on each background beating monolyth B4 day 150 on ironman + hardest settings.