The absence of wildling-White Walker encounters during their journey to the Wall in Game of Thrones is a complex issue that covers geography, timing, character focus, and narrative structure. However, as we delve into the canon, we can see that such encounters indeed occurred, introducing a layer of intrigue and depth to the narrative.

Geography and Timing

The wildlings typically traveled along the southern and eastern regions of Essos, which might not have overlapped with the territories where White Walkers were most active. The White Walkers primarily emerged from the far North beyond the Wall and their activities were often tied to specific events or objectives related to the Night's Watch and their mission to confront the living threats. This geographical separation played a significant role in the lack of encounter.

Focus on the Living

Wildlings were deeply concerned with their own survival and the immediate threats posed by the Night's Watch and the harsh environment. Their journey involved navigating dangers such as harsh weather, predators, and militarized forces of the Night's Watch. These immediate concerns often kept them from engaging with the supernatural threats of the White Walkers.

Narrative Structure

From a storytelling perspective, Game of Thrones focused on specific character arcs and plot developments. The wildlings' interactions with the Night's Watch and their struggles with the living formed the central narrative. The White Walkers served as a looming threat, becoming more pronounced as the story progressed, but they remained a background element.

Strategic White Walker Actions

The White Walkers may have been more focused on strategic goals such as raising the dead to build their army or targeting specific groups that posed a threat to them rather than roaming freely in search of encounters with wildlings. This strategic approach allowed them to control the threat-response cycle, ensuring that the wildlings faced constant danger even when directly encountering them was unlikely.

Corrections and Real Encounters

However, as the story progressed, it is clear that wildling-White Walker encounters did occur. For instance, Tormund Giantsbane, a wildling leader, was very clear about the encounters. The wildlings traveled with torches for light, but the White Walkers would pick off stragglers every day and night. They would sneak in, kill a few more, and leave the unpleasant task of dealing with the wights to the families in the morning. Tormund had to put down one of his own sons this way, emphasizing the constant danger faced by the wildlings regardless of their travel plans.

In conclusion, the absence of wildling-White Walker encounters during the journey to the Wall in Game of Thrones is due to a combination of strategic planning, natural geography, and the focus of the narrative. However, the canon leaves no doubt that such encounters did occur, adding a layer of procedural and strategic depth to the story.