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We scaled this small hill both on our interview selection day and then again during our first induction week. A hugely popular short walk, in a very busy national park location, Conic faces huge challenges in terms of footfall and the damage it is doing to the designated pathway to the top. We talked about ideas for its improvement, discussed ways we could take part and saw first hand - through observing walkers - where some of the main challenges lay. It is also a good example of old and new stonework methods so we were able to discuss pros and cons to each.
We also, in terms of exploration and conservation, used the hill as a place to learn some of our first, basic stone handling skills, using pinch bars and other tools to safely move stone into desired locations. Again we attempted to leave to no trace of our efforts on departure, preserving the natural look of the landscape as much as possible.
While no work of our own is scheduled for Conic Hill, there is some potential for volunteer and other work there with partner agencies, so we may be able to get involved with conserving it, or helping improving it at least, at a later date.
It is probably the peak I have climbed most in the area, so I already had/have a fondness for it, but that has only increased through gaining further knowledge and carrying out some work on it.

We visited this iconic small peak, within Loch Lomond National Park, to learn about and see some of the recent pathway improvement works carried out. It was somewhere I had climbed before but not in a work capacity and also not on the new path route. This provided a fresh insight into the Ben and the challenges it faces.
We reached the summit and posed for team photos, as well as discussing our work with a few interested passers by.
We are expected to return to Ben A'an, in a work capacity, later in our course to work on a section of the pathway which has 'failed', helping clear brash to create an alternative route.
I am looking forward to that challenge, when it comes, and was impressed by the sheer scope of ambition in the new path route, and how much it helps - for the most part - more people be able to access, enjoy and climb it.

This experience took us outside of Loch Lomond National Park, as part of an outdoor safety and navigation course. We were shown skills such as navigation and map reading, and set various challenges by a guest expert. It was a new location for me, rolling hills and reservoirs and in exploring it we later came across a delightful waterfall tucked away under the hills, which we spent some time in and underneath, taking photographs.
Our efforts to conserve the area were and will be limited to ensuring we 'left no trace', from taking all rubbish including foodstuffs, away with us after the walk.
We shared some of our experiences on social media, thanking the course leader for his efforts and the knowledge he passed on. The course should help us going forward, in terms of some basic navigation and safety skills while working outdoors in the area.

On these two peaks, over consecutive day long activities, we climbed to the summit, taking tools such as spades with us, and then worked on the way back down to carry out clearance work, known informally as 'drain runs', to remove an build ups of soil/stone and other material which may be clogging drains and other path features, potentially caused damage and erosion.
We shared some of our efforts, and the reasons behind them, to passers by.
We learned of the importance of 'leaving no trace' by re-using our spoil if possible, if not sensitively hiding/landscaping into surroundings.
It was a sense of satisfaction to see water draining away again through many of the previously blocked path features, knowing less damage was likely to be caused as a result.

We stayed in a bunkhouse at the base of the Ben, learning about its various uses and also a wicker outbuilding constructed and maintained by staff and volunteers.
The next morning we were given a walking talk, up the Ben, by Alisdair, the ranger for Ben Lomond. He explained the history of the Ben, from iron reserve extraction to the current peat bog restoration efforts. He also showed historical images of pathway damage and degradation to contrast with the modern day improvements we could see with our own eyes, carried out by National Trust for Scotland's upland pathway team and volunteers.
We reached the summit of the iconic Ben, in warm sunshine, and posed for photographs on route. We saw crows and lapwing, among other wildlife. We also interacted with passers by, member of the public and tourists, explaining a bit about who we were and our work. Later in the contract we are expected to carry out work of our won to conserve and enhance a section of the pathway, so it was a good insight into some of the challenges this iconic and well-used Ben faces.
The day left me with a sense of satisfaction, both at reaching the summit and the physical outdoor exercise it provided, but also satisfaction in learning more about the history and current challenges that the famous peak experiences.