RYAN HAMILTON
Mountain path repairer working with OATS
Ryan founded his own environmental services business last year and is now working with the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) to repair the path on Ben Vane in the Arrochar Alps. Work began on the Munro in May, after a Mend Our Mountains fundraising target of £40,000 was reached.
I’ve been a hillwalker for as long as I can remember. My dad had me out in the hills aged five and I remember doing my first Munro at that age. That’s why I’m so passionate about what I do.
My team started work on Ben Vane in April and our first task was to bag up 300 tonnes of stone – by hand. It’s a hugely physical job, so we don’t need to go to the gym. If any of my guys did, I would know they’ve not been working hard enough!
The plan is to build the path on Ben Vane from the top and work down. Weather permitting, we hope to work through winter and have the path finished by spring. Starting work at the top of a Munro means a rough commute though. We have a 1.2km walk up a very steep mountain to every day, carrying tools and being prepared for every weather.
Currently, there is no path on Ben Vane – just a trodden sheep line. It’s untamed, wild and in desperate need, especially as it’s a very popular Munro.
Some of the erosion is making parts of the route inaccessible. There are sections of sheer, exposed bedrock at a 35° angle, which is unassailable, or peat hags up to waist-height. If the area was left, it would just degrade further and scar the landscape more than it already is.
I am proud to protect the environment. My son recently turned one and I want to take him up this mountain when he’s older. But if we do nothing, nobody is going to be able to enjoy these hills.
I think we can take our right to roam for granted, but given the huge amount of people that enjoy the outdoors I don’t think we put an awful lot back into it.
A big chunk of money is going into this project on Ben Vane, and I want to make sure our work is long-lasting. The new path should be good for at least five years, hopefully 10 and, ideally, 15 years or more. But ultimately, we need to mitigate against future costs by ensuring the next time the path needs work it’s for maintenance rather than complete repair. People can help with that by reporting any erosion damage or problem areas they spot on Scottish hills to OATS via their ‘Adopt a Path’ scheme.
I’d never discourage anyone from exploring the hills and going off-path but we need to have a wee bit of respect and consideration for the environment – it won’t stop anyone from getting that great shot for Instagram! outdooraccesstrustforscotland.org.uk