Log Pads and Platforms
Log pads are used when slopes are steep, on rough ground. The quick and easy one is a single log across the slope for your rear skid to a solid mat of smaller ones. They can be slippery! Platforms are still made from logs, but are much more refined. The problem with them all is, you can mostly only land one way, and there may be no room to turn once you get there, so approaching with the wind in totally the wrong direction is often the only choice. In such cases, you need much more anticipation than normal, and the willingness to throw things away much earlier. Of course, you don’t actually have to land, but it’s often worth a try. As with landing on rigs or ships, it may be possible to approach to the hover next to it and move sideways on. Here is a typical log arrangement (note the larger one at the back):

Summary
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Mountains take no sh*t from nobody.

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Make turns away from rising ground.

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Use the eye-level pass as much as possible.

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Use controls for different functions, collective for speed, etc.

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Take off as cleanly as possible to avoid getting snagged

Night Flying
Night flying can be pleasant—there's less traffic, you tend not to go in bad weather and the air is denser, so the engine and flying controls are more responsive. However, the tendency is not to allow single-engined night flying on Commercial Air Transport, but occasionally positioning may take place with the pilot only on board. This doesn't make it any safer, but at least reduces the number of questions in the House. Don't forget there is no VFR at night. Well, not in UK, anyway.