Hi H750,
The winds aloft were strong and against (at least for the first third of the leg), with cloudbase (below freezing) between 2000 and 3000amsl. The plan was to remain VMC (thus filing VFR, and staying below cloud) until approximately that 1/3 point, and then to climb. As mentioned in the report, we planned to either maintain visual contact (fly around any obstacles) or if in any doubt, to nevertheless climb (aircraft was FIKI capable) to the MSA. I do not know why it went wrong, though I have my theories (which are partly described in the report).
It's perhaps important to realise that the ground was covered in millions of small trees providing great ground reference except for/until the hill which was the only area for miles with no features whatsoever.