The longest serving fell top assessor in the Lake District has hung up his boots after 16 years.
Jon Bennett has climbed Helvellyn 778 times to provide safety reports – including several Christmas Day shifts.
He has now retired from the role.
Jon said: “I leave, proud to have been the longest serving fell top assessor so far, having started in December 2008.
“People often ask if I get bored of ascending the same fell, but the changing weather conditions, light, under boot conditions and fellow walkers one meets makes each ascent unique.
“The most memorable was when a Brockenspectre accompanied me the whole way along Striding Edge. This phenomenon occurs when one is walking in the sun and one’s shadow is cast upon lower cloud – in that case covering Red Tarn. A truly magical experience.
“I have found myself questioning if I really want to give up this special and unique job but this year, two things have changed for me.
“Firstly, the number of days of driving, horizontal hail, or rain and secondly, the hill is beginning to get steeper! Thus, although sad to be leaving it’s now time to ascend the fells on my days off and on fine, pleasant days! As well as not being as quick with the advancing years, I’m also becoming softer with age.
“Although I am retiring from the assessor role, I certainly have absolutely no intention whatsoever in hanging up my boots just yet!”
Lake District National Park Authority colleague and mountain rescue team member Kath Jackson said: “Thank you to Jon for all his hard work over the past 16 years. As a mountain rescue volunteer, I know that the rescue teams really appreciate the contribution that the fell top assessor team make, helping people to plan for safe winter adventures.
“Along with all my Lake District National Park colleagues and mountain rescue colleagues I’d like to wish Jon all the very best for the future.”
The Lake District National Park Authority will recruit for Jon’s replacement later in the year.
