Two new Lake District Fell Top Assessors have completed their first summit of Helvellyn.
The service is now in its 37th year and sees the Fell Top Assessors make the 950m climb up the peak every day between December and March to provide important weather updates, helping keep winter walkers informed and safe.
This year is the first season for newly recruited Paddy Cave and Jim Evans, who join Zac Poulton in his eighth season.
One of the team will climb Helvellyn every day from now until Easter, including Christmas Day, to give ‘boots on the ground’ daily weather reports of conditions.
Paddy, Jim and Zac today ascended the peak to take weather readings including average windspeed, maximum wind gust, air temperature, wind chill and wind direction.
Weatherline reports, coupled with the weather forecast, are essential reading for anyone heading out for winter walking.
Zac said: “The Fell Top Assessor reports are a key source of information for helping people stay safe on the Lake District fells through the winter months.
“Conditions can regularly change rapidly and can be as challenging as anywhere in the world with storm force winds, blizzards, driving rain, poor visibility and white outs. Even the spectacular blue sky days can be challenging with hard snow and ice underfoot requiring crampons and ice axe for safe travel.
“We endeavour to create an accurate and easily understood picture of conditions on the high mountains to assist walkers, skiers and climbers in making good decisions when planning their adventures.
“Combined with the national park and mountain rescue’s Be Adventure Smart initiative the aim is to increase people’s enjoyment and safety in the hills.”
Jim said: “As a member of the Ambleside/Langdale Mountain Rescue Team, I see first-hand the serious incidents that can occur if the appropriate precautions aren’t taken.
“Our message is simple, we want everyone to be prepared and safe, and to remember there’s no shame in turning back if conditions aren’t right – the fells will still be there the next day.”
As well as providing the important Weatherline service, Paddy, Jim and Zac will deliver Winter Skills Courses throughout the season, guiding people up the mountain to teach the skills of snowcraft needed for winter walking in the fells and mountains of the UK.
