Fell Top Assessors Back For Winter

The Lake District's two FellTop Assessors - the men who climb Helvellyn every day over the winter  - are poised to return for this season starting in early December.

Former marine commando Craig Palmer and ex-hotel manger Jon Bennett work alternate seven-day shifts, climbing the mountain every day to report on fell top conditions for the Lake District National Park’s Weatherline. Their comments on snow conditions, freezing levels windspeeds and the state of the paths high on the mountain are a crucial aid to safety and are accessed by around half a million people a year either by telephone or one the web.


The pair briefly hit the headlines earlier this year when Craig described a lethal combination of wind, ice and snow as the worst conditions for 30 years - over the following two weeks there were two fatal accidents high on the mountain.

Lake District National Park’s chief executive and avid mountain man Richard Leafe says the assessors play a vital role in contributing to safety on the fells.

“I’ve been out with Craig and Jon and seen the fantastic work they do. I want to encourage responsible winter walking and highlight the fragility of these high places, particularly in respect of climate change.

“I suspect milder temperatures in the valleys are tempting more people on the hills. They are often unprepared for the conditions they may find and unaware weather patterns can shift very quickly.”

He went on to warn that Mountain Rescue Teams are often called out too easily when things don't go to plan.

You can access Weatherline at www.lake-district.gov.uk/weatherline or by calling 08700 55 0575. The fell top assessments should be back from next week, but the page always carries the latest five-day Lake District forecast.