Fell top weather updates provided by mountaineering experts throughout winter are “vital” for safety, following an estimated 900 callouts to mountain rescue teams in the Lake District.
Fell Top Assessors Zac Poulton, Paddy Cave and Jim Evans summit Helvellyn in the Lake District every day from the start of December until the end of March to provide boots on the ground weather readings and winter walking advice.
Employed by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), Zac, Paddy and Jim’s reports are shared on
https://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/, to help winter walkers best understand what conditions they can expect.
Fell Top Assessor Zac said: “The conditions on the summits can be very different to those in the valleys. If you’re going walking over winter, please consider:
- Am I confident I have the knowledge and skills for the day?
- Do I know what the weather will be like?
- Do I have the right gear?
“If conditions don’t look right when you arrive, there’s no shame in turning back as the fells will always be there another day.”
Their winter season starts after Lake District Search and Rescue Mountain Association (LDSAMRA) report a 10 percent year-on-year rise in the numbers of callouts received across the region. In 2025 by December it is estimated there will have been around 900 callouts for Lake District Mountain Rescue teams, 50 percent of which are considered “avoidable”.
Nick Owen, Joint Operations Lead for LDSAMRA said: “It’s great to have the Fell Top Assessors’ providing these vital weather updates, educating people about the on-the-ground conditions. We all want our hills to be enjoyed by as many people as possible and safely, so they can return to enjoy them repeatedly.”
As well as sharing the important weather updates through the Lake District Weatherline website and on @LakesWeather on X, influencers will be sharing the important safety advice with their own audiences to help spread the message and prevent avoidable callouts to mountain rescue teams.
Throughout the season, Fell Top Assessors also provide winter skills courses, which help attendees to gain confidence while winter walking, learning about equipment like crampons and ice axes, and improving their skills. Find out more:
https://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/winter-skills-courses
