Paddy and Jim are the latest recruits to the team summitting Helvellyn over winter to provide important weather updates for walkers
The Lake District National Park welcomes two fresh faces to its Fell Top Assessor team.
Paddy Cave and Jim Evans will join Zac Poulton as the trio hiking Helvellyn every day throughout winter, a service now in its 37th year.
Fell Top Assessors summit the Lake District peak between December and March each year to obtain a detailed ground condition report for keen winter walkers.
Coupled with Met Office reports, their ‘boots on the ground’ weather updates provide a detailed overview of conditions each day, so hikers can be as prepared as possible when venturing out onto the fells.
Both Paddy and Jim are highly experienced winter climbing instructors and the start of their journey as Fell Top Assessors is a fitting ‘full circle’ moment for the friends, who first met 10 years ago skiing on Helvellyn.
Speaking about becoming a Fell Top Assessor, Paddy said: “For me it was really good timing in terms of my time of life. I’ve been on expeditions overseas and I was always coming back to the Lakes – the Lakes has remained home.”
Dad-of-two Paddy works as a self-employed instructor and has also led military veterans on outdoor expeditions as a form of mental health support. He’s also spent time travelling to lead expeditions in the Pyrenees, Norway and across the Himalayas.
He said: “I’ve always found myself in my element in winter on the hills, regardless of the weather and conditions. Helvellyn is undoubtedly the mountain I’ve spent the most time on or around!
“Winter on the mountains is an amazing and special time and sharing the experience and adventure with friends and clients has always been very motivating. Finishing winter routes in the Lakeland Fells by head torch are still some of my best climbing memories.”
Jim, who moved to Cumbria at 18, says he “fell in love with the Lakes” as a keen fellsman. A volunteer for Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, Jim has also led eight expeditions to Arctic Greenland and has spent many years educating others in how to safely enjoy the winter mountains.
Jim said: “I’ve always thought the Weatherline and Fell Top Assessor programme is a really good service and I wanted to give back to that.
“It’s the social nature of possibility – I’m skilling people up to access and enjoy the outdoors and that’s what gives me my kicks.”
Far from put off by the thought of braving Helvellyn in wintery conditions, Jim says they both look forward to the challenge. He said: “I’m looking forward to turning out in all kinds of weathers.
“One thing we have in common is we really love being in the mountains in all conditions and having that close relationship with one place. All three of us are specialists in winter weather, variations and conditions – it’s probably a bit sad!”
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.
If you would like to book a Winter Skills Course with one of the Fell Top Assessors, please visit the Weatherline website.
Look out for the Weatherline reports, which will begin from Monday, 2nd December 2024.
