The search is on for two Fell Top Assessors for a top job

The search is on for two new members of the Lake District National Park’s Fell Top Assessor team.

Between December and April the team take it in turns to ascend one of England’s highest peaks, Helvellyn, to take weather readings and assess winter walking and climbing conditions.

Now mountain professionals, who want to provide first-hand, boots on the ground weather updates and safety advice for fell-walkers during the winter, are invited to apply to be a Fell Top Assessor.

Fell Top Assessors also instruct on winter skills courses, so applicants will need a Winter Mountain Leader qualification and ideally be a Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor.

The two successful candidates will join an existing Fell Top Assessor, based in Glenridding near Ullswater, to work on a part time rotational basis over the winter months.

Now in its 37th year, the service plays a key role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of winter walkers, runners, climbers and skiers. They can face four seasons in one day when out on the Lake District fells.

The Fell Top Assessor reports are published on the Lake District Weather Line website and they are shared on @lakesweather, which has nearly 30,000 ‘X’ followers.

Zac Poulton, who has been a Fell Top Assessors since 2017 said: “The ethos of the service is giving quality information about conditions so people can make good decisions about their activities in the mountains. In winter, the mountain is different every day, it’s a fresh canvas for those who are out and about. It’s the best job for anyone who is interested in the outdoors. You get to enjoy the Lake District fells throughout the winter, meet and help people. Fell Top Assessors also run popular winter skills courses. These help participants to make those crucial first steps into the winter environment in a safe and supportive atmosphere. All in all, I get a great sense of job satisfaction knowing that I am helping to keep people safe on the fells.” added Zac.

For more details of the role and how to apply please visit the Lake District National Park website, about us, careers page - https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/careers

There’s also a video of a day in the life of a Fell Top Assessor which can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eln5fh6DsA

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on Monday 19 August 2024

Fell top facts

• The job involves a walk up Helvellyn, measuring 950 m (3,117 ft) tall, and making it the third highest peak in England.
• On average it takes the assessors three hours to make the climb. An additional reward for this achievement can be a 360 degree breath-taking view of the Lake District and beyond.
• To produce their reports, assessors brave the rain, snow and wind chill as low as minus 16C.
• The online service helps protect 18 million visitors and locals from conditions that can change rapidly and fatally on the fells
• Helvellyn is chosen for the fell top assessment as it is the most popular fell and has a large east facing headwall that retains the snow and ice
• Assessors’ reports are combined with the Met Office forecasts to give the fullest possible picture.