The Fell Top Assessors provide a daily report on the ground conditions of the Lake District fells between December and Easter and post it on lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk and Twitter. The information on Lake District Weatherline is always up-to-date as one of them walks up the hill every day during the winter months; this includes New Year’s Day, Boxing Day and even Christmas Day, it is surprising how many folk are out enjoying sandwiches on the summit of Helvellyn, rather than a roast turkey at home!
The underfoot conditions during these winter months are often very different and sometimes dangerous to those experienced during the warmer, summer months when the vast majority of visitors and locals enjoy their first, exciting exploration of the beautiful Lakeland fells.
Fell Top Assessor-approved essentials for winter walking
Depending on their daily report, the Fell Top Assessors usually recommend walkers to have the following;
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Warm layers
- Goggles
- Torch
- Map & Compass and the ability to use them
- Full Waterproofs
- Waterproof gloves
- Winter weight walking boots
Jon Bennett's favourite places to explore
Jon Bennett was our longest standing Fell Top Assessor, starting in 2008 and working for the National Park for 16 years. Here are his favourite winter walks!
1. Helvellyn
I walk up Helvellyn far more than any other hill for several reasons. Firstly, although the third highest peak in the Lakes, it is more popular to climb owing to it being so readily accessible. Secondly, it has a large easterly face which retains the snow for longer. Thirdly, there are several routes to the summit including the classic edges of Striding and Swirral Edge and fourthly, there is a ranger base with a kettle when we finish our walk!
2. Wansfell Pike
If you prefer a lower hill, it is hard to beat Wansfell Pike (c500m), then this is the one for you! There is a relatively easy, pitched path from the middle of Ambleside to the summit. Being lower in altitude, Wansfell Pike is often beneath the cloud when the higher summits are in it. Thus you are more likely to experience its glorious summit views, which are out of all proportion to its height, down the length of Windermere to the south and over Grasmere vale to the north.
3. Kentmere Horseshoe
Should you prefer to walk up a medium sized fell, then one of those which together form the Kentmere Horseshoe is strongly recommended. This is a glorious walk, but parking is extremely limited at the end of the Kentmere valley, which is why it is an excellent walk to undertake during the quieter months of the year.
Winter Skills courses
An opportunity to spend a day on Helvellyn with one of our Fell Top Assessors as they climb to the summit of the mountain to take snow and weather readings for Lake District Weatherline Service.
