THE 2021 season has kicked off for three men who work to keep people safe on the fells.

The Lake District's three Fell Top Assessors have met to summit Helvellyn and produce a weather report.

They will climb the mountain every day during winter, working alternate shifts to assure maximum safety for those planning to climb during the winter months.

However, for the first day, they climbed the mountain together to kick off the winter season.

Lake District National Park Authority Fell Top Assessor, Zac Poulton said: “As many people have connected with nature in the Lake District over the past 18 months, it’s important to know that the Lake District of the summer is very different to the Lake District of the winter. People who are new to winter walking should make sure that they are adventure smart and ask themselves three questions before setting off:

  • Do I have the right gear?
  • Do I know what the weather will be like?
  • Do I have the correct knowledge and skills?”

Jon Bennett – now in his 14th season of being a National Park Authority Fell Top Assessor - added: “The fells tend to be much quieter in winter and you need to navigate more for yourself, rather than following the crowd. The daylight hours are much shorter, meaning you do need to make sure you have the core skills and equipment to be prepared to get back down off the fell in good time.

“The fells will be there another day and it’s important that you don’t take unnecessary risks and always be prepared to summit safely.”

They will make the walk every day, including Christmas Day, to produce a report, braving temperatures as low as -23C.

Wes Hunter, who completes the team said: “We know how important it is to get outside for your health and wellbeing but we really ask people to make sure they are suitably prepared. The last thing we want to see is the volunteer mountain rescue services having to be called out for something that is avoidable."