The Lake District National Park has welcomed two new faces to its Fell Top Assessor team.

Paddy Cave and Jim Evans are the latest recruits to join Zac Poulton in hiking Helvellyn every day throughout winter.

(Image: Newsquest) The trio will summit the mountain to provide important weather updates for walkers, a service now in its 37th year.

Fell Top Assessors tackle the Lake District peak between December and March each year to obtain a detailed ground condition report.

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, who first met 10 years ago while skiing on Helvellyn, are highly experienced winter climbing instructors.

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.”

The dad-of-two works as a self-employed instructor and has also led military veterans on outdoor expeditions as a form of mental health support.

(Image: Terry Abraham) Paddy 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 is a volunteer for Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, moved to Cumbria at 18 and ‘fell in love with the Lakes’.

He has led eight expeditions to Arctic Greenland and spent many years educating others 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.”

(Image: Newsquest) Jim said they are both looking forward to the challenge: “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.

The Weatherline reports will begin on Monday, December 2, 2024.