To most walkers climbing a mountain is more often a pleasure than a chore, but one of England’s most bizarre jobs seeks to make hill walking hard work.
The Lake District National Park Authority are looking to recruit a ‘Fell Top Assessor’, whose job description will include a daily trek to the top of Helvellyn, at 3,114 ft, the region’s second highest peak, in all weathers and carrying a 40lb rucksack full of equipment.
A ‘Fell Top Assessor’ is part National Park Ranger, part meteorologist and part walker rolled into one. The hardy soul who gets the job can at least be guaranteed the thanks of the walking community, as they will be responsible for providing a crucial weather service to over 200, 000 people annually – and accurate reports of the weather conditions on the fell tops in Cumbria help save thousands of lives every year.
It is estimated that the daily round trip to the top of Helvellyn will take 4 hours, and in a full seven-day shift the distance covered will almost be equivalent to climbing the height of Everest. Mountaineering skills and an ability to navigate in severe weather conditions are essential personal qualities.
In winter conditions on the top of England’s most popular mountains can change quickly as the weather becomes more dangerous. Park Ranger Manager, Shirley Muir, explained the importance of the role, saying, “This is a vitally important job. Assessors are expected to leave Glenridding Information Centre and reach the summit in under two hours. They recode details of wind speed, temperature, snow and ice and the state of footpaths.”
The closing date for applications is 5 November 2004, and the salary is £7.58 per hour with a pay award pending.
