Would you like to be paid to walk the same mountain every day, come snow or shine? As winter approaches the hunt is on in the Lake District for a new 'Felltop Assessor', a job that entails climbing Helvellyn daily to report on weather and ground conditions up high.

From December to Easter, Weatherline's felltop conditions reports are made by a team of two working alternate weeks on England's third highest mountain. The phone and online service helps winter climbers and hillwalkers stay abreast of conditions.

Long-standing assessor Jon Bennett needs a running mate to brave the worst that winter can throw at them. Ambleside-based winter mountaineering and weather expert Jon has been doing his ‘dream job’ for eight years. ‘It’s awesome being the eyes and ears of Helvellyn’ he reckons.

He explained it was vital in winter months to check conditions underfoot and assess risks, including potential avalanches, and that their daily reports were a lifeline.

Applications are now being sought from those with considerable winter experience, and preferably a mountaineering qualification.

Tens of thousands use Weatherline's Helvellyn service, and when it was threatened with closure three years ago a raft of sponsors came to the rescue (see UKH news here). Money-making ventures now include offering a day with the assessors on Ebay.

Head of the Lake District National Park's commercial services, Liz Moss, said the service was almost beyond value.

She added [somewhat hyperbolically? Ed.]:

'We have some of the world’s most spectacular mountains and keeping those venturing on them as safe as possible is paramount.'

'Our communities and farmers also make good use of Weatherline. Assessors’ reports are combined with Met Office mountain forecasts to give the fullest possible picture.'

'We get incredible feedback from grateful users, especially those looking for a great days out in breathtakingly beautiful places.'

• Find out more about the post here. 
• For daily winter reports from December to Easter see Weatherline, or call 0844 846 2444