New top weatherman

8:50am Friday 3rd December 2004

MOUNTAIN man Liam Scott has made it to the top in a testing contest to clinch a potential daily life-saving trek up the Lake District's second highest peak.

The freelance outdoor instructor from Ambleside was chosen from a field of around 50 contenders to scale Helvellyn for a crucial weather service used by 200,000 people a year.

The Lake District National Park Authority employs two fell top assessors, who have to make the four-hour return trek from December 9 until Easter.

Information is gathered for the LDNPA's Weatherline service which helps protect walkers from winter conditions that can change rapidly on the fells.

The assessors work on a week on, week off, basis carrying a 40lb equipment-filled rucksack, up almost 950 metres (3,114ft). A seven-day shift is the equivalent of scaling Everest.

Mr Scott, 29, who has qualifications in mountaineering, canoeing, mountain biking and yachting, was delighted by his new role.

"Helvellyn is my local mountain - I have walked and climbed it every way possible, mostly solo and in all conditions, and have even stayed overnight on the summit in full winter conditions!" he said.

"Providing information for Weatherline is vitally important and I look forward to being part of that greatly valued and used service."

Ranger manager Shirley Muir said the calibre of applicants had been extremely high, but Mr Scott's "diverse and impressive" track record had stood out for what was a vital job.

Weatherline is available on 017687-75757.

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