Great Cockup and Meal Fell

On our trip to Nepal 3 years ago we trekked half of the Annarpurna Circuit. Today not only we did the complete circuit of Great Cockup but,as an added bonus, we took in the summit of Great Cockup and Meal Fell. On top of this, we did it despite a great navigational cockup.

Starting from Ornthwaite the plan was to do an anticlockwise circuit to Tusmadoor , climb Meal Fell the return over the top of Great Cockup and down the western ridge.

It was a surprisingly sunny day although a little cold in the gentle breeze when the sun went behind the clouds. We started late morning just as WCOC were finishing an orienteering event on the hill. We followed the track from Ornthwaite keeping low under Brockle Crag then started to head up and contour the hill keeping just above the wall above Brocklecrag farm. The idea was to head up the hill near the end of the wall and joint the path leading east to Trusmadoor. The path heading direct up the hill was easy to follow and before we new it we were on the summit ridge,

hence the change of plan.

Great views over Over water to the Solway Firth and beyond to the north and the Skidaw range to the south.

We followed the broad ridge to Great Cockup summit then descended to Trusmadoor followed by a steepish but easy ascent of Meal Fell. Leaving Meal fell directly south we joined another path back to Trosmadoor then instead if returning on the south side of Great Cockup decided to complete the circuit winding our way on an initially easy path then, less distinct paths, seeing the orienteering controls being collected, and eventually the main path on the northern slopes of Great Cockup back to Ornthwaite.

Time 4 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Missing the initial path to Trusmadoor
• Great views across Solway Firth and to the Skidaw range
• Orienteering event

Completed 85 To go 129