Great Cockup, Meal Fell, Great Sca Fell, Knott & Great Calva - A walk in the Uldale Fells.

Lovely quiet parking spot on a junction near the small hamlet of Orthwaite.

Sad to look at this photo as it's the last my 12 year old car will be taking me to the lakes. It finally went 'pop' recently after 170,000 miles of dedicated service - mostly ferrying me to the lakes and back. I've decided it's too old now to fix so will have to let it rest. It's a shame as it's been a brilliant car and I doubt I'll be as happy in another one.

Now, I wonder if my wife will let me have her car for a while ? You will see in a couple of weeks time, as I have holidays and weddings to attend during the rest of May. Anyway, back to the walk.

The junction I mentioned in this quiet part of the lakes.

I had planned on parking at the Overwater Car Park - but upon arrival it was (very surprisingly) packed - I think it was an organised walk as there's hardly ever another car there. But this was just as good a starting point anyway.

Good Morning chaps - Sorry to disturb you !

After a small farm, it was a right turn, through the gate and onto the Uldale fellside.

Soon after going through the gate, I turned left and headed onto the grassy slopes and picked up a path going upwards. Various routes are available and are very easy to navigate in good weather.

Views over to Bassenthwaite Lake and the Whinlatter Fells in the distance.

As I gradually gain height, I see the clag ahead - this may not be the best of days for walking. I had expected some low cloud early doors, but this looked fairly permanent.

Heading up to Great Cockup - What a fantastic name for a fell.

A small cairn marks the highest point (Great Cockup) which is in the midst of an expanse of scantly, anaemic looking heather on the crest of a gentle dome, surrounded today by gloomy mist.

A brief respite from the clag as I descend down into the wonderfully named 'Trusmador' with it's Burntod Gill.

It was at this point that I considered visiting Burn Tod (the fell) on the way back and heading back this way via Trusmadoor, never done that before, but as it was I didn't alter my plans as the visibility was very poor and it probably wasn't the best of ideas anyway.

Looking back towards Great Cockup as I climb up the path to Meal Fell.

Interesting Meal Fell, which has a circular walled shelter for it's summit. It's one of those places that when you first visit, you tend to go to 3 or 4 prominent cairns just to make sure you visited the actual summit itself. But that's the bad boy over there.

The summit of Great Sca Fell - Nothing really 'Great' about this one. Anyone for a game of bowls ?

The heavy clag made this uninteresting without any surrounding views to enjoy - I do hope it lifts.

It's getting worse !!

Knott summit.

The mist was so bad, without any landmarks to guide me I went into auto pilot and thus promptly made a mistake - I left the summit following the path that I'd assumed I should be on, but I did get my bearings completely wrong, and for half a mile I was headed for Mosedale. Doh ! when I realised, it was back to this summit to pick up the path that I really needed for my trip over to Great Calva.

Just shows you how easy it is for a fell walker to loose his bearings when visibility is poor. Having said that, there are a few of you out there that will remind me that I can also get lost in perfect, clear, sunny conditions - I have had my moments, I have to admit.

Bog, bog and more bog as I splodge my way to the next fell - when is 2024 going to dry out?

Handy lunch spot as I take advantage of the isolated Great Calva summit and its windproof shelter.

Heading back to the col between Great Calva and Knott, I pick up a small path and veer off to the left to head down Hause Gill.

Following the path down through the stony ravine as I gradually loose height.

Easy to follow path as I descend in the direction of Orthwaite.

Finally we have a proper view !

From this path you can see Dash Falls behind you in the distance, but views of Bassenthwaite are now clear again as most of the descent is done.

Now it's back home to pack for a wedding in New York and then another in Sicily ! Not much walking for a while, but plenty of spending alright.

Little did I know that my journey home with my old friend (my car) would be our last ever trip together - It's been emotional.

See you in a couple of weeks time, with hopefully a bit of sunshine to enjoy.