Re: Great Calva to Blencathra
Did leg 1 yesterday and tried the Skiddaw House variation.
Usual BG pace: clocked SK in 1.22, GC in 0.43 then BL in 1.13. All these times are within 1 minute of what I would usually do on this leg.
Interestingly though, it took 24 minutes to get to the gate (hoping for 17 as suggested). The run off Calva was resaonably straight forward although I had to continually scan the ground for the trod hidden under thick heather. It was always there but with lots of twists towards the end of the descent.
On the ascent I more or less followed the grid refs but did have to drop 5m or so into Roughten Ghyll. There then followed 350m of climbing on good firm ground: but still, it's 350m rising left all the time. I was amazed it took an almost identical time to going down the fence line.
I reckon when I try this way again I'll take about 70 since I won't need to concentrate so much, will take slightly better lines and have the knowledge that I know what's coming up.
If you are a fast runner on tracks and are prepared for a single 350m climb then this alternative route is the one for you. (The good thing with going over the common is the climb is done in two parts.)
The summit I had to myself except for several hundred noisey seagulls sat on the ground by the small tarn.
The descent was via a little used route involving a 130m drop on steep grass SSE from the summit followed by a series of traverses and one further drop bringing you back on the ridge below ALL the scrambling stuff! 28 easy minutes to Threlkeld.
Another great afternoon out. The solitude of Back O' Skidda takes a lot of beating in the Lakes.