Quote Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak View Post
After Steve has scared you for a good reason after you pass cut gate look on the map for Bull clough, you cross it before the climb up to outer edge. avoid the path where it crosses BC either go right or left 50m for a dry crossing

Yes some have gone down. if you get a really good line it works out the same, a bit more sheltered but more climbing??In very bad weather it would give you a more sheltered route but if you don't know when to head up for Swains it could cost you a lot of time.
Those that have reccied it usually stick on the top>

I'll be at the top off up cutgate at about 10.00am, I'm leading a reccie of the straddle
Time wise about the same, as you said Ian. In very wet conditions with a strong westerly gale it might even be better to take the river path but this would be against the spirit of the event as it would miss out the most desolate and challenging section of the watershed.