I couldn't make yesterdays epic Central ridge walk with David and Rod who very kindly agreed to shelve the walk until the three of us can do it together, that's team mates for yer.

It's been four years since I last traversed Sharp Edge and eight years since I last linked the Hall's Fell ridge with Sharp Edge and if I'm completely honest after four years away it had started to creep up on me whether I still had the legs to do it. This isn't a sign of weakness, I've seen it happen to the most fell hardened among us, I've witnessed it first hand and I didn't want it to creep up on me too.

With the continuing run of good weather there was no better time than the present to attack Sharp Edge and for inspiration I started looking through my archives for a route that would add a little spark which was when I spotted a route very similar to this were one can take all that Blencathra has to offer.

The odd car passes and so too does a cyclist who I shared a 'morning' with. Given todays route I've opted to use my DSLR camera rather than faff with my mobile phone which takes the clearest of photos which is exactly the reason why I don't want to drop it whilst traversing Sharp Edge, can you imagine making that call to the insurers! After one final sweep of the boot I shouldered my pack which left a thud against my back due to the 3.5ltrs of hydration I'm carrying which by the looks of the forecast I'm going to need every drop of.

With Threlkeld now behind me I joined Fell Side road and soaked up the morning sunshine which according to the forecasters should last until around 2pm before high level cloud is due to arrive which is plenty of time for todays route.

Shortly I turn left and follow the track towards Gategill Farm seen in the foreground.

The guy in the photo just appeared from nowhere wearing jeans and wellington boots and headed into the gill. Whoever he was he seemed to know where he was going.

I join the path behind the tree preparing for the steep pull that awaits me.

The morning temperature continued to rise and for the first time this year I was using my buff to wipe the sweat away from my forehead which I had conveniently double wrapped over my right wrist. The heat was quite energy sapping so I adopted the 'just pick at it' attitude which takes the pressure off. Ahead two groups a short distance apart who I'd seen from the road earlier had stopped which allowed me to pass with 'mornings'

The second group were a trio of lads who I later found out had been out boozing and thought climbing Blencathra would be a great way to deal with their hangovers made worse no doubt because the heat would have been dehydrating them even more than the alcohol, not a wise decision me thinks.

I left the cairn at Atkinson Pike and crossed The Saddle passing between the memorial crosses and familiar summit tarn where a dog paddled watched on by its owners. Ahead the summit was still as busy but I made sure the tip of my walking pole tapped the circular trig for the second time today.

It did cross my mind to descend via the Gategill ridge and Knott Halloo but after remembering how steep the descent from Knott Halloo is I changed my mind figuring my feet have had enough fun for one day.

With Knowe Crags summit behind me I began the descent of Blease Fell via the popular zigzags passing two couples in ascent where 'hi's' are exchanged. At the base of the zigzags the path steers right towards the Blencathra Centre while I opted to go left via a worn path over the steep grassy fell side above High Row Farm.

The roof tops of Threlkeld come into view while being greeted by the sound of traffic travelling along a busy A66 below. The path turned east whilst the gradient slackened my view is filled by Knott Halloo and Gate Gill. Cloud had gathered leaving anything south of Keswick in shade whilst directly above the sky remained a deep blue.

The path followed the last 100ft of stone wall towards two gates and Blease Gill falls where I followed a narrow footpath before crossing an infant Kilnhow Beck via a wooded footbridge. Now just minutes away from the outskirts of Threlkeld the footpath passes through pockets of daffodils as I follow a herd of sheep onto Blease Road car park. Visitors pack nearby benches soaking up the afternoon sunshine as I kick my feet into the backs of my dust covered boots before passing Threlkeld Primary School who's children played games in an adjacent field. Spring was alive in the village with Daffodils blooming in every garden, bee's went about their humble business and yet as I type this Winter returned to the fells overnight leaving the higher summits under a couple inches of snow.