I'd planned to walk the Coledale Horseshoe at the same I came up with Monday's Mosedale Horseshoe. That was a couple of weeks ago and back then there was no sign of this weeks heat wave. I coped Ok on with the heat on Monday and same again for the Cat Bells sunset walk but would it be advisable to spend close to seven hours on the hill in exposed to 29°C heat. The answer to that would probably be no.

Only you knows your body and what you can push it to. A few years ago when Tim was in training for one of his many trail marathons, events that can't be moved whatever the weather Tim told me he conditioned his body by flushing litres of water through his liver up to two weeks before the event which made sense and I've been doing the same all week.

I'll be honest I didn't want to change todays walk because it was 2014 when I last walked it, besides when I did try to think of somewhere else to walk nothing came to mind. I was that focused on walking the Coledale Horseshoe. Preparation was key and it goes without saying that I needed to keep myself focused, hydrate the best I could and protect against the sun and should it come to it, know when it's time to bail out.

Taking on as much fluid as I could carry was the key to getting through the day and after downing a litre during the drive north I finished off a 500ml bottle of Lucozade while kitting up. Alongside my 3ltr bladder pack I'm also carrying a 1ltr bottle of water plus another 500ml bottle of Lucozade which I aim to wash lunch down with. To say that my pack felt like a ton would be an understatement but it would lighten through the day. You'd think I'd be peeing for England drinking that lot but the only time I did was at the start of the walk and that was what I'd drank during the drive up, the rest I'd sweated out.

I didn't have any trouble parking although if I'd have left it any later I would have finding just two spaces left, I got one and a lady who I think I've seen before on the fells got the other "be alright there will it" referring to her car "aye no bother" I replied. She left in the direction of Braithwaite and I wondered was she doing the same route as me only clockwise, I'd soon know if I see her later I told myself. I shouldered my pack with a thud, locked my car, secured my keys and climbed the steps out of the car park before going off path to have a chat with the bracken.

I soon reached Hopegill Head summit which was when I noticed two fell runners tailing me who by now had just ran from Grisedale Pike and were crossing Hobcarton Crag. I really don't know how they can run in such intense heat and humidity when I'm struggling to put one foot in front of the other!

Here as I look down on Ladyside Pike I'm reminded of the precarious steep band of rock which requires some careful footings in order to reach Ladyside Pike.

I left Hopegill Head and took in the views over Gasgill which extended as far as the Isle of Man from the summit Sand Hill before beginning the stony descent onto Coledale Hause.

It was during this descent was I overtaken by the fell runners who pounded past while thanking the old guy for stepping aside and letting them pass.

I'd made my mind up if I wasn't going to ascend Grasmoor (it being a fell too far in such heat) then I would make a point of visiting Wandope. I climbed out of Coledale Hause and passed the two fell runners who by now were cooling down in Liza Beck, they didn't bother to take their clothes off instead choosing to sit down minus their trail shoes. I could have joined em but thought it would be a bit on the kinky side.

Instead I continue up the path as an infant Liza Beck flowed besides me 'sod this' so I went over, removed my pack and camera and dipped my head under the water. The water was so refreshing but the longer I kept my head there I started to feel 'brain freeze' that'll do donkey. Before I left I dipped both my wrist into the water my skin felt frozen just so the cold water could get at my arteries as I did in Gatherstone Beck on Monday. The cooling off worked a treat and I didn't bother to dry my face or hair instead letting the breeze blow me dry.

There's also a whole host of fells in this image starting in the distance with Clough Head, Great Rigg, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, White Side, Lower Man, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike. Moving through the centre we have Bleaberry Fell, High Tove, High Seat, Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and High Spy. Staying in the centre of the photo we move to Hindscarth whose summit is obstructing Dale Head. Leaving Robinson seen right.

I'd completely dried off by the time I'd reached Wandope but was still feeling positively refreshed nonetheless. It was from Wandope did I spot who I thought was the lady who had parked next to my car earlier but I couldn't be entirely sure if it was her or not.

Next I'm heading up onto Eel Crag via the narrow footpath that navigates around Addacomb Hole.

I made use of a free summit on Sail summit and tucked into lunch which I'd washed down with Lucozade. groping my bladder pack it appeared I'd only drank about a 1.5ltrs leaving me with another 1.5ltrs to complete the walk with.

It was here I passed a guy at the top of the zigzags and he told me I was the first person he'd seen all day. I replied by saying I'd passed a few people mainly during the ascent of Grisedale Pike then two fell runners on Coledale Hause. He went onto say he'd also seen the fell runners running back along the mine track below. He was heading to Grasmoor then returning the same route but thought he might only make it to Eel Crag. Grasmoor in this heat certainly was the fell too far today it would seem.

It was touching nearly 30°C as I made the descent from Barrow but I made sure despite the relentless heat I enjoyed the descent. By now I could hear traffic travelling along the A66 and as I descended further I could also hear the voices of children playing who seemed totally unaffected by the heat. I ran the last 200ft and passed through the little wooden gate next to Braithwaite Lodge where I kicked my feet into the backs of my boots, the shift felt heavenly. It was a busy afternoon in Braithwaite and it was nice to see the village shop doing well, sadly I can't walk through Braithwaite anymore without seeing flashbacks of the flood damage David and I witnessed after Storm Desmond back in 2015 - I still see a white Citroën Picasso in Braithwaite Beck and I still see flood damaged furniture outside flood damaged homes.

After crossing Braithwaite Beck I turn left and pass through a neat row of cottages bringing me out where the road runs alongside the beck. From here it's a steady, but short climb back to the car park which I do eyes fixed on boots without looking up. The car park was less than half full when I got back and despite the heat of the day I'd parked my car under trees meaning there was no furness to escape from. Nevertheless I put the A/C on full blast and take the last bottle of Lucozade which has also managed to stay at room temperature. Result I mutter. I down the Lucozade in two goes then catch myself in the rear view mirror looking back. I don't look as tired as I feel just a tanned reflection and a feeling of utter content.