6th December 2007 - Elterwater for Loughrigg

Some folk were put off by the weather, midly damp conditions, but 4 souls turned up, some under offer of a pub visit no matter what...anyway under a light drizzle we set off up the tarmac hill to climb Walthwaite Bottom! towards high close youth hostel, via some off-road, while near the top we commented on Jamies HID becomming dimmer, guess what...it ran out, this was not a good omen as we usually added light from the HID, but Ian and Charlie both had Li-ons and we should be OK. We continued to take the Loughrigg terrance bridleway descent, Ian and Jamie (no lights) both overtook me on the way down and we nearly over-shot the turn to the cave, just a little detour. Then round the lane along the River Rothay and then UP past Miller Brow to find out how the work has been going to the path over the top, it was sandy and boggy in places, maybe it will settle down?? Then downhill to enjoy, we even heard some shouts & crys from Charlie as she actually made it down the rocky corner without coming off, Horray! Then tour round Loughrigg tarn and up the road passing under the youth hostel and back down the bridleway to Elterwater enjoying the little testing corner at the end. All very good so we sent for a beer. Next ride from Troutbeck, park in the lay-by by Church Bridge.