DS plans to walk 32 miles on his own this weekend.

[Interestingmauve]

He's in his first couple of weeks at University. Seems to be really enjoying the course, but not socialising at all. This is not any great surprise, as he's a real introvert and happy in his own company. All his life he's tended to have one good friend rather than a group, although these have changed from time to time.

Hiking is his thing and he likes to do it alone. However, a day walk would usually be about 14 miles.

I'm worried. I don't suppose I can stop him and I won't know if he goes or not if he doesn't tell me, but 32 miles without proper training (above 14m) on his own where he doesn't know the area and has no one nearby he could call for help and the nights drawing in?

On the one hand, great that he's getting out, but....

He's a socially anxious 18yo in his first couple of weeks away from home. I'm allowed to worry.
I feel for you. You are allowed to worry, though there is very little you can do. There is no upper age when you cease to worry about your DC.
At the risk of annoying him I would give him the list of gear mentioned above, tell him to take a power pack and make sure he knows how to call mountain rescue. Then ask him to send you pictures of his walk.

Good grief. He's a grown man. Leave him be.

All your clingy worrying does is make him feel incompetent in life.

He'll be fine. We and all our kids had walked that distance and done longer solo travel long before that age. My 15 yr old walked and camped the 96 mile West Highland Way, solo.

The university will have hiking/walking group he could join; to meet and share walks with like minded people .

if he has an android phone, he could try an app called Maverick, which is free and would give him access to the OS Explorer 1:25K maps. It allows you to download the map tiles that cover your walk, in advance, so you don't need a data signal when you're out in the hills. The app puts a dot on the map to tell you where you are. The pro version only costs a few quid and allows you to upload routes to your phone. Worth a look, at least.

There are some basic safety precautions that solo hikers should take. Life has risk and one should take it but be prepared.

People can do unexpected things while hiking (go off trail) or experience unpredictable environments (weather changes) or have accidents happen (twist your ankle, spill all your water) etc and the hike can turn from fun and enjoyable to a potentially dangerous situation quickly. I have done many hikes from 1-5 days and sometimes the ones that seem most straightforward are the ones that turn into the biggest issue because we prepare less for them.

I am all for him doing the hike - but he should be prepared and take some basic precautions.

James Brindley, the famous Engineer, used to walk 30 miles from Leek to Manchester in 18th Century! Sure your son will be fine in the 21st Century.

Ghostbusters!

As a teenager in the 70s I used to do 20 mile sponsored walks wearing plimsolls or desert boots. I would have laughed at the idea of special training.

It's really NOT a 'mammoth walk' @Interestingmauve

My DD and 3 of her Uni friends hitch-hiked from London to Dubrovnik in Croatia 10 years ago, and although they got lifts/hitches off people for most of the journey, they actually walked around 200 of those 1250 miles, during the time it took them...

32 miles a 'mammoth walk?' Do me a favour! People have walked the length and breadth of Britain, John O Groats to Lands End, and all round the coastline - 1000 tom 2000 miles. Some people have walked through several continents.

You're deluded if you think 32 miles is a 'mammoth walk.' You really seriously need to have a word with yourself with how you are stressing about your ADULT SON. Is her your PFB or only son or youngest??? Coz your worrying is irrational and OTT!

He is 18, not. As a few posters have said, your clinginess could well drive him away!

1000 TO 2000 miles, not TOM (typo!)

Get him to download the what3words app. If he gets lost or injured it may be helpful.

a) He's walking it over a weekend - average 16 miles/day, not 32

b) He's unlikely to be carrying full 60lb backpack

Did they walk 32 miles in one day? But yay go you and your superior parenting.

You are getting a hard time here OP.

When you say between two towns, are we talking relatively populated, fairly flat, not too far from transport options or something like the lairig ghru?

The terrain is what would determine my level of worry.

Perhaps ensure he has a bivvy if he can't complete in daylight and has some bail out options if he can't manage all of it.

He needs to know at what point he has to decide to carry on or abort.

He is a man not a child.

No he's not, he plans to do it in one day.

@Interestingmauve if you tell him to download an app called “Find My” and you can see his location (you will need to download it also). I find it useful when DC go off to the city! Does he have any other gadgets you can use to track his progress?

OP This jumped out at me;
but 32 miles without proper training (above 14m)

you can tell him he's bonkers but as he's 18 there's not a lot else you can do.

Some nastiness on this thread.
A shy 18 year old just out of school and struggling in his first few weeks away from home is hardly a "full grown adult".
While he might roll his eyes OP he won't despise you for caring.
You might have been better posting on HE where many posters will have just dropped their offspring at uni and some will be coping better than others.

Well if we are comparing anecdotes I might as well put mine in.

In my first year at University, through what was then the Territorial Army, I took part in what was supposed to be a 100mile walk over 4 days. We did preparatory walks for months. It was a major international event done by the Armed Forces of many Countries. Thousands of people.

It got cancelled after the first day due to two people dying, due to weather conditions. One of our team nearly collapsed. (2006 Nijmegan Marches if people doubt me!)

While you can't mitigate all risk in life, most people do take precautions which is basically what people are suggesting.

You're worried, I can understand that, but I do think you need to try to relax a little. You've not put all your worries on him, and I think that's good. 32 miles is perfectly doable, even for someone who hasn't done more than 14 before. As long as he leaves himself plenty of time, has enough supplies, spare battery for his phone, and a plan of action for what happens if he gets unbearable blisters or twists his ankle or whatever. Even phoning you in an emergency could be useful, if you were able to stay calm and help him figure out what to do to get help. Remind him of everything he needs - lots of good advice on here - get him to download What3words, ask him to text you every now and then - maybe start, middle and end - and try not to worry too much.

Ah - sorry. I misunderstood.

However he isn't an idiot (well - no more than any other young man - idiocy often goes with the territory) so I'm sure he'll have made contingency preparations eg cagoule (do people still wear cagoules?) in case it rains, bivouac tent in case he literally can't put one foot in front of another, and a flask with a hot drink (also Kendall mint cake).

@Blix

Some nastiness different opinions on this thread. A shy 18 year old just out of school and struggling in his first few weeks away from home is hardly a "full grown adult".

Fixed that for you.

You're welcome.

Also, no-one is saying when ALL children hit 18 they can suddenly cope with all the trials and tribulations of adult life. But what many people are saying is that the OP worrying herself sick about her son doing a measly 32 mile walk - when he is an adult and at university - is irrational, and she should chill. Easier said than done I know, but there is naff-all she can do about it. No point in worrying unless there is something to worry about!

I haven’t walked that far but I have run further. I reckon it’s doable by a fit person who regularly walks 14 miles.
I do understand the worry. Does he have a power bank for his phone? And the OS locate app is really good. There might be a student support person you could contact if ds needs help.

It doesn't sound like he's shy, it's sounds like he's introverted and self sufficient. OP said herself that he has settled into uni just fine, and is happy with his own company. Some people just aren't that interested in socialising or making friends. It seems to bother other people more than the actual person!

It's also something that it sounds like he's been doing for a while, so while its a longer hike than he usually does, I'd imagine he knows all about the logistics and how to deal with issues and so on.