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....

1. Those people trained, hard, over several months
2. Running a marathon is much easier than walking one. Time on your feet makes the difference. I've done both, I'm guessing you've done neither if you're dismissing it as something anyone can do.
3. 32 miles is 25% more than a marathon.
4. Marathon runners have support all the way if something goes wrong. Twisting your ankle, for example, at 16 miles in an organised marathon is entirely different to doing it when you're alone 16 miles from home. Many of the starters didn't make it and were helped off the course.

He should be fine but some of the "it's nothing" comments are ridiculous.

Oh and 5 marathon runners don't have to do their own navigation and don't have any possibility that they'll walk miles in the wrong direction without realising.

Ghostbusters 🤣

Has OP confirmed that the route is Sheffield to Leeds?

I'm sure your son will be ok OP. When I was young I did a 27 mile walk for charity then went to a party in the evening. I wasn't fit and did no training. I was young and slim. We had no mobile phones in those days but the walk was supervised. I just thought you might find it reassuring that 27 miles in a day is doable for a young person. I know because I did it. I didn't have any blisters either.

Leeds to Sheffield is a lot more than 16 miles.

right but if he did know someone locally, what difference would that make? Even if he had made friends in uni, and he run into minor difficulties and rang them, what would they be able to realistically achieve? They might be out drinking, they might not have a car, they might not be bothered to help him, they might not have capacity to help, e.g. if he's lost they can't go out and start walking through 32 miles of fields to try and find him!

I don't really know what you want from this thread? You can't stop him going. You can't stop yourself worrying about it, because you're his mum (even though, honestly, it does sound pretty low risk compared to what lots of 18 year olds get up to!). All you can do is make sure he takes the right equipment. If something goes slightly wrong (e.g. he gets too tired to do the full walk or gets a bad blister or whatever) he'll have to make his way to the nearest road/landmark and get a taxi the rest of the way back. If something goes majorly wrong (e.g. he gets injured or completely lost) he'll have to call emergency services. Either way there is very little you can do!

@PuttingDownRoots those weather conditions were a heat wave, no risk of that at this time of year! That 4 day walk is still happening every year - my dad walked it when he was in the army.

If it's 16 miles to the other town and back again, surely he can take the bus or train back if he's too tired half way?

The OP has not said anything about the planned walk being 16 miles to the other town and back again? She's said: He wants to walk cross country from his city to the next city.

It's a 32 mile walk to the next city.

I agree with the PP that some of the posters on this thread who are acting as though 32 miles is nothing are being a little ridiculous. It's a long way, especially if you don't know the route. Walking three miles an hour every hour with no breaks, - which he is unlikely to manage - he will be walking for 10 hours 40 minutes. We're past the equinox so there is a chance he will be walking some of it in the dark, which isn't a disaster but it won't make it easier or quicker in an unfamiliar area when he's tired.

I'm sure he will be fine, if footsore, but I understand why the OP is concerned.

I think she’s not said.

She said it’s a 32 mile walk and that he wants to be back home same day.
I’d read that as walk there and back (16x2), but you’re right she doesn’t say that. She also doesn’t say it’s 32 miles to the next city. I think it could be either.

I think we all need the OP to clarify lots of things!

Shame the OP hasn't been bothered to come back to her thread for 6 hours, to answer the question MANY posters have asked... WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF THE WALK? From what city? TO what city???

@Interestingmauve Any chance of answering the many posters who asked this?

Maybe op is at work!

Hah, she's not.

Get him an InReach?

How did he get on, OP?

Xing fingers hope he had a good time.

If he’s otherwise healthy and sensible in terms of packing for an unexpected overnighter I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s worrying if he’s going off in a pair of flip flops and shorts with no kit, not so much if he has a bivvy bag, stove, food, water etc.

32 miles is not unreasonable for an experienced hiker. If he has comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothes and a phone he'll be fine!
He's moved 200 miles away for uni. It's totally natural for you to worry about him but you need to let him live his life the way he wants to. I was introverted at uni too, I hated the crowded student bar scene, would have been much happier hiking in the hills if I'd been somewhere with nice scenery.

This wouldn’t bother me. He’s young, fit and with what3words you could call for help on his behalf. He will also pass farms, other walkers and the odd road.

Relying on phone signals is stupid and crazy.

It's easy to see why search and rescue is kept so busy.

I agree @Browndoor. Last Sunday I was out and about in the Peak District and had no signal for a couple of hours in the valley we were walking through.

I think some posters don't realise this can happen.

@Interestingmauve I hope DS had a good day, the weather was in his favour.

Depending on where the walk was! We had torrential rain showers.

Skin is waterproof. So are most hiking coats.