I am going to be the companion from hell on this holiday

[Plasticfoot]

Stop me!

I'm a fairly experienced mountain walker, something I did a lot with DH until he died. I haven't been since.

This summer, a group of my fittest friends have decided to climb a big one. They're fit, it's well within their capabilities, but I don't think they realise quite how hard it will be and they don't know mountains.

I'm really struggling to convince them about the kit they'll need, or the planning the route needs, the fact that the weather (visibility) matters or that navigation isnt just a matter of following the path. Some are even talking about taking beer up with them.

I've done this mountain a couple of times before, a tough challenge but straightforward in good weather. People die on it though and I've turned back when the weather turned, as it does in the mountains.

I can already feel I'm getting on people's nerves. I know I do worry, but there are reasons for that.

Currently I'm trying to tell them we can't fix a certain day for the climb, we'll need to look at the weather forecast closer to the time and be ready to go next day, if it looks OK, which seems normal to me and will make for a safer, more enjoyable trip. No one's getting it. I'm getting frustrated and they think I'm being bossy and overdramatic.

I think if they won’t listen and learn from your sensible advice based on experience then I would be tempted to say to them “sorry I don’t feel right going when we aren’t planning for all outcomes” and back out of the trip.

The problem isn't you being a difficult companion, it's them not listening to you. Either they think they know more than you, or your opinions don't count. There's nothing you can do, but unfortunately if they run into difficulties it will make it hard for you. Can you talk to any one individual about it?

Sometimes you’ve got to let people make their own mistakes. If they’re not listening to you, back off and let the consequences play out.

Where the hell are you going..Everest?!

My guess is Ben Nevis.

If it's Snowdon just leave them to it. They'll realise when they get 1/3 of the way up.

I wouldn't go.
If they're being foolhardy, that's their lookout.

Back out, right now. You already know these dimwits aren't going to listen to you, so at the very least you'll be miserable, and at the very worst it will be a disaster.

I wouldn't have any part in it.

Honeslty OP, don’t go.

Don't be so facetious, people die on Scottish Mountains all the time due to being woefully under prepared

@Toastandmarmaladeisdelish Don’t be so miserable. It was a joke. People die doing lots of things

No way I would go if its actually possible to die up there. You must have good communication and be prepared and it sounds like they will have neither.

Yes, this is exactly the response I'm getting, it's not "Everest you know".

It not Snowdon or Ben Nevis, but similar, equally challenging, less busy, which makes the risks bigger IMO.

If you're already this irritated at the early planning stage, I'd just take yourself out of it.

You're not unreasonable, obviously, but people who are unfamiliar with the territory, or with this kind of mountain/the kind of walking, kit, prep etc involved can be very difficult to convince of necessary precautions that are second nature to you. It's hard to explain just how dangerous an 'easy' mountain can be in poor visibility, or how much the weather, temperature can differ at altitude.

It's a bit like two old friends of mine, who are also close friends of one another, going for a walk together for the first time. They drive out of the city to a hilly coastal area with excellent waymarked circular walks of 20/25 km. C changes into her walking boots, zips up her waterproof, checks she has a map. P looks on, mildly bemused. They walk a couple of hundred yards down a lane to a stile. P stops and leans on the gate, looking at the view, then starts heading back to the car saying 'That was lovely'. C is??!! 'We haven't started walking yet!'

P is a highly intelligent woman. It was just that for her a 'walk' was a stroll that didn't require boots, maps etc.

OP When you hear about people having to call out mountain rescue teams, I always feel so sorry for those volunteers who have o risk their lives in order to rescue idiots like your friends. Don’t be associated with them - refuse to go.

When you say ‘fittest’ are they actually fit? When you get there you will have leeway to say ‘weather looks better tomorrow, shall we do it then?’

And you will be with them, presumably with map and compass you k ow how to use as well as any GPS based navigation system if you use it?

If they are genuinely fit, have good enough footwear , layers and waterproofs, and we are talking the UK in summer, I would stop being a doom laden know it all and revert to positive and constructive good influence. It’s a better way to influence people.

Any chance of a smaller mountain a couple of days before to get all your legs in and bring them to their senses ?

I think it boils down to whether you are willing to be responsible for bailing them out on the day. Best case scenario that’s you being responsible for navigation and having safety gear (group shelter, head torch etc) if they aren’t willing to carry it. Worst case, it’s first aid, calling Mountain Rescue etc.

I’d be mortified to be part of mountain rescue being called out for underprepared idiots, so I probably wouldn’t accompany an inexperienced and headstrong group.

I wouldn't be going

Is it Scafell Pike?

It’s busy!

It’s a tough uphill walk from Wasdale but ok if they stay away from Piers Gill. Long walk from Borrowdale but v clear paths. IME.

Your fittest and stupidest friends by the sound of it.

Don't go, let them learn from their own mistakes.

Are you climbing The Cobbler?

Yes, they are properly fit, good marathon and ultra runners, used to being on their feet for long days, but we live somewhere very flat! The mountains are a long way from us and most people have never been.

Yes we do have leeway to choose the best day, but only of we don't make immovable plans for the other days, which is the current issue, people want to book other activities.

I'm comfortable with the navigation and there's one other man coming who does a lot of walking and "gets" it, even though he's not experienced in the mountains, he'll be a help with the navigation and understands the risks. He's more relaxed generally about their attitude than I am though.

Some have been shopping for boots and waterproofs, but I'm not sure they understand what "waterproof" means in a mountain context, others are hoping to get away with their running kit.

I get you OP. We had Hellvelyn pencilled in last year when we went to the lakes, but heavy rain and wind over a few days meant we didn’t do it. We got there this year though during a nice few days. We also turned around on Snowdon a few years ago due to weather conditions changing rapidly.

I’ve seen people on Snowdon in flip flops. It boggles me.

Yes, I'm currently trying to persuade them to use one of the other days for a warm up hike to get used to mountain conditions, but theywant to go mountain biking or wild swimming, which I agree sounds a lot of fun.

Don't get involved. Back out.