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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wearing trainers on a hiking holiday - AIBU?

241 replies

RangeTesKopeks · 23/07/2017 14:42

Hi everyone,

I'm on a hiking holiday with friends at the moment, although it's all very relaxed and we can do our own thing if we like.

Everyone else has walking boots that they've brought with them and i haven't. I own a pair, but couldn't get it before the trip (long story, but it's somewhere in my parents' house, which is 6 hours' away from where I live).

I've brought a pair of trainers instead with me, but am a bit worried about hiking with these on. (All of the other people in the group are really keen walkers, and I'm not really).

AIBU to wear trainers on the hikes instead of buying another pair of walking boots? I don't go on walking holidays at all really, and don't really want to pay for another pair of boots as they're quite expensive. But I don't think it's very safe to walk up mountains in trainers and I'm quite nervous about the walking aspect in general (scared of heights etc.)

WWYD? Would you buy a new pair of boots?

OP posts:
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Beeziekn33ze · 25/07/2017 18:11

I was a novice years ago when friends told me they were taking me up Hevellyn. I did have leather walking boots. I'd bought second hand, with thick socks included, in Heptonstall WY where the seller had put a card up In a shop. I've very small feet 2.5, they were 3, outgrown by a child! Very useful for years.
I managed Helvellyn fairly easily but my kind friends, who'd been up the Striding Edge route a couple of days before, took me up from the Thirlmere side! Grateful to my friends forever, Helvellyn is a lovely memory!

Whathaveilost · 25/07/2017 18:19

ginandtoast
What a nice picture.
I'm back on Catbells on Friday. I used to kid my children that they were mountain walking when they were little.DS 2 was annoyed when he was about 12 and discovered it was a fell with not much height!!

On on easy day it's simple and you usually just follow the crowds in summer. Trainers aren't a problem, although as I said earlier I won't allow my walking groups there without appropriate footwear. I was once on there heading to High Spy and the weather suddenly closed in and I got caught in a storm and high winds.
It was pretty terrifying and I saw a different side to the usual gentle fell.

Beeziekn33ze · 25/07/2017 18:20

OP I love all the advice you're offered on here and hope that overall you'll feel it was worth going to such a lovely area. Maybe you'll return in more pleasant company in the future!
I am shocked that Pita friend didn't bother to tell you about the keybox, she doesn't seem to care much about other people. Very protective of 'her' avocados indeed??!!

elfinpre · 25/07/2017 18:20

There is an easy route up Helvelyn which doesn't involve either of the edges. We did it in good weather. It can still be cold at the top or suddenly the clouds roll in and you can't see.

I did Scafell but not the pike bit as I was knackered as we did a much longer walk in than we needed to Angry and I still had to get down and back in one piece, and my previously comfortable walking boots were killing me. (I couldn't go running for weeks as they had skinned my heels so badly). And it just looked horrible. My friends went on and then picked me up on the way back.

I would not be going anywhere near them in bad weather.

user1492877024 · 25/07/2017 18:52

5foot5

You are correct, I have climbed some very big mountains in my time, think Denali, Aconcagua, Cho Oyu. I have also climbed Scafell Pike when the weather was perfect, only for it to change on reaching the summit. When the weather changes up there, then that is when you can get in serious trouble. OP sounds very responsible in that she recognises her own limits. If only there were more like her.

GinAndToast · 25/07/2017 19:02

whathaveilost

Shhhhhh, it's a mountain, okay? Catsbells is definitely a mountain. And my little one will kill me when she finds out too. She was most disgruntled to discover I was taking her down after it, and the rest of our group were continuing. If she finds out now it wasn't a mountain, she'd be devastated.

I did Snowdon Ranger Path yesterday and to be fair, I could have taken her so she would then have done a "real" mountain, but I thought it would be harder than it was.

OP, Range, actually that's a very good point. Sometimes (often) I think a trek is going to be harder than it actually turns out, to the extent I can't sleep beforehand. It's good as said before to know your limitations, but the day after tomorrow if it's not raining, you can plan a fun day!

And yes, tomorrow I'd do Netflix too!

user1492877024 · 25/07/2017 19:03

2rebecca

I agree with you fully.

GinAndToast · 25/07/2017 19:05

And I need to move to the Middle East where there are none of these weather issues Grin
There, when I was trekking in Oman, Jordan, etc. it's just warm. No risk of rain or storms or snow or needing anything other than shorts, tee shirt, super sun block, hat, good shoes and a ton of water Smile

MagdalenNoName · 25/07/2017 19:06

I think sometimes a difficult or self-centred holiday companion can mean that other people bond and support each other.

So if you're having a better time with some of the others - who want to have a slightly strenuous day or two - then things are improving.

If I was on holiday somwhere beautiful I'd try and get out - even if the weather wasn't great - rather than just doing Netflix. As people have said there are plenty of non-challenging walks. I'd also fancy a trip to Brantwood..

BunnyBardot · 25/07/2017 19:15

KickAssAngel that's a problem with sugar in the US, but not with the main brands of sugar in the U.K.

Groupie123 · 25/07/2017 20:11

I hike in trainers. Will often do up to 15-20 mile hikes in all terrain. You won't get blisters if they're well worn in, and you want fall if the tread is good quality. Nobody really needs boots unless they hike every week/few days or do treks.

KickAssAngel · 25/07/2017 21:32

(Bunny - I live in the US. Hadn't realized it was different in the UK)

Whathaveilost · 26/07/2017 08:59

gimandtoasr
Your secret about Catbells is safe! I also told my kids when they were about 4 that they were doing serious rock climbing on Gunners How!

I know the Op is sorted with footwear but I think some confusion has arisen around the terminology got trainers! For a lot of fellsand hillsi tend to wear shoe sthat looks like a pair of trainers. There is enough padding around the ankle to offer some support especially. When coming down hill in scree and the grip is good if the weather is wet and you have to walk on a smooth slabThe examples with the trainers posted, one pair would be great, the other I wouldn't like to walk to the post office in them!

Wearing trainers on a hiking holiday - AIBU?
Wearing trainers on a hiking holiday - AIBU?
Footle · 26/07/2017 10:44

Lovely day , Range! You should have bought a pair of flippers.

lanouvelleheloise · 26/07/2017 12:15

Glad you're having a better time OP!

Apologies in advance for slight derail. I am really terrified of heights. Though I love hill-walking and fell running, I get scared as soon as I have to do scrambling, and the thought of Striding Edge fills me with cold, icy horror. Anyone got any experience of conquering a fear or heights/tips on how to get over it?

GinAndToast · 26/07/2017 13:31

whathaveilost Mmmmm, I fancy those Salamons now Grin

OP, I hope you are having a good day!

Original poster
RangeTesKopeks · 26/07/2017 14:09

Whoops I fucked up a bit last night. We had some of AG's friends (who were lovely) round for dinner, and I had a bit too much wine Blush.

I don't really remember much of last night, but when their friends left, I sat in the living room and cried to AG and DP for absolutely ages about how inadequate and shit I felt, how I had no friends and no job prospects, and how no one likes me. They were both nice about it - I just wish I hadn't opened up about it in front of them. AG works as a therapist, so she was going into 'therapist mode' a bit.

I bet she's going to remember everything I said to her last night, and I'm a bit worried she discusses me with her DP. Something happened to me in 6th form which she already knows about, although I can't remember how (a really close friend of mine committed suicide), and she brought it up last night just as a way of saying how she felt I'd gone through difficult situations. I think it's still affecting me, but didn't really realise (it's been quite a few years since it happened).

Earlier in our trip (I think the day we got here?), she and her DP brought up another time when we all went in a group to a music festival together and camped. They were sharing a tent, and I was sharing a tent with another girl.

The day after the festival finished, they wanted to get home fairly quickly. I was still sleeping in my tent, so didn't realise that they'd got up and packed their tent away, and that the girl I was sharing my tent with had also got up. To wake me up, they started taking the tent down around me Shock I was really surprised, and didn't know what the fuck was going on. All I could hear suddenly was bits of the tent flapping around like crazy in the wind. I freaked out, and then went a bit crazy Blush They were pissing themselves laughing. Anyway, they brought it up the other day (AG never really forgets anything, it seeems).

(Sorry about the post derail). Anyway, I slept last night
off, and then just tried to 'sleep the day away' today really Blush

I could hear them all downstairs, and didn't really want to go down. AG came into my room (v quietly and without knocking, so took me by surprise Blush) a couple of minutes ago, and said they're all still here and would be going to a local National Trust place if I fancied joining them. So I'll probably go along. Just not feeling great.

OP posts:
heron98 · 26/07/2017 14:10

I always go hiking in trainers. Never had an issue. And I walk in the Lake District most weekends.

livefornaps · 26/07/2017 14:42

Ah, don't worry! Everyone flips out a bit sometimes, especially when you're feeling a bit insecure. It's cathartic. Sounds like you were due a "wine and cry" night. Just don't make a habit of it, and if you find it happens every time you drink then quit the booze at least until you sort yourself out.

Yeah, your friend will have been trained to remember things but don't let her over-dramatize stuff or try and shoehorn in memories every which way. If she does do her "therapist thang" just tell her nicely that it's been a bit of a rough time and you're feeling a bit insecure but that it's nothing to worry about.

Don't let it spoil your holiday. Go out with your friends instead of stewing in bed - you'll feel better!

Oh and the tent thing was messed up!!! I would have hated that and reacted the same!

bbcessex · 26/07/2017 14:53

I might be going a little against the (vegan) grain here, but perhaps if AG is vegan then advocado is a big staple in her diet, whereas it may have just been something you fancied?

i think she's getting a bit of a hard time, tbh!

bbcessex · 26/07/2017 14:55

It was nice that AG came up and asked you to join them. OP. I wouldn't read anything negative into that.

GinAndToast · 26/07/2017 17:38

We've all had evenings like that where we've had a bit too much and cried.

Don't worry.

Did you go to the place with them?

Original poster
RangeTesKopeks · 26/07/2017 18:14

Thanks so much everyone Flowers We ended up all going out for the afternoon to a local National Trust place, which was lovely. Just got back, and AG and her DP have very kindly offered to cook dinner for us all.

I think I just felt a bit insecure last night so drank more than I should have done. As PP have said though, I'll make sure I don't make a habit of if.

OP posts:
Original poster
RangeTesKopeks · 26/07/2017 21:54

The plan tomorrow is for everyone to climb Helvellyn, so I'm thinking of heading into Windermere instead.

AG has said that she'd be happy to drop me off in Windermere, which is lovely of her.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could do in Windermere please? :)

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 26/07/2017 22:01

Beatrix Potter museum, eat scones, buy fudge, enjoy a walk down to the lake and do a cruise, just wander about, look in the shops, go in the Macdonald spa hotel if you're loaded.....