Hiking in a heatwave

[lemoncake29]

A group of 8 friends have arranged to meet this Friday for a hike followed by a pub lunch. We don’t get together often due to living far apart and kids etc. It will be the last time we all get together til Christmas I suspect. I’ve booked annual leave and sorted childcare and was looking forward to it.
We are all seasoned hikers and planned to do a trail that’s roughly 17 miles in a popular but remote spot. It’s about an hour drive away from me.
With the forecast now set to be over 30 degrees on Friday some of the group have suggested we skip the hike altogether and just go to the pub, others have suggested we shorten the route but a few want to go ahead with the original plan and just prepare well.
Personally I’m on team pub but since we can’t all agree there is a bit of tension building and it’s threatening to ruin the whole get together. Aibu to think it’s too hot for this sort of activity?

YABU. Toughen up and suggest that you all add a bit of extra interest by doing it in sling backs.

Meet at the pub to catch up, then whoever wants to hike goes and hikes. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Take a camel pack with a decent amount of water and you’ll be fine.

Those who want to hike do so, the others will meet them at the pub.

Start earlier and do fewer miles.

Rule 5 .

I'd go for the middle ground and shorten the route

Should have said, this has been suggested but the pro hikers seem very put out by it as we’re all meant to be doing something together.

but you will be, all at the pub together, I'd even suggest that leg of the trip was extended.🍻

I'd do the hike but start early (7ish) and finish at the pub in time for lunch.

And take lots of water

I wouldn't walk that distance in heat. Not unless very fit and prepared - lots of water

Extra water, electrolytes and a decent hat. At long as hike it’nt too look or strenuous should be fine. If a bit sweaty

Not possible for everyone to get there that early unfortunately.

I'd go for the middle ground. No more than 10 miles, then pub.

Just because the ones who want to do the full hike are getting arsey doesn’t mean you have to go along with it…
Look, for some it’s not going to be fun/enjoyable so they should either do a half hike if they want or sit in the pub if they want…
The key words here are “if they want”.
Everyone does what they want to do, end of.

The pro-hiking guys sound ridiculous. If ppl know their limits & want to pub it rather than risk reaching or exceeding them then that should be respected.

Wow, about 25k ?? That's a long hike in the heat and I am a good walker . I would definitely cut it short because of the weather .

Dont be emotionally blackmailed into doing a hike you will not enjoy and maybe even be too much physically. Just say sorry guys, I just don’t think I’m up to hiking in these conditions, much as I love spending time with you all, I’ll be much happier meeting up and catching up with everyone at the pub.

If they’re really ‘pro hikers’, isn’t one of the main rules that you have to allow for the slowest/least able person in the group, not expect everyone to keep up with the fittest and fastest?
I’d be looking for a shorter route ideally somewhere mostly under shady trees and/or near water.

Can you do a route that takes you through woodland so you've got some shade?

I wouldn't have a problem doing that distance in that heat, but then I've regularly walked Camino paths in Spain and Portugal when the temperatures have hit 40c

Giving up the hike entirely seems pretty pathetic to me but knocking it down to 12-14 miles would be a reasonable compromise.

I can't deal with that kind of heat and wouldn't be able to walk that far in it. People need to be less self absorbed and consider others. I would divide the group up: pub, shorter hike, longer hike and let people choose. If people insist you should all be together, then abandon the hike and do an activity indoors.

I’d pick a route that can involve some cooling off in a river or lake if possible. I live in the mountains and do a lot of walking but 17 miles, especially if adding in hills and hot weather, is a bit excessive.

You were going to walk 17 miles before lunch?
That really doesn't add up.
I'd average 2-3mph in mountains over a distance like that. So 6-8.5 hours (including stops).
I know fell-runners could go much faster, but they wouldn't be in a tidy state for a pub lunch.

I don't do heat, so not a chance I'd be trying it in that weather. You say the walk is somewhere remote, but you are experienced hikers? What is your plan for shade/exit if any one struggles?

You don't sound prepared. Please just meet in the pub.

Did you make an error in your OP. You planned to do 17 miles BEFORE LUNCH??? I used to be a very fit hiker (think mountains and such) and it takes most people between 6 and 8.5 hours to walk 17 miles (with only very short breaks), assuming a moderate pace of 3 to 4.5 km/h and an easier terrain. That will vary based on individual fitness levels, terrain, and whether you're walking on a trail or road. But it seems excessive unless you like very late lunches.

One of the first rules of hiking is that you are realistic about conditions too - inexperienced hikers, unsafe weather conditions, unrealistic timings, so they don't sound very "pro" to me. You never ask others to undertake hikes they are not confident about or wanting to do. That is dangerous.