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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hiking in a heatwave

101 replies

lemoncake29 · 08/07/2025 21:02

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?

OP posts:
Bridport · 08/07/2025 21:57

I walk a lot and an hours drive and 17 miles before lunch sounds a helluva lot on any day let alone one that's 30 degrees.

The Pro hikers who seem very put out don't sound like very good friends to have.

5foot5 · 08/07/2025 21:57

@DuckCootLoon @PhilippaGeorgiou
You beat me to it! Either this was going to be a very late lunch or a very early start, but OP says a start as early as 7am is off the cards.

I would be in team shorten the walk.

Original poster
lemoncake29 · 08/07/2025 22:09

DuckCootLoon · 08/07/2025 21:44

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.

No not before lunch. We were aiming to set off around 9 and be finished by mid to late afternoon. Then have a pub meal.

OP posts:
Pepsipepsi · 08/07/2025 22:10

If in a group chat I would do a poll so people can vote on full hike, shorter hike or just pub. Go with the majority. If the pro hikers want to do the full thing they can always meet you later.

I wouldn't be risking my health to appease other people. I reckon with 8 people pushing themselves, one of you is guaranteed to get some sort of sun stroke. I'd be making sure it wasn't me.

onyourway · 08/07/2025 22:28

I’d cut the route in half, 7.5 or 8 miles, then lunch

AztecSecrets · 08/07/2025 22:48

Suggest

A much shorter route
Take lots of water
Wear sun hat & cover up with loose fitting clothes to avoid sun burn, take sun cream
Take some snacks
Padded blister plasters
Walk in groups, do not leave one person on their own

GoldPoster · 08/07/2025 22:51

I hike a lot, I wouldn’t cancel for myself as I don’t mind the heat. Some people really can’t tolerate heat however and I wouldn’t like to be responsible for someone keeling over, so I’d agree to the pub lunch.

outerspacepotato · 08/07/2025 22:55

The gung ho hikers who want to do the whole hike without regards for how the weather conditions can affect others are being wildly unreasonable. They're risking the health and safety of others for what exactly? Togetherness?

You guys in the UK aren't conditioned for long exertion in serious heat. There's higher risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Gettingbysomehow · 09/07/2025 06:44

Mad dogs and english men
Noel Coward

Jennyathemall · 09/07/2025 06:54

That’s just sheer stupidity to consider doing a considerable distance in that heat. Any experienced hiker would know to take it easy in those conditions.

KPPlumbing · 09/07/2025 06:59

I love hiking in the heat and would be pissed off with the suggestion that the hike is scrapped.

Mikart · 09/07/2025 07:01

I can hike about 12 miles but wouldn't in 30 degrees.

Wolfpa · 09/07/2025 07:03

What kind of hike is it? Will you be going up hills/ mountains as it will be cooler there?

personally I would go for option 2 and shorten the hike. The mind is an amazing thing and people who have decided that it is too hot or too long are likely to get symptoms on the walk.

Original poster
lemoncake29 · 09/07/2025 07:05

Lots of different opinions which kind of reflects what’s going on in the group! Pro hikers are pissed off as they think we won’t actually see each other for more than an hour or two if we split up and do separate things.
We have all hiked similar distances before but never in heat like this and I don’t think it will be very enjoyable. I struggle in the heat, even basic tasks wear me out so it’s definitely a flat no to the whole thing from me. May consider a shorter route. If the drama continues I won’t go at all.

OP posts:
KPPlumbing · 09/07/2025 07:09

KPPlumbing · 09/07/2025 06:59

I love hiking in the heat and would be pissed off with the suggestion that the hike is scrapped.

Before anyone comes for me, I'll add....and this is why I never join in with group hikes in the first place! I get too annoyed with people changing plans because of the weather, and can't handle walking slower than I would normally choose to.

StrawberryCranberry · 09/07/2025 07:09

Have a poll on the WhatsApp group with the four options (planned hike, shorter hike, no hike, everyone does whichever one they want - you can vote for more than one) and agree beforehand to abide by the democratic decision.

LaudCodec · 09/07/2025 07:09

I hike regularly and I wouldn’t go far in that kind of heat. I’d be setting off at 5am and make sure I had it in the bag before the main heat of the day. And then the pub. Surely you can split, some done, some do the other?

augustusglupe · 09/07/2025 07:10

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 08/07/2025 21:11

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

And take lots of water

This.
If you’re all seasoned hikers then you’ll know to start early.

toadandfrog · 09/07/2025 07:10

Is the point of thw get together to hike or to see eachother?
Sounds like the "pro" hikers think the reason if for the hike, and those wanting the pub think it's to get together...

But also, imo, its only 30c. Its not that bad if you're taking plenty of water and have some sort of shade available (even if it's an umberella).
I live somewhere it's at least low 30s all summer... we don't just stand inside all day everyday. When it's closer to 40 I'd understand not wanting to do a hike...

Confrontayshunme · 09/07/2025 07:13

lemoncake29 · 09/07/2025 07:05

Lots of different opinions which kind of reflects what’s going on in the group! Pro hikers are pissed off as they think we won’t actually see each other for more than an hour or two if we split up and do separate things.
We have all hiked similar distances before but never in heat like this and I don’t think it will be very enjoyable. I struggle in the heat, even basic tasks wear me out so it’s definitely a flat no to the whole thing from me. May consider a shorter route. If the drama continues I won’t go at all.

Question: what are the ages and sex of people who want the hike Vs don't? Because if the men want to hike because they don't want to sit and talk while a group of perimenopausal women are saying "my body can't cope with that", someone needs to speak up. I was once with my husband's mostly male family and they wanted to go on a boat ride to a remote island for a day with no toilet on the first day of my period. I tried to politely say no I don't think I'll like it or ai might get seasick, but they were so insistent I finally said "Listen, I will go, but without a toilet, I am going to bleed through my clothes in about an hour or so. If you can each carry a spare set of pants and trousers for me in your day bag, and then carry the dirty ones, I can probably make it work." Funnily enough they were fine with me skipping it after that!

Quirkswork · 09/07/2025 07:13

17 miles is really long on a hot day even if the terrain was flat. You would get through a lot of water. Is there shade along the route too? I'd shorten it and set off first thing. It would take you a day to do 17 miles anyway.

MrsEverest · 09/07/2025 07:16

We routinely hike in that sort of temperature (we’re in Australia) but wouldn’t dream of doing so if we weren’t accustomed to it or if we weren’t on the trail by 7am (we’d aim earlier).

TunnocksOrDeath · 09/07/2025 07:19

I don’t mind hiking in heat if I’ve planned properly, but I also believe that those who need to be pressured into a hike shouldn’t be on it. Hobbies are supposed to be things you actually want to do. I think splitting the group and meeting after at the pub is the sensible solution

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 09/07/2025 07:20

Can the pro hikers meet early at 7 and aim to do most of the hike with the rest of you meeting them for the last X miles at 11, hopefully in a shady area (like the beer garden). I think you need to clearly take the long hike off the table for you but whilst saying you are quite happy for them to do it before you meet up.

TimeForTeaAndToast · 09/07/2025 07:21

I walk similar distances and wouldn't do it in 30 degrees. I agree with meeting earlier and doing a shorter walk before the pub.

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