Would you let a young person climb a mountain in this weather?

[Zebradoodledo]

Opinion needed. 17yr old DD. Her workplace has had a hike up Snowden booked for the last few months for...... tomorrow. I've been keeping an eye on the weather situation and as most people are aware there has been an amber to red weather warning for extreme heat issued for Wednesday and Thursday. I spoke to DD earlier in the week about it, she the coach can't be rearranged for another day as they will lose the deposit for the coach but that they have all decided they will take it very slow and walk at the slowest persons speed and take lots of rest breaks
Last night I was looking at the weather and reports and hubby and I decided it wasn't safe..... she absolutely kicked off. Crying, palpitations, saying she wants to go blah blah blah. We tried to talk to her reasonably and showed her government advice about the weather, we were reasonable and gave all the evidence including that from hiking websites who advise against it and she was having absolutely none of it. She still wants to go. We ended up in a huge argument with her. She was sobbing and had a panic attack. We had to stop and we agreed to pick it up today and make the decision later. (She's not speaking to us this morning!!!)
I just don't know what to do?!?! She hates me right now, that's ok, I can take that. But even with all that here I am....still trying to find compromises even though every bone in my body says no!!!
Do I email the people she works with and ask for reassurances ? It's a social thing so not a work event.
She has 5litres of water she may need more, she's got to carry that though!!??! As well as everything else
She's never hiked like that before other than with DofE!!
She's bought all the right food (nutrition bars, couscous, dried fruit etc). Has sunblock and the right clothes.
She's argued the weather where we live is currently 'cloudy' but that's not to say tomorrow will be or will be in Wales. They're leaving at 6am so will arrive at 8am and it'll be walking through the main heat of the day.
At 17 she's still underage. We explained that we still have final say. Do I be the 'bad guy' or do I let her make her own decision? It's just a bloomin dangerous decision in my own humble opinion!!!! What are your thoughts?
Wishing for the toddler years ago...they seemed so much easier than parenting teenagers!!!!

At midday, no, not sensible, but at 5am or 6pm depending on their plans for descent, yes. They shouldn’t be stupid enough to put themselves and mountain rescue volunteers in jeopardy by going up in the middle of the day though.

I have advanced cancer and I have a planned 2 day hike on Thursday and Friday. I’m still going, but not starting til late afternoon, will take extra medicine with me that I need and electrolytes, and I have a plan in place to bail and Dh can collect me if necessary. I’m also an experienced hiker and wild camper.

I was part of a group who tried to do likewise once. After about an hour we abandoned the attempt and went to the beach instead.

Whether you think she should go or not your options are forbidding her to go or talking to her about how to keep herself and her friends safe.

I’m interested to know how you think you could legally/physically stop her at 17.

It'll be cooler on the summit of Snowden than most places in UK!

Just make sure she has really good sun hat, sun glasses, sun cream, spare socks as blisters occur more if feet are sweaty, very breathable gear, lots of water and either rehydration drinks or salty snacks.

And how does this relate to a day trip? Genuinely curious as to what you are afraid of?

Agree. It’s not extremely hot where she is going. Not all of Wales will be scorching. So normal Summer precautions, eg plenty of water, plenty of rest stops, sunblock and a hat. As long as they are going at the pace of the slowest member, they should be absolutely fine.

Actually, I think you have a point because the employer has a duty of care under Health and Safety rules.

So maybe you should ask your DD to ask whether the organiser has risk assessment in place for under-18s doing this activity.

Ah, right.

@Zebradoodledo I’d do my best to discourage her from going. It doesn’t matter the temp at the top, it’s the hiking in the heat that will be the issue. You’ve said she’d not a seasoned hiker so won’t be able to pace herself properly & there’s every chance she’ll overdo it. Also, it is possible to drink too much water & too quickly - this can also result in a hospital admission (I’ve seen this first hand - a young person who drank too much, too quickly at the start of a marathon in the summer months. Resulted in a HDU bed. I was in the bed opposite so heard it all). Good luck!

I said ‘the group’ - which I’d hope includes more mature people.

Let her go. Its one of those things she needs to experience for herself. She'll understand the reasons you said what you did after she's experienced it. With the whole panoc attqck business I feel like shes not going to be the hardiest.

Who is leading the trip and what is their experience? What safety provisions have they put in place?

I think I'd want to know who is leading it. If its not a workplace team building event who exactly is going and who exactly is organising it? Is there someone there who is able to lead a walk of this type who will navigate if things go wrong and who are insured? Or is this just a group of similarly inexperienced young adults who have clubbed in for the bus? If they've a proper walk leader with them I'd be less concerned but if it's just the blind leading the blind I'd be hesitant. Not just because of your dd - it sounds like she's thought about what she'll need, but that's not to say everyone else in the group will have.

I'd also be factoring in how fit and healthy your dd is. If she's reasonably fit and well then again I'd be less worried but if she's unfit and more prone to fatigue etc then I'd be more hesitant in this weather.

She should be OK for temperatures in their lower 20s, but I can’t imagine anyone as inexperienced as her carrying 5l of water on a flat walk let alone on an incline. 5l is heavy with no training.
She’ll probably have another hissy fit on the walk because her stuff is too heavy , and they’ll all cut the trip short.
I really would be more concerned about the dramatics she put on. It is a very extreme emotional reaction under the circumstances.

She’s done DofE. 5litres is 5kg, she’ll have carried more than that, presumably with some amount of inclines even if not quite such an uphill slog as snowdon.

Your reaction is somewhat OTT. Hers is utterly unhinged.

And couscous?

Couscous?!?

Why on earth do either of you consider that a vital hiking item?

I would let her.
They're all human and will all be in the heat so they will necessarily need to go slower and take breaks.
I would give her good advice and say you worry because you love her, and please be sensible.
I can imagine what a big deal it could feel to suddenly have to say to work mates that you can't go because mummy says no.
Tell her you are trusting her and to please consider it from your side too, and that it's not easy for mums to let go like this when they're worried.

I'd let her decide. She's not a baby. If my parents had banned me from going on a workplace trip, or contacted my employers fussing about it I'd have been MORTIFIED.

It's not going to be 40 degrees at the top of Snowdon. If they struggle there's a train. Just ensure she has a big hat and lots of sunscreen.

The forecast for that area tomorrow is a high of 23C and getting cooler as you climb. I wouldn't be troubled by that.

Oh god. I missed the couscous. Hoping it's an autocorrect mistake?

I would also say 5l of water is complete overkill, even if it is very hot. It's a maximum 3 hour walk to the summit where there is a cafe.

I would let her go. It won't be very enjoyable but as long as she's got plenty of water and suncream, she will be fine. I've hiked Snowdon many times despite not being particularly fit, and it's not particularly arduous, you get plenty of unprepared daytrippers in crocs and sandals. It's sounds like she is prepared.

The train needs to be booked in advance and often is fully booked for weeks ahead. You cannot book the downhill journey on its own, it's a return booking.

I live nearby and it's horribly hot and it wouldn't be very enjoyable in my opinion.
Shame they aren't going from PyP as they could just walk as far as the 2nd lake and splash about if they wanted.
Rhyd Ddu would be a bit of a long slog in the heat.

Re couscous - it’s a very good staple for something like a DofE expedition so they can make a hot meal just with water and a trangia. But for a day trip … not so much.

I understand why you are concerned and certainly I would not being doing that tomorrow.

However two things I find concerning. Yes technically she is still a minor but you are coming across as very controlling that the final decision is yours. You allow her work. Under no circumstances do you have the right to contact her workplace about something like this and at 17 I think you are controlling trying to forbade her to go.

Her reaction is also concerning but perhaps is a response to I am sure not the first instant of controlling behaviour.