Meeting naturists when hill walking - would you be worried?

[JGACC]

Hi all, I'm interested to gather women's thoughts on this. I read a Facebook post by Macclesfield police this morning asking people to report if they see a male naturist in the Peak District (screenshot attached) as there has been a lot of reports over the last few weeks. I was really surprised that the vast majority of the comments are saying it's legal (which yes it is) and to leave him alone. As a young female who often walks in the Peaks on my own my first thought was...I'd be worried and extremely uncomfortable if I came across him and would probably hide behind a tree or rock and try to call someone. Am I paranoid or is this actually fine and something I should take as lightly as the majority of the (mostly, but not all male) commenting public seem to?

I'll admit I was surprised to learn that it is entirely legal to wander round anywhere nude. It does seem a lot of naturists have no sexual intent and are more interested in being at one with nature. The man in question doesn't seem to have been reported as carrying out threatening behaviour and is probably harmless but it still makes me worried and I don't know if I'm ridiculous or not. (I would rather be ridiculous than not in this case!)

It wouldn't bother me as long as he was just walking about enjoying nature, I'd probably just give a cherry wave and try not to laugh!

If he was behaving suspiciously then maybe - the tone of the post by the police suggests he's not done anything untoward, but it seems like they maybe want a chat with him anyway? So I'm not really sure!

*cheery, oops

I wouldn’t be worried by a whole group of naturists out on a ramble, as it would be obvious that’s what they were.
But a single naked bloke could well be a flasher or predator or seriously mentally ill, and I would definitely be concerned for my safety.
And even a group ramble is a bit inconsiderate of other people’s feelings - many parents might not want their children exposed to naked adult genitals. Couldn’t naturists stick to their designated beaches or areas?

Some years ago, I was running on a deserted beach in Wales when a naked middle aged man wearing only sandals marched out of the dunes and down into the sea.

I was really uncomfortable with it then saw the map said nudist beach. So totally legal.

I didn't like it. It really unsettled me. And coming across a naked man randomly in the countryside away from a designated area would be worse.

Of course, it would almost never happen the other way round as a naked woman would be vulnerable rather than a threat.

How does anyone know whether he is a naturist or a flasher? I don't suppose he has a useful label

If he's naked he is, by definition, behaving suspiciously. Any man who forces an unwilling woman (or child) to look at his genitals is performing an aggressive act.

Anybody remember rhe naked rambler who made the news years ago - repeatedly arrested for offending public decency, got locked up, but went straight out again when released? What happened to him - or is this the same chap?

Back in the 90s I came across the Ilkley moor naturist on a couple of occasions - the first in a thick fog (companion and I were peering into the mist as he approached going "is it my imagination?" "Yes, no, yes..." "Definitely a willy"). I found surreal and odd but not threatening.

It wouldn’t bother me but I’d think he was a wrong ‘un.

Remember the naked rambler a few years back? Didn't he end up going to prison or something? But then, if it's legal, why was he arrested in the first place?

I wouldn't be happy to come across a naked man when out walking. I can understand people going to designated nudist beaches or facilities with like-minded people (even though I'd never want to do it myself) because everyone is in agreement. But a single individual wandering around naked feels very different, like forcing other random people to indulge him. It might not be sexual but it's certainly a power trip.

@Babdoc

Anybody remember rhe naked rambler who made the news years ago - repeatedly arrested for offending public decency, got locked up, but went straight out again when released? What happened to him - or is this the same chap?

I assume he had serious mental health issues. He hasn't been heard of for a while.

I would not like coming across this.

I'd be very surprised and my first thought might be that something has happened to the naked person until it becomes apparent he's happily walking around naked. I wouldn't feel any less safe if I was walking in an isolated area and saw a naked man compared to a fully dressed one.

I wouldn't feel any less safe if I was walking in an isolated area and saw a naked man compared to a fully dressed one.

I'd be interested to know how many women feel safe walking alone in isolated areas at all.

I’d be very unhappy about that. Don’t want to have to look at random naked men - if I did I’d go to a naturist beach.

It would concern me if I was by myself. Of course. I’d be out of there very quickly.

But. Speaking of coming across a naturist makes me think of this which was quite funny. Warning : nudity shown (naked bum)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53692475

I came across a naked man walking down from my university campus years ago, in the middle of a field. He was extremely confident and clearly liked the attention. I was scared and ran home. It's not a normal occurrence and I was on my own. I have no idea whether this was his 'thing', or whether he was trying to get young females to look at him, or whether he just liked the outdoors, but either way it was stressful for me.

This came up on a walking page a while ago.

It seemed to surprise many of the men that most of the women walked alone but were always vigilant, never as relaxed as they were when out alone. The conversation was quite intense, one man I particular telling women not to be so bigoted, not men were out to rape them.

One woman asked him if he wore a badge identifying himself as a non rapist... He was fit to be tied! After a lot of shouting another male poster seemed to suddenly understand and apologised for having been so dismissive. That started a totally different conversation between the male posters.

The upshot was that whilst the lone naturist was not doing anything illegal he was deliberately ignoring the fact that he could be intimidating and that that itself was proof of male privilege.

So... that's about 15 men who now understand what women mean. And they got there themselves, which hopefully means they won't forget it.

I've met a Willy Waver whilst out walking the dog in quite an isolated place. He did nothing to put me at ease, he just laughed and stood stick still, face on to me, forcing me to shuffle off the path the get round him. I posted on local FB page and explained that his actions, deliberate blocking of the path, utter lack of empathy, meant that I wouldn't be walking there again and would now be worried wherever I walked. I didn't identify him but he responded... I'm an uptight bitch apparently!

I walk alone (well, with my dog) in very isolated spots and I'm not unduly worried. A man with rape on his mind would have a VERY long wait if he was inclined to hang around for a victim where I go, and if I see a lone man approaching then I tend to get my phone out and pretend to be talking to someone if I feel worried.

Mind you, I'd actually have to admire anyone naked rambling in the conditions we've got at the moment - exposure would be a very real possibility, as would frostbite!

Any chance of coming across a naked female rambler alone ? No. This is male dominance dressed up (hah!) as harmless eccentricity.

A man was found wandering naked in the children's play park next to the local primary and nursery school.

I dont think being nude in public around others is acceptable.

I'd be concerned about exposure in this country - brrrr!

Taking your clothes off in public is a classic indication of mental illness or drunkenness and women in particular are tuned by years of evolutionary development to notice and be on alert when someone is acting strangely and possibly dangerously. You're not being ridiculous, OP, and he needs to be found. As a PP in the thread above attests, the men who behave like this often have some very unpleasant mind sets.

@Babdoc

Anybody remember rhe naked rambler who made the news years ago - repeatedly arrested for offending public decency, got locked up, but went straight out again when released? What happened to him - or is this the same chap?

I bet you're right. (I do remember that story.)

The worrying thing is, they can't actually stop him? Nearly all of the comments on the Facebook post are in support of him or making jokes. I don't want to comment and seem like I'm making a fuss which makes me hate myself because I'm normally quite outspoken.

I walk on my own and I'm generally not at all worried. Interestingly I would say younger solo men don't stop to talk (maybe worried they would be seen as suspicious?) but more older men do to chat about the route/weather and just come across as friendly people who also enjoy the hills. However I really would be very worried if I came across someone with no clothes on. And like another poster touched on, part of that fear comes from, if they think it is ok to force me to see them naked what else do they think is ok? If that isn't inconsiderate what else is acceptable?

And as other posters have also said...is that really sensible in our climate?! Basic hill walking safety is surely to carry waterproofs, spare socks etc!

I would be totally frightened if I came across a naked man while I was out walking. It feels very aggressive to me, to walk about like that knowing that you're exposing your genitals to anyone who is walking by, and either not caring that you are causing distress or actively enjoying others' discomfort.