Thanks all (I particularly like the "christmas in 20 years time" story)
When I say he doesn't have a walking background - he
canwalk and does so on say bank holiday family walks etc but we don't generally take him every weekend...
He is not the running around, climbing up trees type of kid - he is probably the oldest 10 year old I have ever known but I accept that walking is different to say athletics. (which he takes deadly seriously..)
We will have back up on the 3 peaks so bailing out can obviously be managed.
We are taking him out tomorrow (weather permitting) with the sole intention of trying to "knock his duck off". We intend to do a short (5 mile) but tough circuit round edale and Barber Booth
If he comes back bouncing off the walls having loved it- then he gets the same next week.
If he can't stand it then nothing really lost. After 2 or 3 weeks more of this - we will all be in a better position to make an informed decision.
I don't want to kill his enthusiasm for walking or sport generally - (he really loves his athletics) but at the same time, do whats best for all of us.
hmmm parental dilema
will keep you posted...