Ghosted Survivor

Day 3 – The perfect final hike of my first ever multi-day trip. Today was all about relaxing, especially after yesterday’s hike. I was in cruise control the whole way, just moving steadily and taking in the views of the Lake District from above Kendal. At the start, around Kendal itself, there was black ice everywhere — but at least this time it was visible and easy to avoid, unlike yesterday where it was hidden under snow. If you want to see the Lake District from afar without actually climbing deep into it, this is the perfect hike. Mushroom Scar sits right at the centre, offering 360° panoramic views of mountains and fells in every direction. The sun was out, the vibes were relaxed, and it felt like the right way to end the trip. A final goodbye to what turned out to be an incredible three-day journey. Alhamdulillah. 07th December (Wednesday) 09:07 - 13:04 Total Distance: 16.27KM Total Moving Time: 3:25:43 Avg Moving Speed: 4.7km/h Avg Moving Pace: 12:39min/km Fastest KM: 11:30 Slowest KM: 18:06 Avg BPM: 107 Max BPM: 151 Ascent: 451m Weather: 2°C Total Calories Burned: 858

Day 2 – The most dangerous hike I’ve ever done. What started as a beautiful winter hike in falling snow quickly turned into a nightmare. After yesterday feeling like summer, today was the complete opposite. Fresh snow blanketed everything, turning the Lake District into a proper winter scene. The views were fascinating — snow-covered fells, silence, and raw winter atmosphere. At Potter Fell, the reality of the conditions really hit. There were two absolute madmen ice-skating across a fully frozen solid pond — something I’ve never seen on a hike before. It looked surreal, but it was also a warning of how dangerous things had become. The higher I climbed, the worse it got. Visibility completely disappeared and I started slipping. Hidden beneath the snow were thick sheets of black ice from flooded paths that had frozen solid. You couldn’t see them at all. Every step felt like a gamble. I fell over five times. The first fall was the worst — legs went up into the air like something out of a movie. My bag broke some of the impact on the later falls. From that point on, it wasn’t about enjoyment anymore. It was about staying alert, staying upright, and getting back down safely. A serious reminder of how quickly conditions can change in the mountains — and how unforgiving winter can be. 06th December (Tuesday) 10:04 - 15:28 Total Distance: 24.64KM Total Moving Time: 4:19:47 Avg Moving Speed: 5.7km/h Avg Moving Pace: 10:33min/km Fastest KM: 11:12 Slowest KM: 17:40 Avg BPM: 130 Max BPM: 177 Ascent: 854m Weather: 1°C Total Calories Burned: 1,550

Day 1 – Welcome to the Lakes. Windermere didn’t disappoint. First hike of 2026 and it set the tone perfectly. -3°C, clear blue skies, no wind, sun blazing — honestly felt more like a summer day than winter. Seeing the Lake District up close for the first time was surreal. The views were unreal, and what stood out most was the silence. At the summit of Wansfell Pike, not a single gust of wind. Just calm, stillness, and complete tranquility. I laid down, sunbathing, nearly fell asleep up there. Towards the end of the hike, walking alongside Lake Windermere, watching the sun set while the cruises passed by — it genuinely felt like being on a beach on holiday. There was even a fighter jet flying overhead throughout the day, but apparently this is normal in the Lakes. Today wasn’t about pace or stats. It was about soaking in every moment from start to finish. Another amazing day. Alhamdulillah. 05th January (Monday) 09:53 - 16:17 Total Distance: 21.87KM Total Moving Time: 4:24:06 Avg Moving Speed: 5km/h Avg Moving Pace: 12:05min/km Fastest KM: 10:02 Slowest KM: 18:18 Avg BPM: 127 Max BPM: 182 Ascent: 784m Weather: -3°C Total Calories Burned: 1,606

Final hike of the year — goodbye 2025. An icy, wintery day to close the chapter. The sun was out, but up on the moors the wind was relentless, cutting through everything and making it feel far colder than the temperature suggested. Thankfully, the ground was frozen — without that, large sections of this route would’ve been a muddy, flooded mess. From this location you can spot RAF Menwith Hill, standing out clearly against the landscape. A word of warning: do not attempt the stepping stones across the river like I did. They are extremely dangerous — slippery, uneven, and requiring awkward leaps. Halfway across, one of the next stepping stones was missing entirely, forcing me to turn back and find an alternative route. Not worth the risk. A fitting way to close out the year — cold, quiet, reflective. Grateful to finish 2025 strong. 31st December (Wednesday) 09:29 - 13:11 Total Distance: 17.74KM Total Moving Time: 3:13:11 Avg Moving Speed: 5.2km/h Avg Moving Pace: 11:32min/km Fastest KM: 9:52 Slowest KM: 14:27 Avg BPM: 125 Max BPM: 171 Ascent: 482m Weather: 1°C, 84% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 1,021

This run was on the verge of failure — until a small miracle showed up. At 2.3km my heart rate spiked to 196 bpm and I was forced to stop running. Legs felt heavy, breathing was all over the place, and mentally I had already accepted that this 5K might slip away. I slowed to a walk, fully prepared to call it a rough one. Then a brother ran past me and said, “You’re doing well, brother.” That single moment flipped the switch. I immediately started running again to catch up and ended up joining him for the rest of the run. He was clearly more experienced — talking comfortably the whole way while I was gasping for air — but he kept encouraging me. His technique was simple but effective: short 10-second walks at junctions to bring the heart rate down, then straight back into running. It worked, and it carried me through. I jogged him home, we exchanged numbers, and I finished the run strong — completing the 5K in under 30 minutes. Without him, this run would’ve ended early. No doubt about it. A reminder that sometimes strength comes from unexpected places. Final 5K of the year — Alhamdulillah. 30th December (Tuesday) 16:28-16:57 Total Distance: 5KM Avg Speed: 10.1km/h Avg Pace KM: 5:57min/km Fastest KM: 5:38 Slowest KM: 6:32 Avg BPM: 180 Max BPM: 198 Ascent: 43m Weather: 3°C, 85% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 356

Panoramic landscape, a valley sunrise, and a final win at Win Hill — a day that reminded me why I hike. The first hour was a steady climb in complete darkness, headtorch on, silence all around. Some may ask what enjoyment there is in walking uphill before sunrise — but moments like what followed answer that question. Reaching the top of the incline, I was welcomed by the sunrise breaking through the valley. Panoramic views opened up, clear skies above, and scenery that stopped me in my tracks. The joy I felt is hard to put into words. All praises be to God. As the hike continued, it only got better. The sky turned crystal blue, the path was clear and well laid throughout, and the fields were bright green, decorated with beautiful trees. Everything felt perfectly placed. Just when I thought the best moments were behind me, the final stretch delivered one last gift — Win Hill. The ascent led to the trig point, where I was greeted with full 360° panoramic views. Mam Tor and Kinder Scout stood proudly in the distance, with three reservoirs resting below. At that moment, the name Win Hill made complete sense — what a win. I often say I’ve had my best hike yet, but this one truly takes the top spot. Once again, all praise be to God for what He has created for us to reflect upon — crafted with a precision no human could ever replicate. To finish the day, I drove into Sheffield and attended Friday prayer at Sheffield Grand Mosque. The perfect ending — pure tranquility. Overall, a flawless day. 10/10. Feeling strong, grateful, and grounded. 26th December (Sunday) 06:46 - 11:51 Total Distance: 24.6KM Total Moving Time: 4:15:25 Avg Moving Speed: 5.8km/h Avg Moving Pace KM: 10:24min/km Fastest KM: 7:40 Slowest KM: 14:47 Avg BPM: 144 Max BPM: 191 Ascent: 809m Weather: 2°C, 82% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 1,868

Started off a bit messy — went off route early on, which turned the first section into fence-hopping over barbed wire, farm after farm, until finally finding my way back onto the trail. Not ideal, but part of the adventure. The real challenges came next: Pendle Hill followed by another steep climb a few kilometres later. Both were tough, especially after easing off a bit over the past few weeks. The legs definitely felt it, but pushing through nearly 1000m of ascent made the effort worth it — an achievement in itself. Mid-hike, I stopped for a hot coffee alongside my lunch, which honestly hit the spot. It’s slowly becoming a tradition now — finding coffee in the middle of nowhere. A small privilege that never gets old. Overall, a solid session. Challenging, humbling, and exactly what I needed. 20th December (Saturday) 07:56 - 14:12 Total Distance: 26KM Total Moving Time: 4:52:16 Avg Moving Speed: 5.3km/h Avg Moving Pace KM: 11:14min/km Fastest KM: 6:50 Slowest KM: 21:04 Avg BPM: 142 Max BPM: 190 Ascent: 985m Weather: 2°C, 85% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 2,164

Unexpected. Unplanned. Unprepared. A 10K that couldn’t have gone any better. Set out with the intention of running 5K — no warm-up, empty stomach, and no water to hydrate along the way. Mid-run, I told myself I’d assess how I felt and aim for 7.5K if the body allowed it. At 4K, the decision was made: we’re going for it. What surprised me most was realising that after 5K… it actually got easier. I settled in; legs stopped burning, breathing stabilised, and heart rate dropped — something I never expected to experience. What was quite funny was that a thought came to mind; it told my body that there’s no stopping now until 10K is done. I found this quite hilarious as it was like the mind wanted to torture the body. A big milestone unlocked today before the year ended; a new personal record for longest run. Content, Humble, and Grateful. Alhamdullilah! 14th December (Sunday) 10:58-12:00 Total Distance: 10KM Avg Speed: 9.7km/h Avg Pace KM: 6:10min/km Fastest KM: 5:35 Slowest KM: 6:30 Avg BPM: 181 Max BPM: 196 Ascent: 100m Weather: 9°C, 85% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 727

Today was about pure enjoyment, and there was no better place to start than Manchester Victoria in the early hours of the morning. The city was still half asleep, and the architecture at that time felt quiet, grand, and full of character — the kind of calm you only get before the day properly begins. Walking along the Bridgewater Canal, I was accompanied by a grey heron, seagulls, ducks, and swans as the sun slowly rose. Watching the light spread across the water was grounding and peaceful — one of those moments that makes you slow down without trying. The route took me past Manchester United’s stadium and into Sale Water Park in Stretford, where calm reservoir views carried the tranquillity forward. Mid-hike cravings were answered perfectly — the moment I wanted a coffee, it appeared. Perfect timing, as always. From there, I joined the Fallowfield Loop, which was buzzing with life. Hundreds of runners filled the path — organised events mixed with locals out for their morning sessions — giving the whole stretch a lively, motivating energy. By the time I reached Wilmslow Road, my appetite kicked in again. I stopped at ‘A Cup of Chai’ and ordered a full English with a cup of chai — pun fully intended. Inside, the atmosphere was calm and soothing, with Qur’an recitation playing softly in the background. It felt like a proper reset before continuing the journey. With 7.5km still to go, the walk burned it all off nicely. Just when I thought the hike couldn’t get any better, I arrived at Platt Fields Park, where a man was feeding a huge flock of birds as the sun reflected across the pond. Green parrots flew overhead, playfully pecking at one another — completely unexpected and surreal. To finish, I reached a mosque and stopped to pray. That moment was easily the most peaceful part of an already tranquil journey. Heading back toward the train station, the city had fully come alive — Christmas vibes in the air, busy markets, and the striking architecture around Manchester University Museum providing the perfect closing scene. 13th December (Saturday) 06:32-13:48 Total Distance: 25.96KM Avg Moving Speed: 5.3km/h Avg Moving Pace KM: 12:46min/km Fastest KM: 9:43 Slowest KM: 16:34 Avg BPM: 98 Max BPM: 137 Ascent: 154m Weather: 5°C, 90% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 1,154

Overall a nice, relaxed mid-week hike. I was in cruise control the whole journey, keeping a steady rhythm from start to finish. Managed to fit in a 1km jog just to get a feel for running in hiking boots. Stopped at Lindley Woods for ablution, and honestly it couldn’t have been more perfect. A small waterfall was descending from the top of the woods like a natural tap and sink placed right in the middle of the forest. Made wudu there and prayed a few kilometres further up — one of those moments that makes the whole hike feel extra meaningful. The sun was shining through the clouds for most of the route, giving everything that calm mid-week energy. Another simple but refreshing hike in the books. 11th December (Thursday) 09:38-13:46 Total Distance: 17.28KM Avg Moving Speed: 5.2km/h Avg Moving Pace KM: 11:30min/km Fastest KM: 7:16 Slowest KM: 15:25 Avg BPM: 113 Max BPM: 177 Ascent: 276m Weather: 8°C, 86% Humidity Total Calories Burned: 1,029