The Grip of Hiking

Once hiking grabs you, it never lets go. The thrill of it; nothing else comes close. Each step pulls you higher, closer to the sky, to freedom. Every stride feels like a win, like you’re conquering something bigger than yourself. You climb, and the world shrinks to just you and the trail, where the air is so fresh it stings your lungs clean. No city smog, no honking horns; just pure, wild air that tastes like life itself. In cities, we’re trapped between towering buildings, cut off from nature’s peace. Our souls crave that calm, that connection. When you hike, you step into it; into the dirt, the trees, the streams; and your body sighs, This is home. You’re where you belong, surrounded by earth’s heartbeat.

Morning Adventure in Islamabad

This morning, I woke before dawn in Islamabad, September 26, when the air still bites but the day warms fast. I hopped on my motorbike, the chill nipping at my fingers, but I didn’t care; it wasn’t that cold. Islamabad’s winters are gentle; by midday, it’s warm, but mornings and evenings wrap you in a cool hug. I rode to my trail, parked my bike, and started climbing.

The Beauty of the Trail

The weather was perfect, the kind that makes you feel alive. The stream beside the trail was clearer than ever; last time, rain had churned it to mud, but today, no rain, no murk. The water sparkled, so transparent you could see pebbles two feet down, glinting like treasures. Springs fed the stream, trickling in like soft music, flowing alongside me as I climbed.

Joy in Every Step

Each step brought joy, a quiet thrill. The trail was stunning; sometimes I walked on the right of the stream, sometimes the left, weaving through nature’s rhythm. The water’s flow was a melody, splashing against rocks, blending with the rustle of leaves and the crunch of my boots. In that stillness, the world got so quiet I could hear my own breath; fast and heavy as I pushed upward. Some rocks were steep, forcing big steps that left me panting. You feel your lungs working, your heart pounding, like your body’s singing its own song.

Lessons from the Rocks

I had to wade through the stream at times, stepping on slick stones. I’ve learned this trail’s secrets: black rocks slip, but white ones grip. Those white stones? They’re just black rocks coated by water’s minerals, hardened into a safe path over time.

Reaching the Mountain Pool

After an hour; not thirty minutes, a full hour; I reached my favorite spot: a pool fed by the mountain’s streams. I love swimming there; it’s my ritual. I pulled out my phone and froze; I forgot the waterproof case at home. Panic hit, but then I remembered: my phone can handle water. So I jumped in. I braced for a shock of cold, but the water was fresh, alive, wrapping me in a rush that woke every inch of my body.

Swimming in Freedom

I swam for an hour, losing track of time, floating in that pure, electric feeling. I snapped underwater photos; clearer than ever. Last time, the case dulled the shots, but today, with no cover, every detail popped, sharp as the moment itself.

A Stranger’s Kindness

I wanted a video; me swimming underwater, gliding like a fish; but I was alone, the trail empty in the early morning. After ninety minutes of swimming, I was ready to leave when a German hiker appeared. Her accent was soft, her braid blonde, her face kind. She was there to swim too. I asked, “Can you film me?” She smiled, “Sure.” I told her to hold the phone underwater while I swam toward it. She stood in the pool, steady, as I dove and glided past. The video was stunning, capturing the water’s clarity, my movement, the moment.

A Brief Connection

I thanked her, wanting to say more, but the cold was creeping in. I climbed out, threw on dry clothes, and hiked higher, chasing the sun to warm up.

Chasing the Sun

The peak was high, the sun still shy. I climbed, hoping for its glow, but it was too early. So I turned back, descending until sunlight finally spilled over the rocks. I lay there, letting the warmth sink into my bones, then hiked down to my bike and rode home, the trail’s music still humming in my chest.

Share the Journey

Follow my adventures on Storily.me; see the trails, the streams, the moments that make me feel alive! #Travel #NatureLovers #Hiking

Write an email to writer at kazmi@storily.me