Kashmir’s Iron Walker who turned trekking into a movement

Srinagar, Apr 25: At dawn in Srinagar, when the city is still stretching awake, Manzoor Mir has already covered miles.

Not metaphorical miles, but real ones.

By the time most people sip their first cup of tea, he has walked, jogged, and climbed through nearly half a marathon. And by the time the city settles into routine, he has often logged over 30 kilometres.

At 57, his mornings are not defined by rest but by relentless motion.

Where It All Began

Long before endurance challenges and Himalayan trails, there was a young boy walking through the bustling heart of Lal Chowk.

A student of Tyndale Biscoe School, Manzoor did not begin walking out of ambition but necessity.

Pocket money was scarce, just 25 paise.

“Ten paise for this, ten paise for that,” he recalls. “We had no money left for transport. So we walked.”

What began as compulsion soon became habit.

What became habit slowly turned into passion.

And over time, that passion shaped a life.

A Routine Built on Discipline

Today, decades later, that same habit has evolved into an extraordinary routine.

His day begins before sunrise, with prayers, followed by a carefully structured diet and then the walk.

From his home in Nishat in Srinagar, he covers nearly 10 kilometres before even reaching his regular walking circuit near the Polo Ground. There, surrounded by a circle of friends, the “real workout” begins.

Together, they push another 12–13 kilometres.

In total, his daily distance ranges between 25 and 30 kilometres, a figure that would challenge even seasoned athletes.

“This takes around four hours every morning,” he says.

And he does it every day.

Fuelling Body, Training Mind

Unlike many endurance athletes, Manzoor keeps his diet remarkably simple.

No non-vegetarian food. No excess.

Instead, he relies on eggs for protein, black chickpeas soaked overnight, figs, raisins, almonds, lentils, and salads.

“I eat less, but I eat right,” he says.

It is not just about physical strength, it’s about consistency.

The Social Side of Solitude.

Despite spending hours walking, Manzoor’s routine is far from lonely.

His morning circle, 40 to 50 regular walkers from different professions, forms an ecosystem of conversation, debate, and companionship.

“That is my motivation,” he says. “I go not just for walking but to meet them.”

In an age dominated by screens, he prefers real conversations over virtual interactions.

“On social media, you take in things. But here, you discuss, you argue, and you learn.”

For him, walking is not just exercise, it is engagement.

Family, Sacrifice, and Support

Such discipline comes with trade-offs.

Manzoor rarely attends social gatherings. Even weddings are avoided.

“I don’t eat there. People might feel bad,” he says.

But behind this lifestyle stands a strong support system.

His son manages most of the family business. His daughter and wife handle social responsibilities.

“I am thankful to my children,” he says. “They have made this possible.”

The Trekker Who Built Trekkers

Over the years, Manzoor has quietly transformed into more than just a mountaineer, he has become a guide, a mentor, and an enabler.

From recommending trails in Uri, Rafiabad, to encouraging beginners to explore the 360-degree trail around Shankaracharya Hill, he has made adventure accessible.

“If you don’t have the desire,” he tells youngsters, “create it.”

His philosophy is simple, start small, stay consistent, and stay real.

Mountains, Milestones, and Memories

His journey across decades is marked by both quiet achievements and formidable climbs.

Starting his mountaineering journey in 1978, he has scaled peaks across Kashmir and beyond.

He has also explored remote crash sites in the mountains, climbing peaks connected to aviation tragedies from the 1960s, not once but twice.

Even during the years of the 90s in Kashmir, when trekking slowed down, he found ways to continue.

“We had that ‘sorrow’ in us,” he says, smiling. “Some people have cricket, some have football. For us, it was mountaineering.”

The Ultimate Test: 113 Kilometres

All of this led to one defining moment, the Surya Dev Bhoomi Challenge 2, a gruelling 113-kilometre endurance event hosted with the support of the Indian Army.

Held in the high-altitude terrains around Badrinath, the challenge pushed participants to their limits over three days.

Manzoor completed it with the 147th rank across India and 14th in his age category

But for him, the achievement was never about rankings.

It was about proving something deeper.

A Message Beyond Mountains

Ask him what he would tell today’s generation, and he doesn’t hesitate.

“Life is not on the screen,” he says.

“You have to move on roads, in gardens, and in mountains.”

He urges people to step out, build routines, and find purpose beyond digital spaces.

“Give your mind a reason,” he says. “A reason to wake up.”

Still Walking, Still Leading

Even today, his phone rings with parents and youngsters seeking guidance.

Where to go. How to start. What it takes.

And every time, he answers.

Because for Manzoor Mir, the journey was never meant to be walked alone.

It was always meant to create a path for others to follow.