Welcome to another edition of my newsletter.

I completed my 100th Parkrun on 24-Aug-2024 at Bromley and it was mixed with many emotions. I am grateful to a lot of people. My wife for always being supportive and for creating this wonderful Parkrun community that we have here. Grateful to my son who always enjoys the runs and never wants me to stop. Grateful to Monty for introducing me to Parkrun in 2017 when we first moved to this area and getting me and my wife hooked to it. I am also grateful to all my friends who run with us regularly at the Parkrun and those friends who join us for coffee afterwards. I am grateful to the Parkrun community for infecting us with such wonderful, positive and vibrant energy with their group of volunteers who work every Saturday without fail, be it rain or snow or sunshine. Finally, grateful to all the participants who show up despite the challenges and struggles in their lives.

I travelled to Prague for my second work trip this year in August and it was quite fruitful. It was a good time spent catching up with colleagues, discussing about the future, and our next steps and hanging out with them after work for food and drinks. I did a 11K run while there and it was a wonderful way to explore the city and all its historical buildings.

I attended the Vegan Runners social at Unity Diner in August 2024 and it was incredible. The conversations with fellow vegan runners are always insightful but the food was delicious as well.

A friend of ours from our local Parkrun group suffers from Crohn’s disease. She decided to do the Run 60 challenge in September 2024 and asked us if we would like to join her. We all said yes and it was a great way to challenge ourselves by running/walking/jogging/hiking 60 miles in a period of 1 month. I completed the challenge on 23-Sep-2024 and felt good participating in this challenge with 9 other friends. It was a fun yet challenging way to get us active for a worthy cause.

A friend of mine invited me to the UK premiere of the movie Fortitude at Regent Street Cinema. The movie covered multiple aspects of the space industry covering interesting use cases that we never think of outside of the big shots like SpaceX and Blue Origin. It’s available on Prime Video and worth watching. Thanks to my friend, who was in the Q&A panel after the film, for recommending the film and arranging free entry for me.

We went on an all-inclusive Jet2holidays to the Liberty Fabay resort in Fethiye. The resort itself was clean and had all the amenities one could think of. It had its own private beach and lots of swimming pools. This was our first proper all-inclusive holiday and we really enjoyed it. I got hooked on Afro House music after listening to it in their Patara Beach Snack Bar.

I recently purchased the Mono Winged Edition - Black by LUNA Sandals. I have a bunion on my left foot and am always in pain whenever I wear shoes. So I thought of looking at alternate options and found these. These sandals can be used for both on-road and off-road thanks to the Vibram Morflex sole.

Table of Contents

• ⛰️🚶UK National Three Peaks Challenge

  • Peak #1 - Ben Nevis

  • Peak #2 - Scafell Pike

  • Peak #3 - Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

• 🔐Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

  • What is PQC and why does it matter?

  • What is a Quantum computer?

  • Key concepts in Quantum computing

  • What’s at risk?

  • Current encryption algorithms (used today)

  • Quantum algorithms (potential future threat)

  • PQC algorithms

• ❤️ Things I enjoyed

⛰️🚶UK National Three Peaks Challenge

I completed the Open National Three Peaks Challenge in August along with Gareth, with whom I did the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge as well. I must give him credit though for participating in this challenge just weeks after getting a knee surgery done. Kudos to his effort and determination.

Essentially, the challenge covers hiking to the summit of the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales which are -

• Ben Nevis, in Scotland (1345m)

• Scafell Pike, in England (978m)

• Snowdon, in Wales (1085m)

We started our journey by taking a flight from London Gatwick to Glasgow. From there we took a bus to Fort William. After checking into our room at Bank Street Lodge, we went out to buy snacks for the hike the next day as well as some dinner. We had our dinner at The Geographer. We got really lucky with our timing as there was a long queue afterwards. And since the restaurant had good vegan options it was easy to choose for me. After dinner, we were quite happy to go to our room and watch the Olympic games and relax and pack for the next day.

Peak #1 - Ben Nevis

We woke up early to get ready for a 07:30 hrs start. The day had to be executed with clockwork precision if we wanted to hit the timeframe of completing the challenge in 24 hours.

The hike started, after a quick ride from the station to the Ben Nevis visitor centre. We had three group leaders with each group consisting of approx. 10 people. We were with group 1, the fastest, and were at the front almost the whole hike.

The Ben Nevis hike can be done easily since it’s got a proper tourist path. But as we scaled up the mountain, the winds became crazier and there was dense fog. Luckily there was no rain and were dry all the way to the top. But it poured heavily for around 10 minutes on our descent where we got drenched to our underwear. The hike to the top took us about 3 hours while the return took about 2 hours with multiple breaks in between to let the rest of the group catch us and for snack/pee/water breaks.

The hike itself is not very difficult but the elevation gain actually makes it difficult, especially the downhill section. I saw a guy with a twisted ankle on our descent. The leg looked like that from a ghost film. Having hiking poles helps a lot. Both me and Gareth were the first ones to reach the base of the summit.

I was glad we had a guide since it’s easy to get lost when the dry line starts, where there are only rocks and no vegetation, as it’s very difficult to navigate. We also don’t have to worry about the route or the pacing as the guide would decide it. That takes a lot of stress out of the equation when you are running against time.

After a quick change of clothes at the base, and changing from hiking shoes to slippers, we went on our way to the next peak.

Peak #2 - Scafell Pike

After a very long drive, we reached the base of the Scafell Pike in the Lake District at Wasdale - Lake Head car park. We had a break for lunch on our way here but that was about it. We managed to get some sleep whatever little we could.

This was going to be the shortest hike of the challenge. But this time we would need headtorches for the descent. We reached the summit in 2 hours and back to the base in 1 hour. But it was after sunset so we all needed to wear head torches. Again we were the fastest group to reach the summit as well as the fastest group in the descent. Again, both me and Gareth reached the base of the summit first.

The hike itself can be considered easy because the elevation gain and the distance covered are the least among the three peaks. But bear in mind this is after a 5-hour hike to Ben Nevis and a very long drive to this peak. Nutrition and hydration are key to preventing any cramps or dehydration.

We were then off to our third and final peak in the middle of the night.

Peak #3 - Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

We reached the Pen y Pass car park for the start of our summit just before dawn. After a quick toilet break, we were off to ascend our final summit. We didn’t get much sleep on the bus. The distance between Scafell and Snowdon is also less so the drive was not very long. But it was a beautiful morning to begin our ascent to the final peak.

We followed the Pyg track for the ascent and the Llanberis Path for the descent. This is the only peak where the ascent and the descent use different paths. The path to the summit is pretty intense and rises in some sections very quickly but it’s a short path compared to the descent. The route is quite scenic and we got really lucky with the weather. The summit views were spectacular and really worth it especially since we reached early morning.

The only downside is the hike back to the base which is really dull and boring. Lots of stones and no character all the way to the base. But a lot of people prefer this path since its a long gradual climb so can be easily done. This path also follows the railway track that takes people all the way to the summit who don’t want to hike all the way up.

We reached the base of the summit and our bus in just over 24 hours. Basically, because of mandatory driver breaks and other regulations, it’s not possible to do the challenge in 24 hours, especially with a big group like ours. What they do instead is add our hiking time to the total driving time of 11 hours. So we got a final time of 22 hours and 47 minutes. But the elapsed time was more than 24 hours.

It is nevertheless a proper challenge and a must-do for people who want to seek more from their hiking and walks.

The guides do have a time limit for each group and if the group is not able to reach the summit on time then they descend without going to the top. So you need a fair bit of fitness to complete the challenge but not a lot.

After completing the challenge, we were dropped at Chester station where we took the train back to London. But before we boarded our train, we had a nice big meal at one of the pubs opposite the Chester station.

🔐Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

Post Quantum Cryptography or PQC is focused on developing classical algorithms that are safe from any decryption attempts by quantum algorithms.

What is PQC and why does it matter?

Today, most of our online security, like passwords, bank transactions, and private communications, is protected using cryptography. It’s like a digital lock on our data.

Quantum computers, which are a new kind of super-powerful computers, are being developed. These could eventually break the current "locks" we use for encryption.

PQC is a new type of encryption that is designed to be safe even against quantum computers. Think of it as creating new, unbreakable locks to keep our data safe in the future.

What is a Quantum computer?

A regular computer uses bits, which are like switches that can either be "on" or "off" (1 or 0). A quantum computer uses qubits, which can be both "on" and "off" at the same time, thanks to quantum physics. This allows it to solve certain problems much faster.

One of the problems quantum computers could solve is breaking the encryption we currently use to protect sensitive information, like credit card numbers or medical records.

Key concepts in Quantum computing

• Superposition - Think of it like a coin spinning in the air. While it's spinning, it’s not just heads or tails it's both at once. In the same way, qubits can be 0 and 1 simultaneously, allowing quantum computers to perform multiple calculations at the same time.

• Entanglement - When qubits become entangled, their states are linked, meaning the state of one qubit directly affects the state of another, even if they are far apart. This connection allows quantum computers to coordinate their qubits in ways that classical computers cannot.

• Quantum Interference - Quantum computers can use interference to enhance the right answers and cancel out the wrong ones during a computation, increasing their efficiency.

What’s at risk?

If quantum computers become powerful enough, they could crack the codes that protect government, business, and personal data. Hackers or malicious organizations could steal or misuse this information.

Quantum computers are still in the experimental phase, but experts believe that in the next 10-20 years, they might be able to break current encryption. We need to prepare now to stay ahead.

Current encryption algorithms (used today)

Think of encryption as a system of digital locks that protect sensitive information, like a password or credit card number. The lock can only be opened by someone who has the key. In today’s world, the locks we use are very strong, but they rely on the fact that no one can quickly figure out the key without a lot of time and effort.

Here are some popular "digital locks" we use today:

• RSA - It is like a safe that requires a special number to unlock it. It relies on the fact that it’s incredibly hard to break large numbers down into their smaller parts (called prime numbers). Used in everything from securing websites (when you see HTTPS in your browser) to encrypting emails.

  

  Source - https://www.securew2.com/blog/what-is-rsa-asymmetric-encryption

• Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) - It uses shapes called elliptic curves. Imagine the elliptic curve like a rollercoaster track. The math behind ECC lets you "travel" on this track in very specific ways that only people with the right key can understand. If someone doesn’t have the private key, they can’t figure out how to "ride" the curve correctly to unlock the data. ECC is smaller and faster than RSA, which makes it more efficient for smartphones and modern devices.

  

  Source - https://inevitableeth.com/home/concepts/elliptic-curve-cryptography

  

  Source - https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/elliptical-curve-cryptography

• AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) - It is a block cipher, which means it scrambles data into unrecognizable chunks and can only be unscrambled by someone with the correct key. It’s like taking a letter, cutting it into pieces, and then scrambling the pieces so they don’t make sense. Used for encrypting everything from files on your computer to your Wi-Fi network.

  

  Source - https://www.wallarm.com/what/what-is-aes-advanced-encryption-standard

Quantum algorithms (potential future threat)

Here are some examples of quantum algorithms that could break today's cryptography:

1. Shor’s Algorithm - It can quickly break down large numbers into their prime factors. Remember RSA? It’s based on the difficulty of doing exactly this. With a quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm, the huge, hard-to-break numbers that keep RSA secure could be solved in a flash. If someone had a fully functioning quantum computer, they could use Shor’s algorithm to break RSA and ECC, unlocking much of today’s encrypted data.

2. Grover’s Algorithm - It can search through data much faster than current computers. For example, if you had to guess a password, Grover’s algorithm would reduce the number of guesses needed. While Grover’s algorithm doesn’t break encryption completely, it makes it weaker, meaning today’s encryption systems would need to be strengthened to stay secure.

PQC algorithms

PQC is like building stronger locks that quantum computers can’t easily break. These new locks are being developed now to protect our future information when quantum computers are widely available. They rely on mathematical problems that are hard for both current and quantum computers. Here are some of the leading PQC algorithms:

• Lattice-based Cryptography - Imagine a 3D grid, like a lattice or a fence made of dots. The problem here is trying to find the shortest path between two points on this grid - it’s extremely hard to solve. Quantum computers struggle with this as well.

  

  Source - https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/emerging-tech/post-quantum-cryptography-illustrated-guide

• Code-based Cryptography - This method is based on error-correcting codes, which are used in things like data transmission. The challenge for hackers, even with quantum computers, is to decode the message. It's a bit like receiving a scrambled radio signal and trying to unscramble it without knowing the key.

  

  Source - https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/emerging-tech/post-quantum-cryptography-illustrated-guide

• Hash-based Cryptography - This uses a process called "hashing," which turns data into a fixed-size code. Imagine taking a long piece of text and converting it into a unique fingerprint. Once created, it’s very difficult to reverse-engineer the original data from the fingerprint.

  

  Source - https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/emerging-tech/post-quantum-cryptography-illustrated-guide

The goal of these points is to break down the concepts of PQC and quantum computing into manageable, everyday language while highlighting its relevance to everyone’s future.

❤️ Things I enjoyed

This section has been inspired by Ali Abdaal’s wonderful newsletter.

🎬 Videos - How they actually calculate the Calories and How do Drone Shows Work? are worth watching to understand how these things work.

📝 Articles - 10 sources of plant-based protein for bone health and AI is confusing - here’s your cheat sheet are really good reads.

📱 App - Our local Parkrun friends used the Challenge Hound app to participate in the virtual Run 60 miles in September Challenge by Crohn's & Colitis UK. A friend of ours suffers from Crohn’s disease and she asked us if we could participate with her for this challenge and everyone jumped in. That is when we found this app to track everyone’s efforts together.

📺 TV show - Emily in Paris Season 4 and Kota Factory Season 3 are two amazing series I have been hooked on since Season 1. Where Emily in Paris is very light-hearted, Kota Factory resonates with me differently as I went through that journey myself but never made it to IIT.

🌐 Website - Your Name in Landsat 🛰️is a website where you can type in your name to see it spelt out in Landsat imagery of Earth!

Thank you so much once again for reading my newsletter this week. Please feel free to Buy me a coffee if you are enjoying what I am sharing.

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Until we meet again next week, stay healthy, be kind, eat lots of greens and take care of each other.