Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Final Day

Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Final Day

Difficulty: Normal
Optional Features: Permadeath enabled (naturally)

“They say the sea is unpredictable. Turns out the real danger was bacon on legs.”

Weather / Loot / Mood

  • Weather: Pre-dawn calm, rising chop mid-crossing, sun blazing by mid-morning
  • Loot: One rock (upgraded into a knife), empty shipping container, one near-death experience
  • Mood: Optimistic โ†’ seasick โ†’ suspicious โ†’ hogged off the mortal coil

Goodbye, Starter Island

I woke before sunrise, sipped the last drips from my water still, and realised food was once again my biggest problem. My emergency coconut stash stared back at me like an unsolvable puzzle โ€” great for hydration, but without a knife, they were just spherical disappointments. The conclusion was obvious: this island had given me all it could, and it was time for me to move on.

Two new islands called from the horizon, their silhouettes promising fresh loot and maybe, just maybe, an edible dinner. I picked one, whispered a fond but brief farewell to my starting island, and began the process of leaving. This was a mistake โ€” not the leaving, but underestimating how much my raft had bonded with the beach.

Raft Wrestling & Ocean Gymnastics

Step one was prising the raft off the sand. The thing behaved like it had signed a long-term tenancy agreement and was not about to leave voluntarily. Once I freed it, I faced my next foe: the paddle, which seemed determined to stay attached like a stubborn remora. Then came the ocean itself.

Within minutes, my crossing turned into an impromptu extreme sport. I capsized more times than I care to admit, each time righting the raft while muttering things not suitable for a survival diary. The swell toyed with me, and every few waves I was convinced Iโ€™d see a shark fin break the surface. But eventually, the new island came into focus โ€” and with it, signs of potential treasure. A red shipping container sat on the shore, while offshore, a wooden pole jutted out of the water. Wreckage? Supplies? Or just an elaborate distraction?

New Shore, New Knife, No Loot

Landfall came with an overwhelming sense of relief. First priority: tools. I grabbed a rock, worked it into a knife, and set out to investigate the shipping container. The excitement lasted right up until I swung the door open to revealโ€ฆ absolutely nothing. No food, no tools, not even decorative debris. My mood sank faster than my raft had earlier that morning.

Still, the island was bigger than it first appeared, with palm trees casting long shadows across the sand. Somewhere out here, there had to be food. Or at least something less likely to stab me in the stomach than my own hunger.

The Hog Strikes Back (โ€ฆTwice, Actually Thrice)

Thatโ€™s when I saw it: a hog. Large, broad-shouldered, and wearing the kind of expression that suggested it already hated me. Before I could take a step back, it charged โ€” no hesitation, no negotiation, just a blur of tusks and fury.

Desperation kicked in. I fought back with my newly crafted knife, scoring a few hits before it bolted into the undergrowth. Victory? Not quite. As I turned to check my surroundings, I spotted a snake winding its way across the sand. Excellent โ€” protein! I lunged, only for the hog to return for round two. We clashed again, my health dropping with each collision.

By the time round three began, I was already bleeding and winded. Iโ€™d love to say I managed a heroic counter, but the truth is the hog bowled me over like I was nothing more than driftwood in its path. The world went dark, the game flashed its verdict, and my save was gone. Just like that.

Epilogue: Lessons from the Hog

So ends my Stranded Deep run โ€” three days according to the game, four by my own count. I learned a lot: coconuts are useless without a knife, rafts are stubborn, and hogs are natureโ€™s way of telling you to keep your distance. It was a short ride, but fun. Next time, maybe Iโ€™ll survive long enough to cook that bacon instead of becoming it.

Continue the Journey

Day 1 |
Day 3 |
Final Day (You Are Here)

Survivorโ€™s Dread Hub + Rules of Survival Updates

Hub & Rules Updates โ€“ Survivorโ€™s Dread and Beyond

Two big refreshes: the Survivorโ€™s Dread hub gets a makeover with clickable images and new content, and the Rules of Survival page is sharper, broader, and now includes Day One Diaries.

Survivorโ€™s Dread Hub Refresh

The horror corner of Survivor Incognito has had a makeover. The Survivorโ€™s Dread Hub is now cleaner, more visual, and easier to explore:

  • Clickable images: Each series hub can be entered directly by tapping/clicking the banner images.
  • Subnautica added: While not strictly survival horror, leviathans in the dark absolutely qualify as โ€œhorror-adjacent.โ€
  • Cleaner sections: Each series now has its own block with a blurb so you can jump straight in.
  • Coming soon: Future plans include Resident Evil, Metro Redux, and more Switch-friendly nightmares.

Check out the updated Survivorโ€™s Dread hub โ†’

Rules of Survival Page Updated

The Rules of Survival (According to Me) page also got a major refresh. It now serves as the central rulebook across all my permadeath runs and diaries, and includes:

  • Day One Diaries rules: One day, one shot. Added with a link to the Day One Diaries Hub.
  • Expanded series add-ons: Grounded, Stranded Deep, Subnautica, Alien: Isolation, Dredge, Skyrim, The Long Dark, and SnowRunner all have their own entries.
  • Streamlined global rules: Now strictly focused on in-game survival, with practical, Switch-friendly allowances.

If youโ€™ve ever wondered what invisible rulebook guides my permadeath chaos, this is the place to look.

See the updated Rules of Survival page โ†’

Why This Matters

These refreshes make the site easier to navigate, clearer for new readers, and a stronger foundation for the survival chaos to come. Whether youโ€™re following the horror diaries or the more traditional survival runs, youโ€™ll know exactly what rules Iโ€™m following, whatโ€™s changing, and where to dive in.


Snowrunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries โ€“ Driver Log Five

Frank puts in a full shift as Road Block and Wet Harvest get cleared in Black River. Red gets a look at the map, and we hit Rank 4.

๐Ÿ“œ Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

๐Ÿ›  Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

๐Ÿ’ก Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Four? Find it here.


A Day in the Life of Frank

We begin the day staring down a literal Road Block. It wants two service parts from the warehouse. No problem. This is Frank’s moment. The Fleestar rolls out, collects the goods, and delivers them without so much as a grumble. Road cleared. Mission done. Easy.

With the path open, Red (our sprightly little Scout 800) heads out and uncovers another Watchtower. A little more map, a little more potential chaos.


Wet Harvest, Maximum Effort

With more of the map visible, I queue up Wet Harvest. Itโ€™s a multi-stage farm delivery runโ€”only one truck is suited to the task. You guessed it: Frank is back in action.

First stop, the warehouse. We grab some bricks and discover they also stock metal beamsโ€”very handy intel for future tasks. Bricks get dropped off at the farm without incident.

Frank heads home for a well-earned breather, some repairs, and a small upgrade: a raised exhaust pipe. Itโ€™s not glamorous, but it keeps the engine breathing when the terrain gets swampy.


Wood, Metal, and a Promotion

Next, weโ€™re off to the lumber mill for wood. Frank makes the pickup and hauls it straight back to the farm. No drama. Just dependable grunt work.

Finally, we collect metal beams from the warehouse. One last delivery and the Wet Harvest task is officially in the rear-view mirror.

And with that, we hit Rank 4. Not bad for a dayโ€™s work. Frankโ€™s still in one piece, Redโ€™s scouting strong, and the map keeps growing.


๐ŸŽฏ Task Summary:

โœ… Road Block โ€“ 2x Service Parts delivered

โœ… Wet Harvest โ€“ Bricks, Wood, and Metal Beams delivered to the farm

๐Ÿ“New Watchtower discovered


๐Ÿ›  Fleet Update:

Frank (Fleestar 2070A) โ€“ Now with a raised exhaust. Still the MVP.

Red (Scout 800) โ€“ Cleared the fog and didnโ€™t flip once. Proud of them.


๐Ÿ†™ Rank Up!

Weโ€™ve hit Rank 4. A few more levels and we can start unlocking better upgrades, which will come in handy when the terrain stops playing nice.


Want more SnowRunner? Day 6 link coming soon.

Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 6: Blizzard Send-Off, Ptarmigan Detour, and the Great Cooking Pot Tragedy

Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 6: Blizzard Send-Off, Ptarmigan Detour, and the Great Cooking Pot Tragedy

Weather: Blizzard โ†’ calm โ†’ chilly dusk
Loot Highlights: Maple syrup, ptarmigan, teas
Mood: Mildly triumphant, then deeply betrayed by my own memory

โ—€ Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 5: Moose Standoff, Bullet Disappointment, and Frostbite Gordon Ramsay  | 
What is Customloper?

Mountain Town Farewell Tour

The plan was simple: head for Mystery Lake. Naturally, The Long Dark decided my departure needed to be as unpleasant as possible. I stepped outside, full of optimism and travel plansโ€ฆ straight into a wall of snow. The blizzard hit so hard I half-expected the wind to demand my boarding pass.

Not keen on becoming a frozen cautionary tale before I even left Milton, I retreated back inside. While the storm roared outside, I repaired my climbing socks โ€” because if Iโ€™m going to dangle from a rope over a death drop, my feet should at least be comfortable.

When the snowstorm finally lost interest in my destruction, I made a quick supply drop at my blizzard cache in Milton Park: food, flares, and a little hope for future me. If my track record says anything, future me will absolutely need them.

En route, I spotted a couple of ptarmigans. One made a clean getaway, but the second wasnโ€™t so lucky โ€” a quick stun and scoop secured dinner. My frame rate then staged its own protest against survival, solved with the ancient ritual of a one-hour nap and a full restart.

A Quick Rope-Climbing PSA

For anyone following along at home:
1. Over your carry weight? Youโ€™re not climbing.
2. Too tired? You wonโ€™t make it far before the rope wins.
3. Both? Prepare for a long fall and a high hospital bill (if hospitals still existed).

The climb up was almost suspiciously smooth. No wolves lurking at the bottom, no moose guarding the top. Just crisp air, creaking rope, and the growing certainty that something unpleasant was saving itself for later.

At the top, my guy was winded but not dying โ€” a personal best. It was a short slog to the transition cave, where I took one last look at Mountain Town and stepped into the dark unknown.

Cave Navigation Pro Tip

Pick a wall โ€” left or right โ€” and stick to it the entire way. Youโ€™ll either find the exit or discover youโ€™ve been walking in circles for hours. Either way, youโ€™ll feel like a pro.

The cave was mercifully straightforward. I found a pre-built campfire setup and used it as an excuse for a much-needed coffee break. The simple act of brewing coffee pushed my Cooking skill to Level 2: Novice โ€” still a long way from โ€œChef,โ€ but Iโ€™ll take it.

With caffeine restored, I pressed on until daylight spilled through the cave mouth. Welcome to Mystery Lake.

Mystery Lake: The Training Wheels Region (With Wolves)

The Hunt for a Rifleโ€ฆ and a Cooking Pot

The sun was already sliding toward the horizon, so I aimed straight for Trapperโ€™s Cabin. First thing I checked: the rifle rack. Empty. The loot gods remain cruel.

The safe offered a small consolation prize in the form of maple syrup โ€” proof that at least one deity in this frozen world still cares about my morale.

Finally, I harvested the ptarmiganโ€ฆ and immediately remembered that every single one of my cooking pots was still back in Milton. All of them. My dreams of a hearty stew crumbled faster than my willpower in a wolf chase.

Instead, I brewed a round of reishi and rose hip teas, boiled water, and contemplated the life choices that had brought me to โ€œhot leaf juiceโ€ as my primary meal. The only upside? I now have a reason to return to Milton, assuming I survive long enough.

Day 6 Summary

  • Location: Mountain Town โ†’ Mystery Lake
  • Finds: Maple syrup, ptarmigan
  • Wildlife Watch: Ptarmigan spotted and secured
  • Conditions: Blizzard start, calm finish
  • Status: Alive, caffeinated, cookware-less

Continue the Journey

โ—€ Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 5: Moose Standoff, Bullet Disappointment, and Frostbite Gordon Ramsay
Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 7 โ–ถ

The Great Blog Refresh โ€“ Survivor Incognito Gets a Full Update

Site Update: The Big Refresh

Itโ€™s cleanup time at Survivor Incognito. Every single post and page is getting updatedโ€”tightened navigation, consistent formatting, proper โ€œprevious/nextโ€ links, and some extra polish where needed.

The good news? SnowRunner, Subnautica, The Cold Chronicles, Day One Diaries, and Stranded Deep are already fully refreshed. Those series now have smooth navigation, consistent style, and zero dead-end links.

The rest are next in line. If you stumble into a post mid-update and the links feel a bitโ€ฆ chaotic, just know itโ€™s all part of the process. Order will be restored soon.


Why this matters:

  • Better flow for binge-reading entire series.
  • Consistent formatting across the site.
  • Quick access to hub pages and related guides.

So if something suddenly looks cleaner or has a shiny new link, thatโ€™s me in the background, doing the digital equivalent of tidying camp before nightfall.

New Page Alert โ€“ Subnautica Survival Guide Now Live!

Attention survivors โ€“ your underwater playbook has arrived!

The brand-new Subnautica Survival Guide is now live on Survivor Incognito, packed with everything you need to go from panicked paddler to confident deep-sea explorer. Whether itโ€™s your first day swimming out of the lifepod or youโ€™re gearing up for an Aurora run, this guide covers it all โ€“ from must-have early tools to predator evasion tips and base-building advice.

Weโ€™ve even included:

  • A quick-reference predator list (because sometimes you just need to know if the big shadow is going to eat you).
  • Switch control table so you can stop pressing the wrong button when panic sets in.
  • A linked map hub for finding resources without wandering into Leviathan territory by โ€œaccident.โ€
  • A quick start card for Days 1โ€“3 priorities.

If youโ€™re starting fresh in Subnautica โ€“ or just want to survive without becoming lunch โ€“ this page is your new best friend.

๐ŸŒŠ Read the full Subnautica Survival Guide here

Snowrunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries โ€“ Driver Log Four

Day 4 of SnowRunner’s permadeath run brings a new fleet member, another watchtower, and some serious heavy lifting as Frank dominates mountain terrain and takes on multiple tasks.

๐Ÿ“œ Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

๐Ÿ›  Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

๐Ÿ’ก Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Three? Find it here.


๐Ÿ”ง Day Four: Meet Red. Trust Frank.

I start the day by hopping into Scout. Thereโ€™s a vehicle icon on the map and, well, you know Iโ€™m not ignoring that. Turns out itโ€™s the Scout 800โ€”a compact little powerhouse with AWD pre-installed and Diff Lock always on. Sure, the fuel tank’s smaller, but it’s got heart.

Naturally, I drive it back to the garage and give it a proper makeover. New tyres, fresh coat of paintโ€ฆ and a name: Red.

Taken before Red’s fresh coat of paint

Red gets a test run with a little exploring and even discovers a watchtower near the Mountain Bridge task. The bridge needs metal beams and concrete blocks, which means it’s time to call in the only truck I trust for a job like this: Frank.

Frank, ladies and gentlemen, is built different. He doesnโ€™t need fancy tyres (though heโ€™ll get them one day). Mud? Optional. Gravity? Merely a suggestion.


First, he hauls the metal beams to the bridgeโ€”zero issues. Then he climbs the mountain to Redโ€™s position four times. Twice empty, twice with concrete blocks. Two blocks go to the Mountain Bridge (task complete), and the other two finish off the Fallen Powerline.

After finishing the bridge, I roll down the newly opened road a little farther and discover the Road Block task. I accept it immediatelyโ€”because of course I do. Frankโ€™s momentum waits for no one.

The Cold Chronicles Day Ten: A Voyageur’s Tale of The Long Dark


The Cold Chronicles โ€“ Day 10: Ravine Roulette, Floating Deer, and Finally Mystery Lake

Day 10 in The Long Dark sees me teetering over the Ravineโ€™s abyss, harvesting meat from a deer thatโ€™s apparently learned levitation, and finallyโ€”finallyโ€”reaching Mystery Lake. Bonus: new socks, because morale matters.

Missed the previous day? The Cold Chronicles Day Nine


Leaving the Trailer, Chasing the Horizon

I stepped out of the trailer at the Train Unloading area, the morning air biting in that way The Long Dark seems to enjoy. The plan was simple: follow the train tracks east until the Ravine transition zone, then cross into Mystery Lake. Simple plans in this game never stay simple.

The tracks carried me into the Ravineโ€”beautiful in the kind of way that makes you briefly forget itโ€™s also a death trap. Narrow ledges, collapsed rails, and drops you donโ€™t get back up from. One balancing section across a busted bit of track nearly gave me a heart attack, but I made it across without testing the fall damage mechanics. Small victories.


The Floating Deer Incident

Birds circling in the distance caught my attentionโ€”never ignore free protein. I hiked over, expecting a standard carcass. Instead, I found a deer hovering several inches above the snow like it had unlocked some kind of ungulate wizardry.

I harvested the meat quickly, mostly to avoid breaking whatever fragile laws of nature were keeping it afloat. Then, in my post-butcher haze, I realized the deer had been โ€œpointingโ€ toward the right path all along. Thanks, floating friend.


Birch Bark and Bullet Rewards

Further along, a lone backpack waited at the edge of another narrow crossing. Inside: one revolver cartridge. Not much, but when you live in a world where bullets are basically gold, you donโ€™t complain.

I also found an absurd amount of birch barkโ€”seven pieces in total. If this run ends, it will not be because I ran out of tea. Deer hunting? Optional. Birch bark tea? Mandatory.


Mystery Lake at Last

The Ravine eventually spat me out onto the familiar terrain of Mystery Lake. Relief hit harder than the wind. I spotted a trailer and decided it would be my base for the night. Outside, I lit a fire, cooking up the deer meat and a rabbit Iโ€™d nabbed earlier. The smell alone was enough to make me feel like I was thriving rather than just surviving.

Inside, I scored a pair of climbing socksโ€”a glorious upgrade from my starting sports socks. Harvested some spare clothes for cloth, then realized Iโ€™d left a rabbit steak outside. Thatโ€™s tomorrowโ€™s wolf bait or breakfast, depending on how fast I am in the morning.

I dropped my deer and rabbit hides, along with the guts, to start curing. Mystery Lake had officially welcomed meโ€”with warmth, food, and better footwear.


Continue the journey: Day 9 | Day 11 โ€“ Coming Soon


More from The Long Dark:

Here’s What You Missed This Week on Survivor Incognito โ€“ Crashes, Farewells, and Frozen Toes

Another week of survival stories has wrapped up over at Survivor Incognito, and hereโ€™s what went live:

  • ๐ŸŒด Tuesday: Sunburnt & Sinking โ€“ Stranded Deep: Day One. A plane crash, some aggressive crabs, and the beginning of another deeply questionable survival journey.
  • โ„๏ธ Wednesday: Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day Five. Moose encounters, torchlit panic, and the continuing battle to not freeze to death in The Long Dark.
  • ๐ŸฆŽ Thursday: Goodnight, Sweet Lizard โ€“ A heartfelt (and mildly roasted) farewell to my first Skyrim survivor. Gone, but not forgotten. Or fully thawed.
  • ๐Ÿšš Friday: SnowRunner Survival โ€“ Day Three. I made it to the top of a mountain. That was the easy part. Getting down? Thatโ€™s Future Meโ€™s problem.
  • ๐Ÿ›ค๏ธ Saturday: Day One Diary โ€“ Choo Choo Charles. A train with spider legs, eggs with suspicious importance, and absolutely no time to process anything.

๐Ÿงญ We also updated the Start Here page with better guidance for new readers and easier access to key blog content.

Itโ€™s been a week of rough starts, fond farewells, and terrain I was never meant to cross โ€” just how we like it.

Next week: the official start of the Subnautica permadeath run, a bit more trucking, and probably something trying to kill me with a leaf. Stay tuned.

Customloper Diaries Day Five: Moose-terious Happenings

Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 5: Moose Standoff, Bullet Disappointment, and Frostbite Gordon Ramsay

Weather: Overcast โ†’ blizzard remnants โ†’ cold, tense calm
Loot Highlights: 32 revolver bullets (without the revolver), coffee, stew ingredients
Mood: Caffeine-fueled paranoia

โ—€ Missed Day 4? Read it here  | 
What is Customloper?

Moose-terious Happenings and Bullet Mockery

I wake up cold, hypothermic, and shivering in a shelter that feels like itโ€™s holding back winter by sheer stubbornness. Outside, the air is still heavy with yesterdayโ€™s storm. I light a torchโ€”not for light, but for moraleโ€”and step outside to grab sticks for a fire.

Thatโ€™s when I hear it. A low, deliberate snort. Snow crunching under something big. My brain takes about two seconds to put it together: the Moose is still here. Still patrolling. Still grumpy. All Iโ€™ve got is a flare gun, three flares, and zero confidence this will be anything but moose-poking practice.

Later research confirmed flare guns actually can scare or even injure moose. At the time, though, I pictured wasting all three shots and ending up as hoof-print art in the snow.

Sidebar: Flare Guns vs Wildlife

  • Wolves: Scared of everything, including your hesitation. Flare gun = instant retreat.
  • Bears: Works if youโ€™re quick and accurate. Miss, and youโ€™ve just upgraded it to โ€œangry bear.โ€
  • Moose: Vulnerable, but charging moose leave little margin for error. Pray your aim is better than your panic management.

Fire, Coffee, and False Confidence

I retreat inside, break down a couple of stools, and get a fire going. Coffee brews while my temperature climbs from โ€œfreezer aisleโ€ to โ€œslightly uncomfortable.โ€ Caffeine courage in place, I decide to make another break for it.

I crack the door. Two cautious steps outsideโ€”then I hear it again. This time I actually see the moose, casually stomping away from me like it owns the place. Which, frankly, it does.

I seize the chance to sneak toward the picnic area, hoping Iโ€™ll finally find a revolver or rifle. Spoiler: no. Just more snow, more silence, and the nagging sense Iโ€™m on borrowed time.

Panic Sprint to Orca

Plan B forms in my head: head to Orca Gas Station and regroup. The snow crunches under my boots, the wind whistles between the treesโ€”and then I hear a noise behind me. Could be the wind. Could be antlers. I donโ€™t check. I just run. Full panic sprint, torch flaring wildly, straight to Orcaโ€™s door.

Inside, adrenaline still in overdrive, I make a silent vow: if I live through this, Iโ€™ll cook everything I can get my hands on. Meals will be my legacy.

Bullets Without a Gun

The walk back to Grey Motherโ€™s is uneventful, which feels like winning the lottery. I throw myself into cooking: rabbit stew, venison stew, boiling waterโ€”anything to nudge my Cooking skill higher. Somewhere in the process, I drop off 32 revolver bullets into storage. The universe clearly thinks this is funny.

Three separate attempts to repair my climbing socks all fail. Morale drops. I sweep Grey Motherโ€™s house again just in case a revolver is hiding in the corner. Itโ€™s not.

I end the day reading a book to boost my harvesting skill, the flickering lantern light casting long shadows. Outside, the moose is probably still wandering. Inside, Iโ€™m still stubborn, still alive, still armed with only a flare gun and misplaced optimism.

Day 5 Summary

  • Location: Milton Region
  • Finds: 32 revolver bullets, coffee, stew ingredients
  • Wildlife Watch: Persistent moose
  • Conditions: Cold and tense
  • Status: Warm, fed, moose-adjacent

Continue the Journey

โ—€ Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 4: Prybars, Pancake Plans, and the Blizzard Lock-In
Customloper Diaries โ€“ Day 6 โ–ถ

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