Personal Trekking Gear and Trekking Tips for the Chadar Trek

A list of things to carry and trekking tips that can be put to good use on the Chadar Trek:

• Trekking Boots

For the Chadar, along with your normal trekking shoes or boots, do carry a pair of gum boots. Gum boots can be purchased from the local market at Leh (availability and price will depend on demand, costing Rs 500-600 onwards). Regular gum boots covering your legs high above the ankles, half-way to the knee can be purchased locally in all major towns and cities as well, for as little as Rs.200-300.
 
Your regular trekking boots can be worn on the Chadar for the trek and you can carry and change into the gum boots at tricky sections where the Chadar is not well formed or the trek involves moving through a section with a higher water level. Alternatively, the gum boots can be worn and trekked in all along, depending on your style of trekking and comfort provided by the gum boots.
 
You may also rent a pair of snow boots from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Delhi at nominal rates (Rs 100 per pair per day and onwards). These snow boots are light-weight, waterproof and provide some insulation for the feet as well, performing the job of both the trekking boots and the gum boots.

• Socks

The trekkers need to take good care of their feet and keep them warm at all times. Carry cotton socks as well thick woolen socks. Wearing two socks, one over the other, provides additional warmth. Always wear your cotton socks on the inside in contact with the feet and the woolen socks over it. Woolen socks can be used to keep the feet warm when you’re off to sleep inside the sleeping bag as well.

• Jacket

A branded down, hollofil or polyfill jacket does the trick to counter the low temperature. A down jacket should ideally have a low temperature rating and high fill power (more than 400) – these are expensive options though. A synthetic, thick insulated jacket with fleece lining on the inside and a water-repellant outer will work well too.
 
Though the temperatures fall lower, remember that the trick lies in dressing up in layers which helps build insulation against cold. Multiple jackets or layers instead of a single down jacket will prove more effective. Thermals as the innermost layer; sweatshirts or fleece clothing as the mid layers and a thick insulating jacket as the outer layer is the best way to keep the cold outside.


Always buy a jacket one size larger than your regular size for high altitude treks, since more often than not, you will be wearing multiple layers under it.

• Thermals or Body Warmers

Buy a good quality, light-weight and thin pair of thermal wear for your upper and lower body. Thermals should fit snugly to effectively retain most of the body heat. These are a must for the Chadar trek. If you are more sensitive to extreme cold than others, two pairs of thermals should be considered.

• Trekking Pants or Lowers

Quick-dry, synthetic trekking pants are ideal for the Chadar trek. Do check for comfort and try them at home a few times before using on the Chadar. Ski-pants or thick trekking trousers are available in most trekking stores which can also be used on the Chadar. Keep in mind that you will be wearing a thermal lower below it most of the times on the Chadar, so again, a larger size pant than normal will prove more comfortable.

• Sweatshirts, Fleece Layers

With thermals worn as the innermost layer, a layer or two of fleece over it provides adequate insulation and further prevents the body-heat from escaping. Light-weight fleece jacket and/or one or two sweatshirts should be carried for the Chadar. Quick-dry and synthetic (polyester) sweatshirts are a good option, but another fleece layer (jacket or sweatshirt) is recommended to provide more warmth.
 
When you start the day’s trek, the body is cold and takes some time to warm up. You can start the day’s trek wearing a thermal, fleece layer/s and your jacket as you find appropriate. As the body warms up and it gets warmer during the day, the extra layers can be done away with and you can trek wearing only a thermal and a fleece layer. When it gets colder towards the evening and the day’s trek is over, or at the campsite during the night, you can again put on more layers of clothing as required.

• Balaclava, Monkey Cap and Neck-warmer

Protecting your neck and face from the cold winds is very important in the cold, dry Leh winters. A balaclava or monkey cap is thus very important. A useful alternate will be a neck-warmer that covers your face and neck and when used with a balaclava or monkey cap covers all the exposed parts on your head, face and neck very effectively.

• Gloves

Carry two pairs of gloves with you for the Chadar. First one should be a thin woolen pair which you can wear in dry conditions and while sleeping. Carry a second waterproof pair of gloves which can be worn when countering slightly wet conditions of rain/snow. The outer synthetic / waterproof glove should again be a size larger than the inner woolen gloves.

• Water Bottle

A good quality, thick plastic or aluminum, BPA free water bottle will suffice for the Chadar trek. The thick plastic bottles become fragile in extreme cold weather and tend to crack if they fall to ground or hit a hard surface. Some trekkers swear that the ‘Minute Maid – Pulpy Orange’ plastic bottles are the best and the water inside does not freeze even when kept outside at night. Try it out yourself J
 
Warm drinking water will be provided on the trek, typically before the start of the day’s trek and at the campsite at night. Water bottles should be kept inside the sleeping bag when going to sleep to ensure the water remains warm and does not freeze by morning. Please ensure the lid of the water bottle is shut tightly and there is no leakage before placing them inside the sleeping bag. Sleeping inside a wet sleeping bag for the rest of the trek is not at a pleasant thought J
 
Avoid the disposable mineral water bottles sold in retail in all general stores. If brought, ensure these are not disposed on the trail and are carried back home with you.

• Hot Water Bottle

Please carry one of these for the Chadar trek. A hot water bottle provides additional warmth when placed inside the sleeping bag at night. These should easily available at medical stores.

• Goggles, sun glasses,

The glare off the icy Chadar and surrounding snow is very strong and can cause snow-blindness. Branded sunglasses with 100% UV protection are hence a must for all trekkers. Wrap-around, sports sunglasses cover the eyes well and are preferred over the open versions. Dark tints – black, brown or green are more effective in keeping the strong glare and harmful sunrays out.

• Trekking Pole

Handy gear for any trek, the trekking pole becomes more important while walking on the icy Chadar. It helps you gain stability; walk in slippery conditions and in judging the strength of the Chadar before stepping on it.
 
Trekking poles are not provided on the trek and should be bought and carried by the trekkers themselves. They are easily available online and in most trekking stores, these cost typically between Rs. 400 to Rs. 750.

• Poncho and plastic covers

Carry a poncho, a backpack cover and few extra plastic bags or plastic covers for the Chadar trek. In case of snow or rain, a poncho and backpack cover comes in very handy and helps keep you and your personal belongings dry. Polythene bags can be used as a protective cover for your backpack, trekking boots, etc. and also to carry wet/used clothing.
 
Do not carry thin polythene bags (less than 40 microns) and ensure all plastic bags you bring are not disposed on the trail and are carried back home with you.

• Head-torch or headlamp

A headlamp is very useful while moving around the campsite at night and especially when answering nature’s call J More so on the Chadar, when you do not want to carry a torch in your hand and expose your hands to the cold outside. Extra pair of batteries is necessary to compensate for the quick draining of batteries in cold weather.

• DSLR and other cameras

You can surely carry DSLRs on the trek. Please check the temperature rating of the camera in the manual and ensure it can operate in sub-zero and much lower temperatures. Two main issues affecting DSLRs on the Chadar are condensation and battery life. When moving from low temperature (cold air outside) to high temperature (warmth of your tent), put the camera and lens into a plastic bag and seal it well.
 
Also recommended to carry your camera and lens in a well-sealed plastic bag at all times when not in use, to minimize exposure to extreme cold. Recommended to carry extra battery pack as well and keep the battery well insulated from the low temperatures when the camera is not in use. Batteries are to be kept warm and inside the sleeping bag at night to extend battery life.

• Sunscreen, lip balm

Important to protect yourself from the effects of extreme cold weather in and around Leh. Sunscreen having SPF 30 or higher is recommended. Use generously J

1. First Aid

Personal medication should be carried by all trekkers (specific prescribed medicines only, the trek leader will be carrying a well-equipped first aid kit). Paracetamol and Combiflam tablets, a strip of band-aids, an ORS packet, knee caps (most frequently used item!) and Moov or Volini cream are sufficient as part of personal first aid kit.
 
Important, Please Note

• Avoid bringing brand new, unused gear – especially rucksack and trekking shoes / boots for the trek. You should ideally use your trekking gear, most importantly rucksack and trekking shoes / boots for short hikes or treks so as to be comfortable with using the same on the high altitude trek.
• Multi-utility gear such as convertible track pants, waterproof & windproof jacket helps reduce gear to be carried.
• All gear should also be light-weight and less bulky, without compromising on the protection it is to offer.
• Carry plastic bags to compartmentalize your belongings in your rucksack but make sure you do not leave anything behind on the trail. Remember we are guests on the mountains and do not own the trail. It is our responsibility to leave the trail in a better condition than we see it in. Carry cloth / jute bags instead of plastic where possible.