Not many know about the Chadar trek that happens in Leh, India during January-February; but people who have heard or experienced it would surely have a lot to share.
It's one of the most beautiful treks in the world that not only tests u on your fitness but also on your body tolerance level. The trek happens in the peak winters when half of the ladhak is shut and deserted and most of the local people shift to other towns to escape the harsh weather conditions. Someone has rightly said that 'God has painted the universe in many colors - but the most beautiful parts are painted in white'.
The trek is a 70km walk on snow, ice, sand and stone. The blanket, called the Chadar, that is created by frozen water on the upper crust of zanskar river, which originates in northern region of J&K and merges into Indus, is the the path on which the trekkers walk. The weather conditions are harsh enough to take a toll on your body. Day temperature ranges between -15 to -25 degrees whereas nights go as down as -40: a temperature good enough to extinguish fire, turn vegetables into stone and give frost bites. Even after wearing 4 layers of top and bottom, a man can shiver to death. There are moments when your feet and hands turn num - at that moment, even if they are put in fire, one won't feel any heat. Brushing and bathing are like alien terms while u on trek.
Hearing all the above, a person might get a feel that 'what's the point in risking so much just for a trek?'. But there is a flip side to it. The beauty, the experience and the adventure is far more satisfying than the harsh conditions. The beauty of the trek lies in the frozen waterfalls, snow leopard paw marks, caves and the cold water that turns into ice within seconds when taken in hand or thrown on someone. When you are on the trek, you feel miserable. But once you are back, you know what you have achieved. A person who has never done ice skating will surely come back as a pro. A person who has never hiked on mountains will experience the most thrilling hiking expeditions during this trek.
One might feel that going and coming is the same path on the trek, so what's exciting while one is on the backward journey? But one fails to evaluate the dynamic changes that happen on an hourly basis at -25 degrees. It's not necessary that places where u found water while going up will still be soft when u are back and the hard Chadar will remain the same throughout. The transformation of ice and water happens every night.
There is one more attraction to this trek apart from the beauty it offers. Luckily, the mobile network operators haven't been able to reach these points and thus the entire area is network free. The phones don't work - the only way to connect with people is through satellite phone which is available in a small village which is at the tip of the trek. This reminds you of time when mobile phone was just a concept. A person can easily cut himself away from the world and live the beauty, silence and experience.
I had the opportunity to live this experience with some wonderful people. Some expert trekkers, some enthusiasts and some nature lovers. I don't think anyone can comprehend the beauty in words that Chadar offers but the little incidents and experiences that you have on the trek are something that can surely be boasted about.
Jhulle!!
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