Challenges in Chadar Frozen River Trek

by Mahendra Kumar Himalayan Adventure Trip

Have you ever dreamt of wandering on a frozen river? That is what Chadar Frozen River Trek is, trekking on the mountain where you usually cannot find human beings, but you can find one thing that is the true meaning of life in a very surreal destination. It is one of the most exciting experiences for a travel bug.

Chadar Frozen River Trek in the lap of Ladakh is one of the most favorite winter treks in India. The word 'Chadar' means a 'blanket' well suits its name. It is a sheet of white gem ice of the frozen river. The twilight trek route takes you through the villages in the Zanskar valley deep in the mountains connecting to the chilled Zanskar stream. Encapsulated at differing intervals from the beautiful mountain range, with peaks surrounding 7000 m, the virtue of Zankar is isolated for hundreds of years.

Why should one visit Chadar Frozen River Trek?

If there is a utopia, it's in Chadar. It is a unique lifetime adventure of walking on a frozen river under the crystal clear sky encompassed by high ranges on all sides. Ice slides, waterfalls, and caverns along the running greenish-blue river are just worth a mystic experience.

There can be a limit to your imagination, but this frozen river trek in India cannot stop giving you a new experience with every step. This beautiful trek is for the people who need a thrill and an adrenaline rush in their blood and want to endure some near-death experience. This enchanting path of Chadar trek is only available in January and February, as the river is frozen, and the risk of its melting is lowest.

The enormousness of the cliffs makes you feel so little and humbled and the pure stamina of the landscape makes all your plans go for a toss. The trek offers you majestic views that can leave you feeling nothing short of baffled and confused.

Challenges involved in Chadar Trek

Challenge #1: Extreme Temperature

It is no mystery that colds on Chadar Frozen river Trek range from -15°C and -30°C. If that temperature can freeze the Zanskar river, think what this -30 degrees can do to you, and trekking to the elevations at this temperature is not a joke.

What to do: Not to worry, there is a solution to it. Our human body can regulate high warmth as we are warm-blooded. Only A few warm layers will help to fight the bone-chilling freeze.

Challenge #2: Acute Mountain Sickness

Chadar Trek remains at the elevation of 11,200 ft, where problems like AMS is very common. Thus, it is recommended that trekkers should carry all the medications with them in case of nausea, headaches, or breathlessness as there is a low oxygen level in mountains.

What to do: Before you start your trek, take one day acclimatizing in Leh. Stay Hydrated. Carry energy bars. In case you feel anxious, inform your team right away.

Challenge #3: Long walking stretch

Chadar is not just a frozen river trek in India, it has astounding views for around 15km and that too hiking on the frozen bed of the river. Quite an amazing imagination, right? But, trekking at such elevation for continuous few days is not everyone's cup of tea.

What to do: If you wish to have an experience that is worth commemorating then, get ready to focus on your walking. Take some part of your cherished time for walking and breathing exercises, then only think of going trekking in Chadar.

Conclusion:

If you want an exciting time through a refreshing terrain with a lot of challenges and survival instincts, then Chadar Trek is what you do. So, what are you waiting for? Embrace your living with the most stunning views.