We cannot emphasize it enough, but the Chadar trek is one of the most beautiful trekking experiences that any trekker can ever have. And since no good thing comes easy, the same holds for this trek. In our earlier blogs, we talked about the fitness regime, the things to take care of, and much more. In this one, we will touch on subjective preparation. In all honesty, we know that the topic itself would have set the expectations about what this blog will contain but being the writer that the author is, we had to create some drama!
When it is about building your physical strength, it is relatively simple and straightforward. You know, the muscle group to work on, the diet that needs to be taken is clear; everything is clearly defined in this blog. However, how does one prepare themselves mentally for the Chadar trek? Well, that is where the challenge comes in. You see, our mind doesn’t always think straight. More often than not, it tends to think of everything but the obvious. Some people call it overthinking but believe us, that’s just the brain thinking of the multiple possibilities.
Now, there is always this fear of the unknown when it comes to trekking. The what-ifs are just too many; without adequate information, the permutations and combinations can be simply infinite. Hence, we thought we’d break down the challenges for you and also tell you how to handle them- the worst-case scenario considered!
So, without further ado, let us have a look!
Understanding the Challenges and How to Brave them!
Let us first look at how to ward off your unnecessary “overthought” fears.
The Temperature and How to handle it!
The temperature in the region can go as low as -30 degrees. However, the good thing is that you will be adequately prepared for that kind of chill. Also, you have to be in direct exposure, i.e., your skin should be bare to the cold for you to freeze. Then, this entire thing about the wind factor further adds to someone freezing. Again, even for the wind factor to cause you to freeze, you’ll have to be in direct exposure to the wind. So, you can overthink as much as you want, but that layer of clothing on you- the sweaters, the inners, the thermals, the jackets- all of them will keep you warm. Hence, to ensure that you trek safely, no matter how low the temperature hits, all you need to do is stick to the clothing list we shared!
Read: Things to carry for chadar trek
The Walks are Long
Now see, we have repeatedly mentioned that you must follow a fitness regime before taking this trek. Believe us when we say this, if you stick to the regime mentioned in our dedicated blog, you’ll be fit enough to take it up easily. Now let us talk about what could go wrong (As per your overthought fears again). Let us tell you one thing- if you are careful, the chances of casualties are very less. The local bodies and the government have also ensured enough measures to avoid any untoward incident. Hence, you can be sure that if you are well prepared, and you obey your trek leader, you can safely complete the trek.
AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness
Like any other high-altitude trek, AMS can happen at Chadar Trek too. However, just like any other trek, it can be sorted here as well with adequate care and preparation. You must monitor your diet, keep your first aid kit ready, and NOT over-exert yourself. We at TrekNomads ensure that we have all the necessary medication for emergencies. Arrangements are also in place to fly people to the nearest hospitals in case something extreme happens. Let us tell you a small story (and it is not for Chadar Trek). One of our senior trek leaders, was caught in a snowstorm while on the Manaslu trek. He survived because he was prepared. It was an extremely rough incident, but he came out strong. When it comes to our trekkers, we at TrekNomads are extremely cautious and hence ensure that all the worst is thought of and prepared for. So, you are in safe hands with TrekNomads- nothing will happen to you.
Channeling Your Thoughts
If you are a Hindi movie buff, please watch the recent release Unchai starring Amitabh Bachhan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, and Danny Denzongpa. The trek taken in the movie is EBC- another challenging trek but the ones going on it are literally 70+ year-olds. That should help you feel good about yourself. Now, we understand that that is fiction, so here are a couple of documentaries you can watch to fall in love with trekking. We did quite a lot of research, but sadly, most movies/documentaries are based on US-based hiking/trekking stories or have Mt Everest as the central theme. Considering the latter to be closer to the Chadar trek, here is the list of movies to watch:
- The Summit
- 14 Peaks
- The Man who skied down Everest
- The Conquest of the Everest
- Everest
- Vertical Limit
- The Climb
- The summit of the Gods
Answering your What Ifs
We know how wild the imagination can run, and we know yours must be running really wild now. So, to avoid any apprehensions later, make a list of your questions and ask them out to the TrekNomads team. You’ll be happy with the answers.
Yoga and Stuff!
We mulled over this quite a lot- should we tell you about meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and all that? But, at those altitudes, deep breathing isn’t an easy thing to do, and it doesn’t come to your mind either.
Practising yoga, meditation and deep breathing consistently for a few months before the trek can help you in ways you cannot imagine. Follow the Wim Hof method (Inhale deeply through the nose or mouth, and exhale unforced through the mouth. Fully inhale through the belly, then chest and then let go unforced. Repeat this 30 to 40 times in short, powerful bursts.) Also, while you are on the trek, stretching and yoga is a good exercise before starting the day’s hike.
It also helps muscles to work most effectively
The best way to be mentally prepared for the Chadar trek is to be thoroughly equipped for it, have all your questions answered, and trust your Trekking partner.
With these things in place, you’ll have nothing to worry about BUT there will be a lot to see and feel happy for!
See you at the Chadar Trek then!!
Read all our blogs related to chadar trek:
The Common FAQs about Chadar Trek Answered
Chadar: 10 Reasons why Chadar Frozen River Trek is the greatest adventure of all time