Gear For India winter treks

The crux of knowing what take is knowing what to expect. Please discuss with us anything you are not sure about. 

Dress standards

Cultural sensitivity is the hallmark of considerate travelers. Dress standards vary considerably around India - eye-popping halter tops and loincloth-clad saddhus to the Victorian ankle standard, but foreigners are judged differently. For trekking tidy with covered shoulders and long pants or a long skirt earns the most respect, skimpy tops and tight leggings invite unwarranted attention.

In Delhi

In January and February in Delhi the days are pleasantly warm and sunny; long pants and a sweatshirt, and at noon, a t-shirt, are sufficient. In the evenings it is cool enough not to use AC in the hotels rooms, and you will need a sweater or light jacket when you go out to dinner.

In Leh

The temperature in the daytime hovers around zero, depending on how clear the sky is. Down jackets are ESSENTIAL not just for the trek but around town, along with gloves and hat. Visiting the monasteries it is necessary to take your shoes off...thick socks are also vital!

While trekking

On our Chadar treks we have seen the whole range of Ladakh winter conditions. You must plan for getting wet feet, and dealing with that in sub zero conditions. Normally we found that we would start the day in down jacket, wind or soft shell pants, fleece hat and heavier gloves. By mid morning, both through exercise and sun, we would be in shell jacket with light layers under it, and sun hat. At the campsite we would quickly change into the down jacket, insulated pants and down booties.

Who carries what

You carry a day pack with your camera, jacket, down jacket, water and snacks. The porters carry everything else. We provide a large basic duffel bag, although you are welcome to bring your own. Note the 15kg/33lb weight limit for the trek.

The Chadar trek - what you are planning for

Basically you should plan with 5 specific climates/functions in mind:

+ a few days in the warm weather in Delhi

+ cool weather around Leh

+ walking on ice and snow in sub zero temperatures

+ difficult conditions on tricky ice, breaking through to the water beneath

+ rock scrambling on scree and steep ground

+ evenings that can go down to -25ºC (warmer in your tent!)

Obviously, much of your gear will fulfill multiple roles.

Chadar gear discussion

Sleeping bag

A down-filled 4-5 season bag with a DryLoft or similar outer is better. The nights will be down to -15/20ºC in your tent, so your bag must be comfortable down to minus 25ºC.

Sleeping bag liner

Cotton, silk or fleece. Saves washing your sleeping bag and adds warmth.

Inflatable sleeping pad

Thermarest or similar. We provide a sponge foam mattress and if necessary, a closed cell pad, but if you have your own Thermarest, bring it. 

Large daypack

This should be comfortable and a good waist band that transfers some of the weight to the hips is most important. It needs to be big enough to take a jacket, down jacket, fleece, water, camera and odds and ends.

Boots

Trekkers complete the Chadar every year in 3 season trekking boots but to be really comfortable you need some sort of insulated boot like Sorels, or the Baltoro or Chilkat by the North Face. These are special winter boots,  comfy to walk in, with a 'sticky' rubber sole for grip. Over this some sort of gaiter is essential, and one that covers the boot right down to the rubber rand, even better, like the Berghaus yeti gaiter. In 2005 four of our trekkers used high altitude mountaineering boots, great for when you break through a foot or more of ice, but not, even then, totally waterproof, and they are also heavy. But warm!

Fleece top

Essential, adds versatility. A thick thermal top is an alternative.

Down jacket

Essential, could be down or synthetic. You need a real hooded parka, big and long, not a lightweight 'sweater'.

Wind/rain jacket

Waterproof and breathable. Plastic ponchos or non-breathable raincoats are not suitable.

Thermal underwear top and bottom

Expedition weight

Nightwear thermal top

Mid-weight is better. 

Insulated pants

Essential for the evenings; Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, and all the US outdoor brands make them.

Day wear tops

Different layering combinations work for different people. I go for a capilene mid-weight long sleeve top, a zip tee in 100 weight fleece, and an insulated soft shell. If I had on a hard shell, I would add another fleece layer, and for our lunch stop, a big down jacket.

Daywear bottoms

In 2005 the evenings were spent on discussing what we would have brought if we knew, and I think the Patagonia wading pants in rubber did seem tempting! Most people in 2005 wore some sort of soft shell pant, either by Schoeller or another brand. A good combo of part water and windproof, and warm and flexible. In addition to these you need Gore-Tex or similar wind pants or bibs, all with thermals beneath.

Underwear

4 to 7 pairs.

Warm hat or balaclava

A good fleece hat, preferably windproof. Plus a balaclava, and a neck gaiter.

Gloves

Shell gloves plus both medium and lightweight fleece gloves. A good alternative to this is a pair of windstopper fleece gloves, and a pair of down mitts.

Trekking poles

Essential and must be good ones; avoid inferior brands.

Sunglasses

Essential, with side pieces or wrap around. The glare can be painful.

Water bottle

Should be one liter or more in capacity, take boiling water and be leak-proof. You need three liters total, and if you have an insulated cover, even better. Camelbaks and other drinking systems, even with insulated tubes, are no good. You must have bottles.

Pee bottle

Unless you want to brave the cold!

Torch / Flashlight

Petzl Tikka's and other similar torches with LED bulbs are absolutely essential. Headlamps are ideal for reading in the tent and also essential for night toilet trips.

Toiletries and odds and ends

Essentials for the month only. The smallest tube of toothpaste is perfect for a month. We provide toilet paper, for the toilet; not for cosmetic or nose blowing! Please bring your own tissues. Roll-on deodorant can spare you grief with your tent partner.

Towel

Bring only a small one trekking, or better, a sarong.

Sun screen and lip care with sun protection

Essential. The sun is very strong at altitude. Absolutely the best lip balm is Banana Boat's sports, Aloe Vera or Vitamin E.

Moisturiser

A small tube for sensitive or well cared for skins. The air is dry and the sun harsh.

Sunhat

Essential the air is thin up here, and the reflection from snow can be brutal.

First aid kit

We carry one with aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, various antibiotics for Indian varieties of diarrhea, Diamox (an acclimatizing aid drug), antiseptic, antihistamine cream, bandages and the book Medicine for Mountaineering.

You should bring any personal medicines that you need.

Camera

Bring a spare set of batteries, and plenty of film. It is available in Delhi, but of variable quality. Ladakh is particularly photogenic, so take plenty of film. Panorama and instant cameras are a last resort.

Video camera

Ask. While trekking there is nowhere to recharge batteries.

Novel

One or two with high swap ability. Delhi has some excellent book shops. We normally carry a library as well.

Money pouch/belt/inside pocket

Most people find wearing one while trekking a hassle and keep it buried in their kitbag or daypack.

Snow gaiters

Essential.

Down booties

Shoes and boots are not allowed in the dining tent; we can supply you a cheap pair from Nepal if you wish.

Evening camp wear

Around camp you can wear

+ a down jacket, heavy.

+ fleece/insulated pants

+ warm hat +gloves

+ thick sox

Snacks and nutrition

You will feel your best with plenty of good food and keeping hydrated. We provide the food and the water, but the last two ingredients are wholesome snacks and vitamin tablets. Chocolate and chocolate bars are readily available in Leh and Manali, but Clif bars, Power bars and the like are not available. Bring multi-vitamins from home.

What is available in India

Very little, so bring everything apart from chocolate bars from home.

Gear list

What we provide

Our camping trips are full-service, with tents, sleeping pads, our Tibetan dining tent, cook tent, all supplies and food, porters and a fantastic staff and guides provided. You just need to bring your personal gear, a good spirit, gear and some good cheese to keep Joel happy!

What you DON'T need

You don't need a mosquito net; we stay in good hotels where there are no mosquitoes and there is very little chance that you will ever get bitten. Although India is a malarial area we recommend that you DON'T take malaria prophylaxis.

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