Chadar Trek: The highest point in my life

There are many ways to experience Ladakh - and one of the best by far is trekking on the Zanskar, also called the 'Chadar Trek' because the river is covered by a sheet of winter ice. 

The old-timers may remember my posts before and after my trip in early 2011. But they were brief and did not do justice. So i reminisce, and record once again. 

To embark on such an expedition - that many rate as "extremely challenging" - requires immense training and psyching of the mind. This is not for anything but to have a good and fun trip. Unfortunately, i relied more on the 'psyching' bit than the training and it showed on the last day of the trek. But uh...well...less on that a little later.

My friends J&J supervising my gear a day before i flew to Leh from Delhi

Apart from the fitness levels, there are a few initial things that need attention. Like the gear. Since this trek can be done only in the winters (if that!) it is necessary to brace oneself. The temperature dipped to minus 25 degrees while we were there. So high-quality and appropriate gear is a priority. It can really make or break your trip. 

Apart from being super expensive, the stuff is also very hard to find in Mumbai. Luckily, my team leader, Milan Moudgil, rented out most of the things to me and i bought some from specialty stores. One is in Grant Road and the other is in Matunga (East). I don't think there's a third retail outlet in the city that sells gear for this kind of weather and altitude.

Apart from that, you also need to carry supplemental food that will give you a) instant energy and b) warmth. I carried a sweet made from dates and dry fruits. And of course, something to keep your skin from chapping. Now, here's a little information that not many people will know. You don't need any expensive, high-end, clinical, prescriptive cream for that. All you need is a small bottle of good 'ol Vaseline. I prefer the aloe vera flavour.    

Piling up the good stuff at Gurgaon's Easy Day supermarket

Your team leader will also warn you about high altitude sickness. And i suggest you take it seriously too. Because i (and Milan) didn't know what hit me on the first night. We both thought I wouldn't make it alive another day! Evidently, i did. But its a good thing to start with the pill. We took Diamox for 3 days prior to the trek.

To be continued...  

    

Neutrogena is gender-neutral. Indeed!

The recent Neutrogena IndiBlogger Meet at JW Marriott had a surprise element. More than half of the attendees were males.

Now, I know that traditionally in most countries, Neutrogena also has a line for men's skin care. But in India they have chosen to focus on other products. So I (along with a few other women bloggers) were taken aback when we saw the hall mostly comprising men. Boys to be accurate - including an impressive number of 'Myself-John-Doe-s'.

But wait, that's not the focus of this blog. The important thing to know is that Neutrogena contains a substance - or according to the company, a technology - trademarked Helioplex which unlike normal sunscreens does not break down upon exposure to the sun. This was demonstrated very patiently by a dermatologist who was probably on their rolls. Nevertheless, we admired his patience as he painstakingly compared normal sunscreens with the one by Neutrogena for effectiveness under UV rays. 

Another surprise element (or maybe it just surprised me) was the guest appearance of actress *cough* Tara Sharma who couldn't pronounce 'dermatologists' for some reason. Or maybe that was her trick. In a stunning yellow dress (you got to give it to the mother of two!), she spoke about various things but mostly about her show that is strangely called 'The Tara Sharma Show' - the diaries of a young mother produced by her husband.

Someone joked that she'd have to continue reproducing to keep the show on. But they needn't have bothered; Tara to her credit cracked a 'I call Roopak my co-producer' joke!

But all in all, it was a good meet with good goodies, awesome giveaways, a huge spread, a funny host with a really cute Tamilian accent, and a chance to participate in an Indiblogger Harlem shake which i hope doesn't go viral! For those who have time to waste can check out these pictures from the meet.     

I am disappointed though that Neutrogena isn't promoting one of my fave products from their stable - their awesome sesame seed body oil - that i truly covet. It is such an amazing product that i almost don't want to tell anyone about it and keep all the bottles to myself!