Chadar Trek

What if your toes are dripping wet? Always?
And all your five layers of clothing are cold and moist
If your backpack is full of bricks
And the zips on your bag are sharp thorns waiting to sting you at their touch
If it takes 3 attempts to tuck in and close your sleeping bag
And after you are all settled to rest, you realize you need to pee and have to go through all the above all over again!

That's what no one tells you about trekking in peak winter in Ladakh.
But that is the only thing you need to prepare for. The cold. Accept that it will beat you, leave you irritated, famished and hopeless. Accept and pray for it to get colder even, for that is the only thing that ensures that there is a proper sheet of ice for you to walk on. That is all you need to complete the Chadar trek.The will to accept and yet push yourself further. No one dies of moistness. No one dies of tiredness. Unless you let it diminish your will.

What came in handy:
Down jacket - pick one with a hood and as many pockets as possible
Fleece pant
Good woolen socks
Gum boots
Rain pants
Thermals
Gloves - inner and outer layers. Buy waterproof one with loops in it so it can stay on your hand even when u dont want to use it.
Balaclava
Woolen cap - choose one with ear flaps
Thermos flask to keep your water warm
Vaseline and sunscreen

What was not needed:
Sun hat - you can manage with wollen cap/bandana
Spare inners - you'll never want to change unless you fall into the water and are wet.
Liners - you won't have time or patience to slip into that
Trekking pole - a nuisance when walking on solid ice. doesn't help much on rocky paths either.
Trekking shoes - you won't have patience to tie lace. pick something that is easy to slip into and has a decent grip.

Just have a spare for all the clothing needed. 
Cut all your nails before you leave for the trek
Do enough squats to be able to sit on two rocks long enough to shit.
Carry enough bandages, tissues and sanitizers
Carry an antiseptic cream/anti bacterial powder
Carry some turmeric, pepper powder and drink with hot water/black tea to avoid catching cold.
And walk. Listen to the crumbling ice under your feet, feel the rhythm of your stride, feel the snow fall on your face, smile some and walk.