How do you sleep in the backcountry?

[AdamW]

The more nights I spend out, the better I have found I sleep. One thing that really blows my mind is the amount of sleep aids guys are using. Maybe it is a mountain-specific need, but seeing guys whip out a ziploc with 100 sleeping pills in it freaks me out. Asleep and unconscious are not the same thing.

 

[Titan_Bow]

I have some of the best nights sleep while in the backcountry. The first night at higher elevation can be a little more difficult as I tend to toss and turn more.

 

[Elkfitness]

I have an xtherm and sleep great. The key to great sleep is to get A thicker pad, and a sleeping bag just a tad warmer than needed.

 

[Poser]

2 cups of chamomile tea + 5-8mg Melatonin + 1 advil PM + CO edible supplement = Comatose state. The benefits of 8+ hours of sleep (9-10 if I can get it) make a huge difference. I typically will have to piss at least once during the night, but with that sleep aid concoction, its something that I barely remember. If its cold out, I'll get in my quilt, cinch it down tight as possible for maybe 10-15 minutes or so to get my body feeling warm to the point of being hot, then I'll vent it to a comfortable setting and pass out.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Like a baby without a worry or care in the world.

A baby water buffalo...I've heard your snoring.

 

[flyinsquirel]

2 cups of chamomile tea + 5-8mg Melatonin + 1 advil PM + CO edible supplement = Comatose state.....

What is CO edible supplement?


Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Titan_Bow]

I'm surprised at how many people are mentioning pharmaceutical assistance to sleep in the backcountry.

 

[gelton]

I am not afraid of bears but am afraid to get comotosed on pharmaceuticals or otherwise in case of bears. Would hate to have to wake up from a slumber to jump to action and defend myself or camping spot without knowing if it's real or a dream.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I'm surprised at how many people are mentioning pharmaceutical assistance to sleep in the backcountry.

I prefer a little distilled grain assistance.

 

[Poser]

I'm surprised at how many people are mentioning pharmaceutical assistance to sleep in the backcountry.

Coming from the East, altitude can have a serious effect on sleep quality.

 

[Seth1913]

What is CO edible supplement?

A marijuana edible. Wonderful for sleeping.

 

[Shrek]

I sleep progressively better the longer I'm out. First night is usually not great but the last is better than when in town in my own bed. I don't sleep through the night anyway so any solid five hour block of sleep is as good as it gets for me. As long as my mind doesn't catch on a thought and start running I can roll over and go right back to sleep.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Better than at home

 

[orionsbrother]

I sleep fine enough to do what I need to do during the day. But, certainly I'm concerned about bears, and other stuff. Getting struck by lightning, too. Those are probably my two biggest fears.

One time I took my wife into the backcountry of RMNP, she was actually just my gf then and that was how I proposed, on a mountain top. Anyway one time I awoke to a bear sniffing walking through camp and sniffing the outside of the tent. I was petrified, didn't know what to do. I was considering grabbing my knife and charging out and defending us. As I was considering what to do my wife started to stir, and I squeezed her and said "don't move, bear outside." We both quivered with fear for a few minutes as we heard the bear walk, sniff, walk, sniff. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, I realized it wasn't a bear, but just the tag that the NPS makes you put on your tent blowing against the side of the tent in the wind. Relief, embarrassment.

Hahahahahahaha...LMAO!!! I just read this and my wife wanted to know why I was laughing so hard. So, I read your post out loud to her. She folded her arms across her chest, furrowed her brow and sternly informed me, "If you even think of squeezing me in the middle of the night while I'm asleep and telling me that I shouldn't move or make a sound because it's a bear...And it's some tag on the tent blowing around...I will no longer be your wife! The proper term is widow!!!"

So....guess I gotta scratch that prank off the list.

She then proceeded to opine that if this non-bear event occurred on the same trip where you proposed...and she still married you...well, then you must be much more handsome than me.

I think she's getting to be a bitter woman. Kinda mean too.

 

[elkguide]

I sleep so very soundly in the woods. I've been woken up by bears several times but they left after an eternity and I went back to sleep. No food smells and they have always lost interest.

 

[7stw]

Now that I have a good sleep system I sleep great. Dinner coffee and I'm out like a light and pray I hear the alarm. I actually sleep more soundly in the backcountry than at home less thoughts to consume my mind.


Sent from NSA wire tapped device.

 

[jmez]

I don't have any issues sleeping. Sleep soundly all through the night.

 

[rodney482]

800 mg of Ibuprophen.. Im out and my knees feel great in the AM

 

[5MilesBack]

Several years ago I was camping in California. I woke up and heard scratching on the base of the tent. I had seen raccoon tracks earlier, so I slapped the tent several times yelling "beat it, raccoon". There it was again, scratch, scratch, scratch. So I did the same, and it continued. So I got up with my flashlight ready to beat a raccoon to death, and there he was.......a skunk. You talk about a 180 degree change in attitude and emotion in a millisecond. Luckily he didn't spray, and after seeing me he worked his way off into the forest.

 

[Cant hit em]

Several years ago I was camping in California. I woke up and heard scratching on the base of the tent. I had seen raccoon tracks earlier, so I slapped the tent several times yelling "beat it, raccoon". There it was again, scratch, scratch, scratch. So I did the same, and it continued. So I got up with my flashlight ready to beat a raccoon to death, and there he was.......a skunk. You talk about a 180 degree change in attitude and emotion in a millisecond. Luckily he didn't spray, and after seeing me he worked his way off into the forest.

I was camping in Santa Cruz and got pretty hammered. We left all the food out cause no bears by the beach. Got woke up around midnight to what sounded like a cat fight. Opened the tent and 4 skunks were scrapping over the food. My buddys dog got sprayed