How do you sleep in the backcountry?

[nirvanafan]

I sleep pretty well in my hammock. It's super comfortable and if I have to pee, I usually just unzip the side and roll over. I pee without ever having to get up. Falling back asleep is pretty quick.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I sleep pretty well in my hammock. It's super comfortable and if I have to pee, I usually just unzip the side and roll over. I pee without ever having to get up. Falling back asleep is pretty quick.

I can relate.

 

[orionsbrother]

I eat Magnesium to help me sleep and on day 4 of a week long trip I was awakened by low growls and heavy breathing. We were camped next to a little creek in the eastern Sierras at about 10,800'. I was way groggy and could not find my flashlight or bear spray but did have my .44 magnum. Then it hit the tent and as the wall pushed in on top of me I fired 3 rounds point blank thru the tent. I remember seeing the flash and watching the powder burn the wall of the tent, smoldering like a cigarette. The ringing in my ears was all I could sense. I was dazed and just sat there for several seconds...then started looking for my flashlight again...holding my S&W 329PD the entire time. I finally located my light and unzipped the SS2 Tarptent. I got out on the opposite side from where the tent had collapsed. There, laying dead next to the tent was my buddy Gary with two bullet holes in the center of his chest. He must have been pranking me, I thought. I am thinking, "This can't be! This isn't happening!!" Then I woke up and heard Gary snoring away in the next tent. it was an upsetting dream...never took Gary for granted again after that. Thought I'd shot him dead.

Put me on the "Never Pranking Bruce List"!!

 

[J_hol]

I eat Magnesium to help me sleep and on day 4 of a week long trip I was awakened by low growls and heavy breathing. We were camped next to a little creek in the eastern Sierras at about 10,800'. I was way groggy and could not find my flashlight or bear spray but did have my .44 magnum. Then it hit the tent and as the wall pushed in on top of me I fired 3 rounds point blank thru the tent. I remember seeing the flash and watching the powder burn the wall of the tent, smoldering like a cigarette. The ringing in my ears was all I could sense. I was dazed and just sat there for several seconds...then started looking for my flashlight again...holding my S&W 329PD the entire time. I finally located my light and unzipped the SS2 Tarptent. I got out on the opposite side from where the tent had collapsed. There, laying dead next to the tent was my buddy Gary with two bullet holes in the center of his chest. He must have been pranking me, I thought. I am thinking, "This can't be! This isn't happening!!" Then I woke up and heard Gary snoring away in the next tent. it was an upsetting dream...never took Gary for granted again after that. Thought I'd shot him dead.

I haven't laughed that hard in a while, thanks!

 

[ReddingArcher]

I get some of my best nights sleep in the backcountry. I think its mostly due to being able to shut everything off and just relax without any phones, tv or anything else to get in your way. I have never been bothered by animals coming in, like a few of the other guys I've had a bear come in and sniff around the tent, it woke me up but I figured getting freaking out would do more harm than good and just laid there until it walked away. I will roll over a few times throughout the night but its never kept me from falling right back asleep.

 

[mallacootasmoothie]

I find a dedicated Pee bottle to be a great help, no trying to ignore the urge because it's too wet or cold out. Just, out of the bag, go into the bottle and right back to sleep.

This weekend, leading a group of boy scouts I forgot the Pee bottle, it was wet and cold. Had a terrible night sleep, up every hour. I didn't want to get out of the bag into the rain, so it ruined my whole nights sleep.

While setting up I take note of the fall of the land, then during the night roll over and piss in the vestibule, roll back over straight back to sleep. It's awfully efficient.

Is that disgusting?

 

[nirvanafan]

I can relate.

I love hanging in the winter.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Accidental dup.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I love hanging in the winter.

It is comforting to know that no matter what Mother Nature dumps on the mountain, your shelter's not gonna collapse on you. <g>

if anyone is thinking I made up the story about the dream...I didn't. That actually happened. I was completely distraught when I woke up. When I'm camping and/or hunting my imagination goes into hyperdrive.

 

[Augustus46]

I think I've always gotten my best sleep when out in the backcountry. I think it's a mix of not having a tv or phone on at night plus being tired from hiking in/hunting during the day. I pass out pretty quick once I'm situated in my bag.

 

[elkyinzer]

I have had some really, really great night's sleep in the backcountry. And some of the worst as well.

On average, I seem to wake up more often. I am a side sleeper and no matter what sleeping pad I try, I usually get hip pointers at night that wake me up and I have to turn over.

I too am surprised with the amount of chemical suggestions. Summer camping trips with friends often result in too much consumption of beer/whiskey. Great for going to sleep, but always causes me to wake up at 3 am. I won't lie I occasionally partake in smoking some grass which is a tremendous sleep aid for me. I've never tried the pharmaceutical variety and don't intend to. Don't mess with anything on hunting trips want to be fresh 24/7.

 

[elkaholic_bc]

I typically have no issues getting to sleep in the backcountry, usually the fresh air knocks you out. But in times where I am wide awake and need to sleep a little of the BC sleep aid goes a long ways. I think it could be similar to that CO sleep aid ..... lol. I would rather do that every day of the week than risk those sleep aids crap, boy they are not good for a person.

 

[Mike7]

It is comforting to know that no matter what Mother Nature dumps on the mountain, your shelter's not gonna collapse on you. <g>

if anyone is thinking I made up the story about the dream...I didn't. That actually happened. I was completely distraught when I woke up. When I'm camping and/or hunting my imagination goes into hyperdrive.

Bruce, I don't know whether it is true or not, but it was well presented nonetheless. You put just the right amount of believable detail in there to make a person bite. Ever since you pulled the old lady's prosthetic leg off in the REI parking lot though, I have had my spidy senses up when reading your stories. Well done & thanks for the laugh.

 

[JoshTX]

Then I woke up and heard Gary snoring away in the next tent. it was an upsetting dream...never took Gary for granted again after that. Thought I'd shot him dead.

LMAO...man you had me going

 

[IdahoElk]

Between the Elk bugling,coyote and wolves howling it's hard to get a full nights sleep,that's what midday naps are for,Ha!