Minimalist sleeping on the ground

[go_deep]

What are some the the most minimal setups you have used to sleep on the ground in moderate cold, and actually got some sleep?
Say right around 30° for an overnight low.

 

[Mike Islander]

Some sleep? I did the Jeremiah Johnson hot coals technique once on the banks of the Mokelumne River. Somewhat warm for a few hours in just a wool pea coat and Levis. Woke up damn cold, sleeping by a river. I also slept almost comfortably in a thick cardboard box, used to ship a commercial clothes washer.

 

[Maverick1]

1. Sleeping bag only / bare ground. No pad.
2. #1on top of piece of tyvek
3. #1 inside of bivy sack
4. #2/#3 + sleeping pad

Have also done each of the above underneath an ultralight tarp

For a side sleeper a thicker pad makes a significant difference in getting a good night’s rest. Worth the extra weight IME.

Depends on several factors. (Weather, number of days one wants to do this in a row, etc.).

Clear skies, no wind, no rain/snow, a night or two not a big deal.

Weather, or for multiple nights in a row, likely wouldn’t go that route.

At 30 degrees would recommend some sort of hat to retain heat.

 

[Antares]

When I was in my teens and early 20s, I used to just roll up in a 6'x8' blue tarp. No sleeping bag, no nothing. Just kick my boots off, put a hat on, and call it a day. Mostly in August in the alpine in SEAK. I don't know how I did it, it would probably be all I could do to hobble back to the truck now after a night spent like that.

 

[Ross]

Mid October low about 28, 40 degree bag on pine boughs…on list of stupid things too do froze and almost 50 yr body ached for several days….promptly ordered appropriate gear and never looked back

 

[BRTreedogs]

I stayed at a holiday Inn express.

Ohh and get a hunting buddy. No homo if below 32°

 

[ManyBullets]

This one time at band camp. . .

 

[Poser]

Back in college, I used to thrown down on pine needles with just a bivy sack.

These days, if there is no real impending rain:

Bivy sack + Xtherm + quilt is quite common for me.

If some or moderate rain or I’m above treeline: add 7 oz tarp. -this is a vary common setup for me through Oct.

After Oct, the hot tent comes out.

 

[IdahoElk]

A sleeping bag and pad lots of times, one time I woke up greeted to and inch of snow on me, that's when I was younger and not very smart.

 

[Mosby]

I used to sleep on floors and porches when I went to the Jersey beach. No blanket, pillow, bag or box. Didn't even know the people. Just whoever I ran into in bars who would let me crash. Get up in the morning, rinse and repeat. If my kids only knew.

 

[*zap*]

high r-value pad and appropriate sleeping bag = anything is possible.

 

[180ls1]

"Some sleep" is pretty subjective. Honestly, its not something I want to mess around with. Good sleep will make you a better hunter.

An Uberlite pad is like 12oz and will get you down to 30* no problem. Then add a mylar blanket or a quilt.

 

[go_deep]

My comment of some sleep is meant to be, actually warm and comfortable, got some actual sleep, not I spent the night on the ground froze my butt off and really didn't sleep.

 

[b_comptonwild]

I've tried to cut weight in my pack and sacrifice sleeping pads and tents. Being a side sleeper I decided that a nice insulated pad is the only way to go. I cut out weight elsewhere. Some ultralight tents weigh about as much as a bivy nowadays too.

 

[andesite]

Some sleep? I did the Jeremiah Johnson hot coals technique once on the banks of the Mokelumne River. Somewhat warm for a few hours in just a wool pea coat and Levis. Woke up damn cold, sleeping by a river. I also slept almost comfortably in a thick cardboard box, used to ship a commercial clothes washer.

It seems to me that terrain matters if you're trying to push your sleep system to an extreme. Cool air tends to collect around the river, no?

 

[FLATHEAD]

As teenagers we would pick the coldest nights (teens) to camp out.
Sleeping bags only. Never heard of a pad.
Miserable.

 

[Nillion]

20 Degree Quilt from one of the cottage manufacturers = 28ish Oz
Thermarest Neoair = 8 to 12 Oz

40 Oz or less will keep you warm cowboy camping as long as there's no inclement weather or wind. In case of the latter, add something like a MLD bivy for a weight penalty of 8ish Oz. In case of the former, something like a DCF tarp would work well. That's still 3 pounds or less, well worth it to sleep well.

 

[thegrouse]

I have done mid 20s with quilt and pad.

 

[Time2fish]

Tyvek, pad, bag or quilt and using clothes or pack for a pillow is I guess as light as I go now and still sleep. Add a tarp and pillow and it’s down right luxurious with today’s gear.
When I was younger there was all sorts of under geared nights that I got “some” sleep.

 

[go_deep]

Thinking 8'x8' tarp, pad, and 0°down bag. Figure if it's a little colder have tinder and wood ready to light.