Not being able to sleep?

[bwlacy]

We just got back from our first backcountry hunt. We were out near Telluride, CO. Camping around 11K and my brother and I both had a hard time sleeping. Is that normal? I've never in my life had trouble sleeping. I didn't know if it was the altitude or something else. I thought maybe the first night was the excitement of the hunt, but after that we were both plenty tired. We both woke up about every hour to hour and a half.

The scenery was great. The weather sucked, it rained everyday with some thunderstorms, wind, hail, etc. about 1/2 of the days. Saw sign, only saw a few elk, didn't hear any bugles, not even at night. Maybe I can find more elk next year.

 

[Shrek]

I struggle to sleep when I get really tired and especially when I'm hunting and my mind is working as hard as my body. I think the subconscious reads all the physical and mentral stress and the unfamiliar surroundings as danger and doesn't let you really shut down.

 

[todd kelly]

I pack melatonin for such nights. It really helps me get to sleep when I toss and turn for no reason. Haven't had any issues with grogginess while using it. Nothing worse than not being able to sleep well on a backpack hunt.

 

[jfive613]

I take benadryl every night. Also can get the same drug in Tylenol/Advil PM. Only way I can sleep.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

A combination of Altitude Advantage & magnesium will not only help you sleep but prevent cramps and assist in recovery as well...without any early morning grogginess like other recommendations.

 

[bwlacy]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[realunlucky]

I take benadryl every night. Also can get the same drug in Tylenol/Advil PM. Only way I can sleep.

Tylenol pm for me only one though and it puts me right out

 

[Double Creek]

I just got done with my 4th backcountry hunt and this year I used Altitude Advantage. I was impressed as I didn't have the normal effects of altitude that usually get me, such as headaches, loss of appetite and not being able to sleep. I will definitely be using an altitude supplement going forward.

 

[LongWayAround]

I rarely sleep well on the ground... Or curled up in the back seat/bed of my truck. Really I need to upgrade my sleep system for backpacking but that's beside the point.

I've pretty much come to expect that my nights are going to be filled with tossing and turning. My best sleep on the mountain usually comes at mid day, I find a nice shady, flat spot and pull on my jacket using the pack for a pillow. I sleep like a rock for those few hours and it keeps me out of camp.

Last weekend, I thought I had finally broke the poor night's sleep cycle when I found the best spot I've ever pitched a tent. Almost perfectly flat and completely protected from wind and rain. Then, the night before my buddy killed his first bull I awoke from a deep sleep... Soaking wet. I had rolled onto my camelback and soaked up about a liter of water. Good thing it was early season and warm.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

BTW...start taking the Altitude Advantage BEFORE your trip (per instructions on the bottle).

 

[bobhunts]

Melatonin works the same way. I use the Kirkland brand of sleep aid (strongest) and by night two or three I sleep like a baby. Like Shrek said I have a hard time sleeping in a motel the first night something about the body being in a different place.

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

1st night is always crap for me but from then on, I'm out. I take Advil PM each night.

 

[ElkFanatic]

We just got back from our first backcountry hunt. We were out near Telluride, CO. Camping around 11K and my brother and I both had a hard time sleeping. Is that normal? I've never in my life had trouble sleeping. I didn't know if it was the altitude or something else. I thought maybe the first night was the excitement of the hunt, but after that we were both plenty tired. We both woke up about every hour to hour and a half.

The scenery was great. The weather sucked, it rained everyday with some thunderstorms, wind, hail, etc. about 1/2 of the days. Saw sign, only saw a few elk, didn't hear any bugles, not even at night. Maybe I can find more elk next year.

Altitude plays a big part in your sleep due to less oxygen in your blood and most folks aren't acclimated to those elevations. I work at 8k daily and sometimes have to stay the night due to working early in the morning and road closures. Early in my career I had a hard time sleeping up there but now that I work there daily it doesn't effect me as much. We get lots of complaints from our hotel guests about poor sleep the first night. I hope this gives you some info to think about. BTW we have navy seals that come train at our mountain just for the purpose of acclimating before going overseas.