Sleeping tips for the backcountry

[elkduds]

I was a Sailor, so I can sleep anywhere, anytime.

USN, eh? Indebted to you for your service.

 

[CaseyD]

So my sleeping arrangement is where I “splurge” I’m a stick dude, so the nice light sleeping bags are too tight for me. I found the Big Agnes Whiskey Park 0 degree bag and the Klymit Insulated V with a packer pillow are more comfy than my bed.... as for sleep aid I use Mtn Ops slumber an hour before I want to be asleep. I hope for 7-8 hours of sleep before I get up and get moving. Any less and I get a slight hang over, 7-8 or any more and I’m ready to roll. Benadryl and the other stuff mentioned and I am hungover for 2 days.

 

[Mike Islander]

USN, eh? Indebted to you for your service.

Thank you. Submarine service 80-86. Navy diver and sonar supervisor.

Navy men are known to sleep anywhere under almost any conditions, sometimes where we have no business being.

I worked 6-on 6-off for much of my career, so tired all the time and learned to sleep whenever I could.

I think the coffee wears off enough to let me sleep, but also eliminates midnight craving for caffeine.

 

[hikenhunt]

Try taking some magnesium chloride, such SlowMag at Walmart, about 15 minutes before bed. It relaxes muscles and helps prevent cramping. Just like everything else, try it at home first.

 

[deerkiller]

Make sure your exhausted at the end of the day.

I was gonna say hunt harder !

 

[deerkiller]

Thank you. Submarine service 80-86. Navy diver and sonar supervisor.

Navy men are known to sleep anywhere under almost any conditions, sometimes where we have no business being.

I worked 6-on 6-off for much of my career, so tired all the time and learned to sleep whenever I could.

I think the coffee wears off enough to let me sleep, but also eliminates midnight craving for caffeine.

retired career firefighter/paramedic, I can sleep virtually anywhere too and it doesn't take me long …..

 

[deerkiller]

Personally I'd not feel good about taking any sleep aids …. SASQUATCH says "YA, take 'em" though

 

[jjtt13]

Advil PM and Kentucky bourbon

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[sneaky]

Don't sleep on a slope. Just woke up half in and half out of my LBO. I'll find a flat spot today if nothing else.

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[jolemons]

I think I'm ready to try a cot as well. I can't seem to keep my arms from falling asleep and waking me up, regardless of position. I may try a wide pad too.

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[brsnow]

I have an ultralight cot/pad. Even with that I can still get 3 plus days in my peregrine 3500 pack comfortably. I don’t like the idea of non-natural sleep in the backcountry. Want to wake up if needed.

 

[deerkiller]

I think I'm ready to try a cot as well. I can't seem to keep my arms from falling asleep and waking me up, regardless of position. I may try a wide pad too.

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not joking, you might want to talk to your Doc about that ?

 

[ianpadron]

This sometimes can be tricky where I’ve been going the last couple years. Seems like even the flattest spot still have a slope. Enough to where my pad is always sliding down on my tyvek. I put my pack at my feet to try and help that but it really didn’t much. I always have to get up and reposition everything. I’m going to a floored shelter next year to see if having the enclosed walls and no tyvek will help any. I have a pretty luxurious sleep system that is great when I’m on truly level ground, well at least level enough to keep me from slowly sliding down hill.


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A few dabs of tent sealer silicone on the underside of your pad will fix the sliding issue.

 

[Steel Rain]

I like a few swallows of rye whiskey. Not so much to make you buzz but just enough to warm your soul. I sleep better in the backcountry than I do at home. Probably bc I have fewer things to worry about.

 

[WCB]

Besides having the right equipment (sleep bag, pad, tent, pillow, etc.) Number one thing that has helped me is having baby wipes or having a good clean up in a creek when getting back. Also, if you have to sleep in any type of clothing/socks. have a set just for sleeping. Nothing worse than going to sleep in worn socks. In my opinion worth the extra weight.

 

[Wright406]

Nemo ultralight fillo pillow at 2oz has changed how well I sleep by 100%

 

[Dougefresh]

10mg melatonin
500 mg valerian root
Cup of Chamomile tea
IB Profen PM
Indica in some form
Down pillow stuffed with a jacket
A second stuff sack stuff with extra clothes to put between my knees when side sleeping.

You nailed it...

 

[HNTNBUX]

Get your pillow game fixed and squared away. This year I got my pillow figured out and it made a world of difference.