Getting a Good Nights Sleep

pict

pict

Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
2,373
I find that the older I get the more important it is to get some solid sleep in while I’m out and about. I’ve made my mistakes and slept in my share of mud puddles. When I was 18 that wasn’t much of a problem. Now that I’m pushing 40 it’s starting to matter.

My current system is a Thermarest pad, tropical weight bag, and “Guide Gear” bivy sack for the Sportsman’s Guide. When it starts to get colder here in Brazil I carry my old 3-season Qualofill mummy bag or supplement the tropical bag with a poncho liner. I also sleep in my clothes with thick socks. I find a pillow to be essential to keep from having neck problems. I usually use a “Ziggy Pillow” with a full 2-liter Platypus bag inside the back pocket.

My normal procedure is to prepare the ground with my machete, boots, etc, clearing any lumps, rocks, or roots. I then rip up a large mat of dry grass to cover this and place the Thermarest over top. Sometimes I don’t bother to carry the Thermarest pad if I’m going to be in an area with lots of grass.

I remove my belt and all items from my pockets. Normally in cold weather I wear a fleece sweatshirt with hood. I only put the hood up if I wake up and my head is cold.

Often I attach an Inova red LED to the zipper of the sweatshirt. I also put whatever knife or machete I’m carrying (normally a BK-7) above my head next to my canteen. I’d prefer to place my 1911A1 up there but Brazilian law being what it is…

What sleep systems do you use, and what tips do you guys have for getting a good night’s sleep in the bush? Mac
 
Put your thermarest inside your bivi bag. You wont slide off it and it protects it from holes. ;)

SKam
 
I love pillows! I have a slumberjack camp pillow AND an inflatable pillow. I think that I could almost do without my trail pad as long as I had some pillows.
 
I've used a Crazy Creek LEX for the last 5 or 6 outtings... In Upstate NY during december, tempretures at or below zero it kept me warm when used with a Thermarest pad and a +20 degree rated sleeping bag.

I've used it on 2 trips here in florida, and when used with nothing else (temp's range from 100F to 60F) it keeps me very comfy in the woods.

Edit: And of course.. always bring a pillow! I use a standard bed sized pillow.

S-2540.jpg

They can be had for under $60 on ebay
 
When its cold I sleep with a wool stocking cap (watch cap) on to keep the heat loss down. I use a slumberjack pillow or a 1/2 size bed pillow. When sleeping on the ground: after clearing I dig shallow depressions at my hip and shoulder positions before laying down material /pads etc.
Enjoy!
 
I can't sleep with out a pillow. Instead of packing a pillow into the backcountry with me I use a stuff sack filled with clothes, often placed on top my daypack, or a pile of more clothes. I find it pretty comfy.

I use a standard Therm-a-rest, whcth is exceptionally comfortable, and supposadly much warmer than a simple foamy.

But despite it's warmth, I am thinking of switching back to a foamy for climbing in order to save weight. It is more efficient to carry a warmer sleeping bag to make up for the lost insulation of the foamy.

Also, I have come to realize that after a day for intense alpine climbing, usually with a heavy pack, lieing down on ANYTHING seems comfortable. On car camping trips, and summer backpacking trips, I find the therm-a-rest worth the weight.

Will
 
Know your bladder. Getting up to pee doesn't help sleeping well, even with pee bottles.

Phil
 
If you have done a hard hike and are pooped you are really going to need some decent sleep. This is why I will not scrimp on stuff for this. I might leave out a treat (Flask of Bundaberg Rum) or candy bars to make up for the weight but if you dont get a decent rest you are really going to be the weakest link in the chain the following day and no one likes to feel like they are the slow one. As it is I have a Thermarest (full length) a Snugpak Softie and I use kit and pack as a pillow.
 
Most of my camping anymore is bicycle camping. I use a compact Thermarest, my "40 bag" & a Slumberjack Quallofil pillow. With my Earlywinters Pocket Hotel my entire sleep system weighs < 10 lbs. and fits in one bike pannier. As for comfort, I sleep on the floor at home so...........
Gene :D
 
Like Pict, I am getting on a little, and value my comfort as much as I value my time in the bush.
Thermarest 3/4 length does me to pad the hip and shoulder, I wrap that in a strip of lightweight canvas about 4 feet long, 18 ins wide to prevent prickles, sharp stones puncturing the Thermarest.
Poncho liner, and various grades of sleeping bag depending on weather cover most of the "keeping warm" requirements, not a problem in my patch in Western Australia for most of the year. (your mileage may vary, as they say)
Mosquito net, either short head and shoulders length if you are backpacking, or full length if you have a vehicle are a must. When the mozzies finish their shift at dawn, the blowflies start, a net will keep you snoozing as long as you want.
A couple of small Photon lights (I like red) clipped to your sleeping bag zipper will both see you to the latrine and guide you back to your bag in the dead of night. Use one as a flashlight, the other to guide you back.
A watch cap ( a "beanie" in Oz) for cold nights is good, breathe fresh air and don't lose heat through the head.
Peace of mind is as essential as a soft and comfortable bedspace. Pick your spot carefully, arm yourself if you feel better doing this, but above all relax, cast aside the city cares and watch the stars, read your favourite poetry out loud, speak to your ancestors and connect with Mother Nature.
Life is short, take the time to enjoy it.

And, thank you to all contributors to Bladeforums "Wilderness and Survival", fascinating stuff, I learn much and hope I can offer a little.
 
I just purchased a Therm-a-rest Prolite 4. I have used it once and it is incredible! It is super light weight and packs so small it is hard to believe it would be so comfortable. I slept like a baby! I can finally retire the cheapy I bought from Wal Mart a few years ago. :D
 
For backpacking, an Outdoor Research Bivy Bag, a cheap 3/8" thick foam pad and a 20 degree F sleeping bag. This is bombproof and proven, in cool to cold climates. But it better be a short bomb. :yawn:

And in the Sierras, it usually is.
 
when im campaigning(civil war term meaning we sleep outside without tents), i just sleep in my wool uniform, usually in the grass, or against a hay bale(im 16). my dad,(whos 47) sleeps on a mat we made from pink insolation boards. we cut 3 2' by 2' pieces and made a duct tape hinge for each piece. it folds out into a good surface for extra padding. the point of it really is to give a nice flat surface, thats dry, and it bounces 75% of your heat back at you. the downside is you have to add padding on top of it.
 
does the curve of the hammock hurt your back?...are you forced to sleep tummy -up all night?




HK2001 said:
I've used a Crazy Creek LEX for the last 5 or 6 outtings... In Upstate NY during december, tempretures at or below zero it kept me warm when used with a Thermarest pad and a +20 degree rated sleeping bag.

I've used it on 2 trips here in florida, and when used with nothing else (temp's range from 100F to 60F) it keeps me very comfy in the woods.

Edit: And of course.. always bring a pillow! I use a standard bed sized pillow.

S-2540.jpg

They can be had for under $60 on ebay
Click to expand...
 
You might also want to check out Hennessy Hammocks. I've got the backpacker asymetrical version. It weighs about two lbs and supports up to 200 lbs. Best night sleep I've ever got outdoors. One key to staying warm in cool weather is whats underneath you. In the hammock I use a thermarest z rest, cut down and placed inside my sleeping bag to keep me from sliding off of it during the night. The website is hennessyhammock.com Good luck.
 
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