Please help me sleep! (in the bush)

wow....I gotta say, guys....y'all are totally missing the boat...if I was "naked", I'd be bit mystified....:foot:



I did Philmont....our longest day = 16 miles with 45 lbs. (did that length twice actually).

Believe me when I say, I was Exhausted....totally dead...by the day's end. But it had nothing to do with whether or not I could sleep. Perhaps it was the stress and excitement that sometimes kept me up...who knows. But it wasn't for lack of exertion.


I am also a "must sleep on my side" person. I cannot fall asleep on my back or front.


The advice to pick up a nice thick ThermARest is a good one. These air mattresses are fairly light and comfortable. I went for the lightest ClearView since I had to pack it for 12 days...and it worked great. It was a pain inflating/deflating it every day...but I got used to doing it.

If I do it again (and likely will) I'll go for the thicker pads and cut the weight somewhere else.


I have spent a few years of my life sleeping on the floor...and must say that even if you're used to it...you still feel the aches in the morning. But they go away quickly.

If you're having joint pain, i think you might be better off with an air mattress (vs pad)...and make sure you have plenty of water that evening...and then none a good hour or two before bedtime.


I do toss and turn quite a bit at night...but not enough to deprive me of sleep. I guess you just have to be used to having to shift around at night.


Here's a review of the BigAgnes Cleaview pad:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/big_agnes_clearview_air_pad_review.html
 
A blindfold and soft earplugs that are properly inserted are invaluable. According to my wife, my snoring can keep bears awake and earplugs are the only answer for her. I remember waking up from a nap at Chicago O'hare only to find that my snoring caused a little girl to break down into tears! If didn't think she'd eat them, I would have given her a pair of those foamy earplugs.

Edit: I had a discectomy between L4/L5 and L5/L6. The pain was excruciating. I found my answer in the Big Agnes pads which I give high praises. They are the most reliable I have ever used. The ear plug, blindfold, A Western Mountaineering Alpinelite bag, and a bundled jacket for a pillow come together to make a killer sleep system.
 
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I to like to at least fall asleep on my side. I have had good luck with a thick (2.5") ThermaRest. I do not bottom out at any pressure point.

Do you use a pillow? Sometimes, that is the secret. Doesn't need to be large -- just something to fit in the hollow of the neck when sleeping on your side.

You did not say what sort of outings you do. If you are car camping, try a matress on a cot. (As noted, you will need insulation - not just air only -- if used in colder weather.)
 
I never have a problem sleeping outdoors. there's just something about the setting and fresh air that I find soothing. I do however have a problem sleeping indoors in new suroundings (ie sleepshift at work) and I have found that Melatonin works great for me without having that sleep hangover. As for matts I'm a fan of Big Agnes products.

-Chris
 
naked said:
I don't know if I have a bad back, or if I'm just a picky sleeper, but I've never been comfortable sleeping outside. I can never seem to get a good nights rest, even when going to bed early, I just can't sleep through the night.

What do you use to sleep comfortably? I have trouble going to sleep not on my side, so I've been needed to get a thicker, more supportive sleeping pad for a while, as my hip just digs into the ground.

Any thoughts or advice?

L!
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the new air mattress are really nice unless you are a very big fellow, someone mentioned hammocks, but that option is only good if the weather is very mild. Maybe you need two air mattress and join them together. Do you have trouble just the first night or the other nights as well?
 
I sleep on my side also and I have a hard time sleeping out doors and In the Army we used cots unless we were in a fox hole then we didnt sleep, we just cat napped. I know you say you sleep on your side like me but what I have done was I bought a Hammock and it honestly makes the whole camping thing alot better. I just have to get used to sleeping more on my back but even in a nice hammock you can kind of sleep on your side. Try buying a cheep hammock for about 20.00 and see. I think youll like it.
 
The hammock recommendations are right on. You'll not find a more comfortable method to sleep. There's a whole forum dedicated to hammock camping here.
 
Erasmus said:
Go and lay down on your living room rug, flat on your back, till your body starts to hurt, and remember what hurts. This will simulate sleeping on the ground, in a sleeping bag.

For me, it is the shoulders, rear end, and heels pressing into the ground. You can totally relieve this uncomfortable pressure by (going outside first:foot:) and digging a shallow hole where your shoulders(?), rear end and heel go. You would be very surprised how much this will help.
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+10 to this. Digging a "butt/hip" hole will dramatically relieve any pressure that builds up when lying on your side or back.

I start out on my sides. my main problem is that whatever arm I'm laying on goes numb. I tend to roll around until i fall asleep and always wake up on my back.

A hammock is by far the best night's sleep in the bush for me as long as I am warm. I often use a back blanket hung outside the hammock (poncho liner) to keep my back warm. Mac
 
Most people don't get enough water and fluids to remain properly hydrated on camping trips. Back packing or paddling and portaging can drain the body of needed fluids.

Keep well hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day will help maintain the balance and will help the body in all aspects including sleep.
 
i used to NOT have this problem. I could sleep flat out on the metal deck of a P3, in a hummer passenger seat, on a floor, whatever.

Then i got older and broken, or something. Sucked for a while. Then I discovered hammocks. I cannot stress highly enough the joys of a proper hammock! String it up right, and snoooooooze away.

I got a cheap $25 parachute silk camping hammock (can't remember the brand, but not one of the gearhead brands) at the local surplus shop. Bought 3 yards of 72 inch wide fine netting. A bit of rope and a tarp for rain and I haven't looked back. I spent 3 months last year sleeping 3 to 4 nights a week in it- on my side. Glorious.

found this which looks a lot like mine, but i got it far cheaper, and it probably isn't the "double" size. I am NOT recommending this site, just for photo reference:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garde...p=F&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=19-13876154-2
 
How in the world do you sleep on your side (OP's spec) in a hammock? I know my spine does not bend that way.
 
If you go with the hammock, grab a cheap foam sleeping pad to line it with if it gets chilly at night where you are.

I tried out a hammock this fall and froze my ass off cause it squished down the insulation of my sleeping bag. Was also very uncomfortable because there was no traction between my bag and the nylon hammock, so i'd just slide down into the middle with my feet in the air.
 
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