Podcast Episode 134 | Sleep Quality in the Backcountry

[Backpacking Light]

Companion forum thread to: Podcast Episode 134 | Sleep Quality in the Backcountry

Disrupted backcountry sleep affects recovery, judgment, and safety. Learn how altitude, stress, and gear impact rest, and discover strategies for better sleep.

[Chase Jordan]

What are your top tips for getting the best possible rest you can in the backcountry?

[Roger Caffin]

A good (tunnel) tent, a good insulated airmat, and a good dinner.
Cheers

[Terran Terran]

I sometimes take ibuprofen during the day so I don’t cramp up at night. The cold can wake me up. If I have trouble falling asleep, I’ll roll something up under my neck, tilting my head back with my hands laying flat over my body. I’ve laid in that position for what has seemed like hours. Sometimes still half awake, I still get the rest that my body needs.

[Dan]

I have never succeeded in getting a good night’s sleep in the backcountry, but sometimes I take a nap during the day to compensate.

[Terran Terran]

I wake up early. I really need everything organized so I can start out in the dark. Otherwise I waste that time. If I use it, then I can afford a nap.

[Roger Caffin]

I rarely wake up in the morning until my wife starts nudging me saying “Breakfast”.
Cheers

[Terran Terran]

A good (tunnel) tent, a good insulated airmat, and a good dinner.

And breakfast in bed.
Cheers

[Roger Caffin]

My wife says ‘of course’.
Cheers

[Charlie Brenneman]

Good gear! I’m very happy with my switch to a wide Tanager because I used to struggle with quilt drafts as I tend to roll a lot. Just got back from a cold night in Desolation (sub freezing with wind chill) and was toasty warm with that bag plus my Nemo all season pad and Dipole with the solid inner. I was also warm in camp with my Goosefeet down jacket and pants.

However, I was a bit cold on my back and butt sitting due to the wind blowing against the nylon of my chair and the compressed down. I’m sure others have already done this but it finally dawned on me to use my Gossamer Gear thinlight pad on the chair and I was instantly comfortable. I have had trouble in the past eating when showing up to camp tired and then being cold, which then led to poor sleep. This time, even in cold temps due to the wind, I ate well and slept even better.

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