Hello All,
First post from a newbie!! Anyway, I have noticed that more than a few bush craft enthusiasts have difficulty sleeping soundly "in the field". The source of the trouble seems to be uncertainty in a new environment. Perhaps the idea of becoming so vulnerable in the presence of wild animals is unsettling.
I knew of a bushcraft "guru" who seemed to have dealt with this anxiety completely. If weather conditions permitted, he would simply lay down somewhere under a tree and sleep the entire night out. No tent, no sleeping bag, and he was always rested and ready to go in the morning. He has done this on and off for the past 30 years.
Yesterday night I decided to give this a try. By the light of a full moon I took a river walk and found a nice place to lie down. I couldn't have asked for a better conditions. The entire area was bathed in a silvery glow, and the stars were shining brightly. I used a grassy area as my "bed" and found that I was completely comfortable physically. However, the occasional sound of cracking branches in the bush kept me awake. After a few hours of short periods of sleep, I decided to I needed some real rest and headed home at about 4 a.m.
The next morning, I returned to my "camp" and found a large bear bed about five feet from where I had slept. It appeared to have arrived after I left.
I am not saying that I was in any danger, however, there is some risk associated with sleeping in the wilds, (or anywhere I suppose). So, finally to my question.
Has anyone else experienced a heightened level of anxiety (whether real or perceived) while trying to catch some zzz's in the wilderness? If so, how have you dealt with it?
First post from a newbie!! Anyway, I have noticed that more than a few bush craft enthusiasts have difficulty sleeping soundly "in the field". The source of the trouble seems to be uncertainty in a new environment. Perhaps the idea of becoming so vulnerable in the presence of wild animals is unsettling.
I knew of a bushcraft "guru" who seemed to have dealt with this anxiety completely. If weather conditions permitted, he would simply lay down somewhere under a tree and sleep the entire night out. No tent, no sleeping bag, and he was always rested and ready to go in the morning. He has done this on and off for the past 30 years.
Yesterday night I decided to give this a try. By the light of a full moon I took a river walk and found a nice place to lie down. I couldn't have asked for a better conditions. The entire area was bathed in a silvery glow, and the stars were shining brightly. I used a grassy area as my "bed" and found that I was completely comfortable physically. However, the occasional sound of cracking branches in the bush kept me awake. After a few hours of short periods of sleep, I decided to I needed some real rest and headed home at about 4 a.m.
The next morning, I returned to my "camp" and found a large bear bed about five feet from where I had slept. It appeared to have arrived after I left.
I am not saying that I was in any danger, however, there is some risk associated with sleeping in the wilds, (or anywhere I suppose). So, finally to my question.
Has anyone else experienced a heightened level of anxiety (whether real or perceived) while trying to catch some zzz's in the wilderness? If so, how have you dealt with it?