Sleeping When Camping

[jonnno]

I'm a bit of a troubled sleeper and when I'm camping it really annoys me that I'm waking up at 5am when the sun rises because the tent lets so much light in. I know that you may as well get up early and enjoy the day but sometimes I like to go, have a few beers and relax the next day preferrably not before 9am

Anyone else have the same issues?

 

[JonathanD]

I had the same problem. First night I couldn't sleep and it was sporadic. Next day you wake up even more knackered. I eventually found that the cure was a decent pillow. The Nanock ones and the inflatable thermarest type ones worked best for me. Ever since that, I sleep very well.

 

[gregorach]

Yeah - I also usually have a lousy night's sleep the first night. I'm normally a late sleeper, getting up around 10am given half a chance. I just live with it - sometimes it's really nice to be up and about before anyone else. After a couple of days, you get used to it.

There's also a lot to be said for having a siesta.

 

[Chainsaw]

I like it! Snug and warm in your slug bag, watching the world wake up from your hammock, magic! Although admittedly I do usually pull my hat down over my eyes and go for a wee power snooze before getting up

Cheers,

Alan

 

[TeeDee]

Ear plugs and Night Mask. Sleep like a baby in a womb.

 

[rik_uk3]

2000ml of Stella taken noct orally helps. If not get some eye pad things, keeps the light out.

I'm with you, 09:00 seems a civalized time to wake ukp when camping, after all, your taking a break from work and stress.

Why is it that some people get up and start axe practise at first light? Really does my head in.

 

[SimonM]

I always sleep well when out, but I do wake up at first light.

I enjoy watching the world come alive from the warmth of my sleeping bag or hammock and then nodding off again for a few more hours!

Simon

 

[forestwalker]

I'm with you, 09:00 seems a civalized time to wake ukp when camping, after all, your taking a break from work and stress.

I'm usually terribly frustated when travelling with others with a more conventional diurnal pattern. It is 6 am, I'm up, I've had breakfast, packed my kit, even read a bit in a book (meditated or done some tracking or crafting), and I still have to wait another 3 hours before we can get going. It is not "must cover many miles each day", it is just that morning is a nice time to travel. I know caoneist groups where everyone paddles solo, having agreed the day before on where the next camp will be (in general). Then they can leave when they feel like it, and the first one to get to the camp area picks a good spot, and the rest gather as they arrive.

Fresh fish for second breakfast or baking a lot of bread is another solution.

Why is it that some people get up and start axe practise at first light? Really does my head in.

Being one of the morning people I usually see it as suitable "revenge" for assuming that no one would mind loud conversations right next to my shelter at 2300 hours .

 

[Wallenstein]

I find that because I've dressed for the coldest part of the night, as soon as the sun comes up the tent heats up and I boil. Once I've wriggled out of some layers I'm wide awake, so might as well get up.

I now see the early starts as part of the fun for camping, with a siesta under a tree somewhere to make up

 

[Shewie]

I never have any problems sleeping since I got off the deck and started using a hammock more. I do get up with the birds though and end up creeping around the camp site trying not to wake everyone else up.
It's the best time of the day for seeing all those critters which hide away during the day

 

[Nagual]

Must admit, I suffer from waking up too early while out too. Although there is something nice about getting up relighting the fire and having bacon rolls on a sunny / frosty / rain / cloudy day.. Having a quiet thought on what to do and where to go. What does my head in completely is people who do exactly the same thing outside as they do inside, like want to sleep in as long as possible, faff about for a few hours, get something to eat, winge about being bored and how crap it is then want to go home. To me getting outdoors and camping out whether or not it's wild camping or on a site, should be something different from the normal routines of daily life, not a repetition of them only outside. Of course everyone wants different things from trips, perhaps some people like the idea of camping more than the actual camping experience itself.

 

[Cobweb]

I love getting up with the dawn, at home I'm awful for sleeping in, it's nice to be up and about with the rest of the wilderness

As for kipping longer, it's the sunlight that wakes you up so I suggest blocking it out somehow, perhaps an eye mask or a thicker tent, made from canvas maybe?

 

[BorderReiver]

Go with the flow.

When it gets dark, go to sleep, when the sun rises, get up.

Live with nature, don't fight it.

 

[Twodogs]

I thought at first light your supposed to up , checking snares and traps . picking fungi and hunting ?...
All skills I dont have , back to sleep for me then...
Twodogs

 

[nigeltm]

For years I used a tent and had the same problem. Then I tried a hooped goretex bivi and after a rainy night (the first time I'd zipped it tight) didn't wake until going on 10! The goretex was thick enough to block out all the light and I slept through.

 

[irishlostboy]

personally i find out in my hamock is the only time i DO sleep. i could easily stay asleep three days straight when camping in the woods if i could get away with it. as it is, i usually sleep till 11 in the morning, having gone to sleep at 11 that night. after 11 the slagging gets a bit loud, so i get up before someone cuts my ropes. lol. the advantage of sleeping late is someone has the tea made already.

 

[Peter_t]

wear a big wooly hat, one that you can pull over your eyes. that blocks out most of the light and also keeps you so much warmer! pillows mite help, dont bother with an inflateable one thow. use your rucksack as a pillow or fill your sleeping bag stuf sack with spare cloths, grass or leaves.

pete

 

[Bulldog]

If i slept through a dawn id feel cheated!! my favourite part of the day is the hour before first light, get a brew going and sit back and watch the woods come to life.
I have no trouble sleeping, you could peg me on a washing line and id still get a nights kip.

 

[Kerne]

Go with the flow

That's precisely my problem - about 6am I have to get up and "flow" - it's an age thing...

 

[Barney]

The other Friday I was kept awake until 4-30 am by three couples celebrating a birthday. I enjoyed battening the rest of the weekends wood at 6-30 that morning I wish I had taken the dogs, I would have got them going as well.