the KEY to a goodnights sleep

“I have the BA mat, but I think the other one is called InsulMat?”

“Big Agnes Air Core. I fit is cold, then a Thermarest Prolite 3 or closed cell foam pad on top of that. Plus 800 mg ibuprofen. Earplugs for my tentmate so I don't get poked all night long.

Bess - I am like you about sleeping on your side. Try the Big Agnes Air Core. You don't touch the ground when you sleep on your side. If it is cold (say, below 40F) take add a layer of insuation between you and the pad.”

“I have the BA Insulated Air core and use it year round without anything else (other than my sleeping bag :))”

“hyway, how cold have you gone?”

“Any good backpacking sleeping pads out there that are soft enough to keep a side-sleeper's hips from getting sore?

You are in luck! Sierra Trading Post ahs the best mattress on the market dirt cheap! The Insul Mat Max.

Weighs about what a thin T-Rest UL weighs, is a full 2 1/2" thick, packs down smaller than a loaf of bread, is insulated, and marked down from $58 to $33! Oh, and it doesn't come apart at the seams like the BA mats do [ducking].”

“Thanks for the suggestions! That InsulMat is a good price, and sounds good. I've been using an eggcrate foam pad with a closed-cell pad laminated onto it - nice, but not quite soft enough. An air mattress would be better.

I wish I could sleep on my back. But whenever I try, as soon as I get to sleep some strange noise wakes me up. It sounds for all the world like someone snoring, but it always stops when I wake up. Hmmmm....”

“A gear tester at Backpacker Mag road an Insul Mat down a scree slope five times before it ripped. They are tough as nails. The amount of room it saves in the pack is as important to me as weight savings. They also have on sale the non insulated ones real cheap too. I have one of those for summer.”

“My new Insul Mat has arrived. Can't wait to get out & try it - thanks, Nigal!
last edited: 3/15/07 11:22:36 AM”

“I have found a pint of scotch to aid in a good nights sleep.”

“is there a good sleep? where? how?”

“Heck when I get to sleep it is always good.”

“it's gonna be 19 this weekend when i go out...i think i'm gonna try strapping some hand warmers to my femoral artery for warmth at night”

“Usually, I just beat my head against a wall until I pass out.”

“Alcohol
Sex
a little more alcohol”

“hammock”

“thrifty - wear two pairs of socks and stick them down below each ankle. Nice artery running right at the surface there. When I was out last month in 3F temps, it worked great.


Until they ran out at 4 in the morning [sad face]....”

“Anyone mention earrplugs on group trips?”

“Sass...I frequently end up in stations where half the crew snores and I mean SNORES. After a few years I got used to it.

tech, try the heat pack behind the neck. I did it the other weekend in 25F temps...really worked.

One other thing I am finding is that at around 3 or 4 am I am waking up cold REGARDLESS. Must be I have burned up all my energy...so I have started having something nearby to get a quick energy boost. The little chocolate bars are best.”

“thrifty - wear two pairs of socks and stick them down below each ankle. Nice artery running right at the surface there. When I was out last month in 3F temps, it worked great.

The tried and true method I have found is to take a couple of the thin plastic bags from the veggie section at the grocery store and put them on your feet with socks over them. Makes a nice vapor barrier sock. Has never failed me.”

“I love sleeping inthe icy cold, given one has a warm bag to curl up in.”