Tips on Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in the Outdoors.

I find it hard to get a good night’s sleep in the outdoors. A well-rested body and mind are very important when hiking and backpacking. In this video, I show some thing I’ve learned concerning getting a good night’s sleep in the outdoors.
PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN VIDEO (NOTE: I am not sponsored by any companies.)
Therm-a-rest Neoair Uberlite Sleeping Pad:
www.rei.com/product/171756/th...
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad:
www.gossamergear.com/products...
Enlightened Equipment Enigma Sleeping Quilt:
enlightenedequipment.com/enig...
Nemo Fillo Elite Pillow:
www.rei.com/product/170457/ne...
Melatonin:
www.amazon.com/Natrol-Melaton...
Benadryl:
www.amazon.com/Basic-Care-All...
Pee Bottle:
nalgene.com/product/48oz-nalg...
Thanks for watching. Please leave a QUESTION or COMMENT and don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE and click the NOTIFICATION button to be alerted each time I upload a new video. Again...thanks for watching.
* I DO NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.
Subscribe to my channel:
/ @thehikingrev
Leave No Trace:
lnt.org/why/7-principles/
Pinhoti Trail Thruhike Gear List:
lighterpack.com/r/z69hum
PCT Sierra Section Hike Gear List:
lighterpack.com/r/ccsuhg
Pacific Crest Trail Thruhike Gear List:
Desert Section - lighterpack.com/r/mekl3i
Sierra Section - lighterpack.com/r/a891cc
NorCal Section - lighterpack.com/r/81d3hp
Oregon Section - lighterpack.com/r/372u3v
Washington Section - lighterpack.com/r/xa2aq0
Music:
www.epidemicsound.com
Contact Information -
Facebook:
/ pastorcallaghan
Twitter:
/ pastorcallaghan
Instagram:
/ the_hiking_rev

[@thethirdrailchannel]

As a teen , a friend and I went hiking through the fields. We found a big tree and pitched our tent and went to sleep. We both woke up to the strangest sounds. Coyote? Fox? Skunk? We got our flashlight and slowly unzipped the tent to find we had been surrounded by a herd of cows!

[@peterjohnson6273]

That happened to me once! I ended up a tree watching a herd of cows form a circle around my tent. Kind of embarrassing. LOL!!

[@papajeff5486]

Yep, 2:00 one morning, I heard big noise, brush cracking in the woods surrounding me, getting closer and closer. Okay, I got my flashlight. “What is that!” It was cows. Heh, heh…

[@lis819]

Heard a noise camping under a big tree? branch cracking and falling was the first thing I thought of. Avoid camping under trees. Widow makers they call them in Australia … and a bolt of lightening can split a tree in a second…you wouldn’t know what hit you.

[@TheHikingRev]

Yep. Been there done that.😁

[@ujdd201]

45 and I'm getting back out there after 20 some years. Thanks for the info and inspiration!

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome. Good for you!😁

[@tomd1914]

Getting good sleep is the biggest hindrance to hiking enjoyment for me. A pee bottle is a game changer for me. Nothing worse than going out inti the cold air in the middle of the night. Makes it difficult to go back to sleep. And a quilt makes it much easier than a sleeping bag to use the pee bottle.

[@TheHikingRev]

So true Tom, so true. 😁

[@dougbarton]

Tom, can you recommend a pee bottle brand. I tried a collapsible bottle that leaked and wet my entire sleep system. 😢

[@tomd1914]

@@dougbarton I just use a Gatorade or Powerade bottle, something like that. Anything with a wide enough opening to avoid accidents.

[@dougbarton]

Thank you!

[@peterjohnson6273]

I'm in the middle of Canada, and have been in the bush since I was younger than 10. Around here everyone comes face to face with bears. The resulting high pitched scream is enough to scare them away. I've had staring matches with a wolverine (they're bloody scary!), but just stood and looked at him and lived to carry on. Wolves are always all around you here when you're in the bush. If you ever see one, see if you can your camera and take a photo. It's really, really shockingly scary when a cougar presents itself to you. But they're only trying to drive you away from their den. Walk away backwards slowly and you're ok. What does bother you around here are mice, squirrels, whiskey jacks, racoons, and sometimes skunks. I had one crawl up on my sleeping bag once and go to sleep! Pretty awe inspiring experience! :>)

[@TheHikingRev]

Wow, Peter. You’re an expert at animal encounters. 😁

[@lynnburrough3776]

Good stuff Rev. What works for me @ 73 yrs. young, is to hike till I'm tired and sleep in a Hammock. I only sleep about 5 hrs. at home but in the hammock I get that 8 hrs. I also don't have to crawl out of a tent in the morning. Thumbs up for the pee bottle.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Lynn. 😁

[@robertalexander9931]

I was out one weekend several years ago and woke to the sound of a grunting bear about 4 am. Being as quiet as I could, I got my head lamp ready slowly and quietly opened my tent, looked around, without the light, listened for the grunting for about 20 minutes heard the noise and determined it was a couple of ducks about 100 yards away and not a bear. It's funny what you imagine in the middle of the night. Even a mouse sounds like a life threatening animal.

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re right. A squirrel can sound like a bear in the backcountry. 😁

[@shirleyhall1924]

First night is always the worst. But I found if I camp near running water I stand a better chance of sleeping. My worst night was when we decided to set up our tents right next to the trail near a trail entrance point on a road. About 11:00, a car load of teenagers came driving down the trail. Imagine waking up to headlights coming towards your tent. I came out real fast. They drove by, but all I could imagine was them drinking, then driving back out. 😳....no sleep that night. I will never again camp by a road accessible site.

[@TheHikingRev]

That was very good advice Shirley. 😁

[@Hikealittle65]

Rev had to laugh when you talked about your beard l'v did the same thing!!! Enjoy all your vids.

[@TheHikingRev]

Isn’t that crazy?! I thought it was a rodent scratching at my tent. 😁

[@rodoutdoors]

Great video. Sometimes I make the mistake of drinking coffee late. Or I don't burn enough energy.

[@TheHikingRev]

Whoa…I can’t drink coffee after 5 or I’m wired the rest of the day/night. 😁

[@filmic1]

🤣🏕My buddy and I were camping in Jasper Nat'l Park way above the townsite in bench country. Full moon and we were woken up to a shadow on our tent wall, coyote? wolf? it was just letting us know we were in it's territory and relieved itself on our tent fly. Whoa Nelly!!! I've even been followed by a small family of coyotes for about five minutes. They disappeared pretty quickly. I felt very very vulnerable, but nothing happened. Thank-you, Hiking Rev.

[@peterjohnson6273]

Did the dog family member peeing on your tent, make you pee in your tent?!

[@filmic1]

@@peterjohnson6273 We were spooked but not like that. I've read Theburge's Wolves and Wilderness (Dent, pub.) it took that wild wilderness fear out of me, about wolves anyway. They know you're there anyway.

[@TheHikingRev]

Yes. Thank goodness they didn’t eat you. 😁

[@filmic1]

@@TheHikingRev 😳 We were spooked for sure, but all you can do is ride it out.

[@filmic1]

@@TheHikingRev Your'e too funny HikingRev. Your beard. 😂 Again in Jasper but bushwacking up to Signal Mtn to the Skyline Trail. Nothing phases my brother. Pitching 3 tents in the middle of a game trail, with bear scat present not long before. I'm shaking in my sleeping bag. 'A come-on Gar, go to sleep!' I love my brother. Nothing happened.

[@ItsAStephanieB]

Trying to fall asleep with a troop of Baboons barking is really difficult! The sound is sooo crazy loud! And one is never quite sure why they go on like that? #IDontSpeakBaboon 😅 #AfricanHikingProblems At first it sounded like a war cries, then I heard baby baboons screaming and the trees were shaking as they scrambled about. I still don't know what on earth they were yakking about, and I didn't fall asleep for a REALLY LONG time afterwards. 😅 Thank you for a great video Rev! I'll be back for the next one.

[@TheHikingRev]

I think I’d have a hard time falling asleep as well. Thanks Stephanie. 😁

[@janhbhugo5085]

Must of been a leopard that made the baboons jittery .

[@ItsAStephanieB]

@@janhbhugo5085 😳 I never thought of that!..and thinking back - it's highly possible.

[@davem1564]

Hi Rev, I enjoyed your opening theme song. I do get tired at the end of day no matter if I was hiking or not. Your body is telling you that you need rest. I’m 64 and I get tired a little easier than I used to. I do enjoy a good meal so when ready to pitch my tent, I make sure that I eat well. I do appreciate all your suggestions and you are an inspiration to a lot of us. Bless you 🙏

[@TheHikingRev]

Thank you so much, Dave. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video.😁

[@43963]

Hi Rev, I fully agree. The best way to fall asleep is being so tired that nothing else matters than hit the sack. Thank you for posting. Good content!! Cheers, Henk

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Henk. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😁

[@olegoathiking1962]

Always good to see The Rev out and about! Great wisdom for the trail!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. It’s good to be out and about.😁

[@judithpearson3968]

Afternoon, Rev. Great tips for sleeping on trail. Hope all is well with you. Take care. Stay safe. See you next video.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Judith. 😁

[@nigellack2576]

Thanks for another great video. Back in 1988, when I was 28, I bicycled from Montreal to Mexico City, via Alaska, mostly camping wild. I had coyotes outside my tent in the Baja desert, and a black bear mum and 2 cubs scraping on my tent in northern British Columbia, 2am and totally alone off of a disused logging track. Switched on my bike lamp, and radio Australia (short wave in the mountains) and heard them walking away, then got out my tent to see them disappear into the forest. I had an involuntary bowel movement, then lit a Canadian Pacific Railway flare and a quick camp fire! Then lay awake until dawn. All the comments have brought back fond memories! Cheers Rev!

[@TheHikingRev]

Sounds like you had a pretty adventurous trip. 😁

[@martinbrown4940]

Thanks for all the sleep tips. I noticed you are using a different tent from the Plex Solo and was wondering how you like it.

[@TheHikingRev]

“I have turned to the Dark-side.” 😂 Yes I have a Durston X-Mid Pro 1 and I love it. I’m going to do a video review on it soon. I still love my Plex Solo but prefer the Durston. 😁

[@skippyonatrail1170]

Love these tips. I was just going to look up best sleep aids on trail. Godincidence is beautiful!!!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. 😁

[@jK-yj2tl]

Great tips … sometimes If I’ve had a tough night on the trail I’ll take Tylenol PM… usually does the trick.

[@TheHikingRev]

That’ll work. 😁

[@musingwithreba9667]

I usually sleep very well when I'm out on trail. It's the fresh air, puts me right to sleep. But then the nocturnal animals and birds start talking about me, plotting my demise, and that sometimes wakes me up. One time I had a red squirrel knocking on my tent to let me know I had pitched up right on top of his stash 😂 one other night I am pretty sure there was a porcupine on each side of my tent, sniffing and snorting, wondering how to get in. I just lied there very still, so as not to startle them and get my tent full of quills! 😲😂

[@TheHikingRev]

Reba…it’s a wonder we get any sleep in the outdoors. 😁

[@musingwithreba9667]

@TheHikingRev I know, eh! 🤣

[@MarmaladeOutdoors]

Good job Rev, especially like that pillow and pee jug you use! Brilliant!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks, my friend. 😁

[@peterjohnson6273]

Always good, Rev. Thanks.

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome. 😁

[@debhanzlik540]

Great tips thank you Rev 😊

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome Deb. 😁

[@53nd4k]

You called it, Rev. The first fatal mountain lion attack in decades occurred in northern California this past weekend. Clearly details will emerge as there was a survivor to the attack as well. Very sad story, but it is good for everyone to stay aware and give wildlife as wide a berth as possible.

[@TheHikingRev]

That’s the truth. I saw that recently. 😁

[@thomasheaney2087]

Thank you Rev

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re quite welcome, Thomas.😁

[@simonpackham5780]

Great advice as ever - thank you

[@TheHikingRev]

Thank you, Simon.😁

[@charlesperry1051]

Great recommendations. Getting a good pillow, and figuring out the right amount of inflation, really changed my trail sleep quality!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Charles. Me too! 😁

[@Awomaninthewilderness]

Excellent information Rev, thank you for all the tips!

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re quite welcome. 😁

[@charliehicks2554]

Thanks Rev, it amazes me that when I get to camp after a hard day of hiking, how long it takes for me to fall asleep. Sounds counterintuitive, but I usually takes a while to nod off. Not sure why. Good Video today.

[@TheHikingRev]

Perhaps it’s hard to “wind down.” 🤷

[@sueg.k.6377]

Great tips! And thanks for the links to the gear you use.

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome. 😁

[@user-bt5lj5pr4q]

Thank you for all of your suggestions and tips. I wright them down so I can remember them

[@TheHikingRev]

Great! 😁

[@gabriele1975]

Yes on the earplugs. Never camp without them.

[@TheHikingRev]

Hey Gabriele. Earplugs=life changer. 😁

[@markfletcher8084]

Always good advice.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Mark. 😁

[@Desertkns60]

Thank you for this, it is timely and has been a challenge in the past.😊

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re quite welcome. 😁

[@charleseberson9191]

Hey Rev, My wife and I are FAITHful followers of your channel. She is embarking on an AT thru hike shortly and at 67 years young, I am so proud of her. She is questioning her starting out with four days of food weighing in at 4.5 pounds bringing her backpack weight up to 29 lbs. Her weight is 132 lbs. Your thoughts.

[@TheHikingRev]

Sounds pretty good. The general rule is “2 lbs of food per day.” What ever she doesn’t use in a week, send it back home. 😁

[@rowanmulvey8632]

I find it to be helpful if I can elevate my legs and feet a bit when I'm having a mid day rest. I use my backpack for this if nothing else is easily available.

[@TheHikingRev]

Great ideas! 😁

[@TheRealJohnMadden]

I'm not too afraid of nature, I know that nothing is really out there to get me, but damn, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of people. There's a lot of whackos out there and I know it's rare to come across them on the trail, but whenever I hear footsteps that I can tell are almost human in nature, my hair stands right up.

[@samueljlarson]

Great tips! Sub'd! Sometimes I will take a photo (or a few) of the campsite and surrounding area if I forget where certain landmarks/obstacles are after dark and need to get up for some reason. Also, I stow a headlamp with my tent so that when I get to camp and open my tent bag, it's the first thing I see and I can put it on and not waste time searching for it.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Samuel 😁. Great ideas.

[@georgemorrison1888]

Absolutely have trouble sleeping on the trail. Especially the first couple nights. You provided a couple of great tips , things I had not thought of like deflating the pad. Can't wait to try them out.

[@TheHikingRev]

Great. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😁

[@justgivemethetruth]

Always like to check in when I see one of your videos. Glad that it looks like you got over your heart thing OK.

[@TheHikingRev]

So far so good. 😁

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

Great tips! TY!

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re quite welcome Sherrie. 😁

[@yolandarocha4900]

Thank you for the great tips 👍🏽👍🏽

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome Yolanda. 😁

[@behindenemylines9033]

Morning Rev, good advice and I always look forward to your videos. I don't have difficulty falling asleep per se, but staying asleep much more than 4 -6 hours or so. I've been like that for years, on the trail or off. Good day Rev!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. 😁

[@Karen-dq8nw]

When I travel I find it hard to fall asleep. But when I'm hiking, by the time I hit the sleeping bag, I'm exhausted! I have to stretch a bit to relax, and then I'm out cold. I sleep better in my tent than just about anywhere else. I love the nature noises - owls, frogs, insects, other night birds. A sprinkle of rain, or even a steady drizzle. Just love it.

[@TheHikingRev]

Me too! 😁

[@tomconway8881]

Good video. Thanks.

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re quite welcome, Tom.😁

[@josiebones1]

Great tips as usual Rev. Have you done a video on the foods you eat while on the hoof? Eating while hiking is something I'm interested in to get more miles out of the day or at least make food on trail less complicated.

[@TheHikingRev]

Josie…I’m going to do a video soon on that very subject! Most hikers are more interested in the food they eat on trail and camping than they are about why they’re out there in the first place…TO HIKE! 😁

[@Lennen-N-Motion]

Excellent advice Rev. Your videos are well done, educational and inspirational. Like you a good night sleep is important to me. I also use the Gossamer Gear foam pad and an air mattress, however, I like my Gossamer pad on top of my air mattress. I helps keep out the ground cold, but for me I like the feel of the pad as opposed to the feeling of the air mattresses. I do bring eye covering to help going to sleep while still daylight and ear plugs as well, although I’m typically the one snoring. I just started laying my tent out, flat on the ground, and lying on it to feel the slope of the ground. Sleeping on ANY slope or angle is terrible. And a pee bottle, yeah, that’s a must. I hope you are doing well and I hope to run into you one day on trail. Take care.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. Please greet me if you see me on trail. That’s a good idea! 😁

[@donrobinson5540]

Earplugs are a must in shelters.

[@TheHikingRev]

You are so right. 😁

[@mikesalasek3603]

Good info! Living in Colorado, I find myself above 10,000 ft at the end of the day, on most trips. I recently found using a FLEXTAIL GEAR mini pump, @94 grams more enjoyable than huffing and puffing when I am already tired. They even have a built-in lamp you can use for reading in the tent. I never have a problem sleeping after a long day on trail.

[@TheHikingRev]

Good for you Mike. 😁

[@marykwart9331]

I sleep for 4 hours max at one time so I go to sleep between 10 and midnite. I listen to books on tape and downloaded stuff on KZbin. Also, the more miles I hike the more hyped I am at the end of the day. I just don't get tired.

[@TheHikingRev]

Good for you, Mary. Wish I was like you.😁

[@EnlightenedEquipment]

Enigma for the win 😁

[@TheHikingRev]

Love my Enlightened Equipment Enigma. 🥰

[@Mike-vd2qt]

My three best ever: on Catalina Island waking up to Buffalo standing next to my tent; in the Trinity Mountains deer passing through camp and just standing there; Eastern Sierras on a bright night and the shadow of a bear snuffling past. A buddy of mine camps with a pee bottle, but I'm not keen on that idea. Besides, when I get up in the night, might see a shooting star or the Milky Way. Nice video, thanks! I might switch out my piece of Tyvek for the Gossamer gear pad for a nap throw down or sit pad. I use the Tyvek for a tent doormat, sit pad, lie on piece, gear cover, etc.

[@TheHikingRev]

Hey Mike. Those sound like some great animal encounters. I’m with you on looking at the night sky except when it’s cold and raining. The Gossamer Gear thin light pad was the game changer for me.😁

[@woodywoodhead175]

You know what you say ❤

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Woody. 😁

[@lukeflynn7025]

❤ from 🇮🇪

[@TheHikingRev]

Sláinte, mo chara. 😁🇮🇪

[@outdoorsman1140]

It’s a softly inflated pad but hard pillow for me. The pillow has a bungie to keep it in place on the pad if I move. I lay out an emergency blanket (ultralight and compact when folded) on the floor of the tent before putting anything inside. The folded emergency blanket fits in the bag with my Thermarest. It not only effectively increases the R-value of my pad, but if my arm flops onto the floor, it is not resting directly on the cold ground. This not only reflects heat upwards, but also reflects light, so torches only need to be on the minimum power setting inside the tent because of the reflected light.

[@TheHikingRev]

Great ideas!😁

[@pmm1044]

Yes, less air in pad allows your pad to conform to your body. One thing is std pad widths are too narrow. I bought a wider Klymit pad and shortened it.

[@TheHikingRev]

Great! 😁

[@jcblum1507]

😊😊😊 thanks

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome. 😁

[@georgedumas1851]

Some of my best naps in the Adirondack, when hiking, were up against a big ol’ tree. Now, unfortunately , the fear of ticks and Lyme disease has ruined that peaceful experience.

[@TheHikingRev]

That’s the truth.😁

[@juskojj]

the clothes vs quilt temp rating can be tricky. wearing extra clothes can only bring so much extra warmth compared to extra insulation in a quilt plus extra clothes could end up being heavier than a warmer quilt... for example a 10 deg quilt by EE is only 6oz heavier than a 30 deg quilt from them... doubt you'll find clothing that weighs 6oz and give you an extra 20 deg warmth....

[@TheHikingRev]

My 10 degree quilt is considerable heavier than my 30 degree. Way more than 6 oz. Plus, I don’t bring extra clothes. I’ll just wear, if it’s cold, things I already have with me, ie Puffy, socks, rain pants, beanie, rain jacket. 😁

[@leowolf9258]

Okay Rev, can you talk about Norvirus. Where it comes from and how to avoid this sickness.

[@TheHikingRev]

😂 I’m a self-proclaimed expert on many subjects but Nor virus is not one of them. I just don’t trust the government experts’ response to it.

[@fredreynolds-onefootinfron5919]

Great points Rev...Thank you for sharing. Do you carry Bear Spray? Just curious. Also, where do you keep your Backpack and do you hang your food supply and trash?

[@TheHikingRev]

You’re welcome. Fred. I do not carry bear spray. If I were hiking in Grizzly country, I would. I keep my backpack in the vestibule of my tent. I also keep my food and trash in a Locsak Opsak food storage bag in my backpack. a.co/d/ggrUncF (unless required to carry a bear canister.)

[@peterbedford2610]

I find a solid 10 hours hiking makes me sleep like a stone.

[@TheHikingRev]

Ain’t that the truth. 😁

[@Traveler1965]

I noticed you using a Hyperlite pack. Seemed like white and black one in the videos. Which do you prefer?

[@TheHikingRev]

I love my Hyperlite pack. I’ll probably do a video review on it soon. Hyperlite Unbound 40. 👍

[@dannystricklin225]

where would you suggest I do my 1st over night hike in so. calif.

[@TheHikingRev]

Anywhere on the first 100 miles of the PCT. 😁

[@carolyngreen1673]

I'm 64 and love camping and have been doing it all my life . I'm thinking of trying backpacking but wonder if I'm getting past my prime to start something like this. What do you think.

[@TheHikingRev]

Hey Carolyn. The only thing that will hold you back is your health. Age is just a number. I was 67 years old when I completed the Pacific Crest Trail. 5 1/2 months basically living out of a tent. At the end of May, I’ll be going to Ireland to hike the Ireland Way. You can do it!😁

[@outdoorsman1140]

Now remind me, which one is the pee bottle and which one is the Gatorade? Mustn’t have a senior moment, especially when I haven’t got my glasses on!

[@TheHikingRev]

😂😂😂So true!

[@adamosman7284]

Hello my friend rev the walker

[@TheHikingRev]

Hello Adam. 😁

[@themydnighthour]

U from NC?

[@TheHikingRev]

I live in Northern California, if that’s what you’re asking. I grew up in Mobile, Alabama. 😁

[@PrybarCommando]

TLDR: he says drink 9 or 10 beers before bed for the best night sleep

[@TheHikingRev]

🤔 I don’t know about that!

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

I never sleep very well hiking or camping. My worse night was in an empty campground in Missouri - something canine stalked around my tent all night long growling. Utterly terrifying for me and my then eight-year-old son. I think about it every night while trying to fall asleep in the woods. I use a small rectangle of memory foam from an old mattress as a pillow. Good tips, Rev.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. That’s pretty scary. 😁