[pct-l] Sleepless on the trail

[steve_peterson at sbcglobal.net (Steve Peterson)]

Thanks to all for your suggestions....guess this problem is more widespread than 
I thought....having all these suggestions helped me tease apart the problem a 
little and I think there are really two problems: discomfort (pressure points) 
because I sleep (or try to sleep) on my side and lack of drowsiness.

I've tried all the usual tricks to help with discomfort: good site selection, 
creating shallow depressions for hips, shoulders (and filling them back in in 
the morning), a small, second pad, etc. At this point, I think a thicker 
Thermarest is the next step, even though it means I'll probably have to give up 
my membership in the ultralight club (but we'll see if I can lighten things 
elsewhere enough to stay under ten pounds).

As for the drowsiness side of things, I think (assuming I can't convince the 
woman in my life to thru-hike the PCT with me--but good idea Judson!), I'll try 
some drugs, though the thought of being on drugs for five months doesn't sound 
that great. Maybe once I _start_ sleeping, I'll be able to continue sleeping 
without the drugs.  I also liked the suggestion of warm milk, so I'll try that, 
too.

It looks like I'll have to dream up a hike to do between now and April to test 
all this stuff out :-)

  --Steve