Mattress - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

By chance, is there anyone out there that doesn’t own what we might call a traditional bed(i.e. mattress on some sort of supported structure). The reason I ask is I was thinking if I’m going to consider long hikes or even a thru-hike, I need to be able to be content sleeping on the ground for long periods of time. And if I’m able to do that, then I really should be able to do it at home. So I pulled out my thermarest and sleeping bag and I’m going to try avoiding my bed for the next several days. If all goes well, I’m thinking I might just get rid of it all together and become accustomed to sleeping on the ground. It should be good prep for the trail, no? Comments? Ideas? Am I nuts?

Mad Max

#2

One can also get used to the idea of being hungry by not eating, or get used to the idea of mac-n-cheese by having it every night, or get used to the idea of going without sex (mostly) for 5-6 months by abstaining now…but why? Deprevations and hardships are definitely part of long-distance hiking, but there’s no way to get used to them…not with having grown up in a western country, anyway. Eat, drink, and be content…you’ll depend on the fat reserves later.

Stay in your bed, or at least on the sofa. Better yet, eat cheeseburgers in the comfort of a young vixen’s bed after a night of tiresome Mad Max lovin’. You could also make some time for smoking in bed as well…if that’s your fancy.

Enjoy!

Horn Head

#3

From what I understand, you’ll be so exhausted on the trail after your first week, your body won’t care what you sleep on…you’ll just pass out.

Michele

#4

It’s OK to get use to sleeping on the ground, BUT you still need to carry some sort of sleeping pad. You need something to insulate you from the cold ground, which you probably won’t have inside your house. A closed cell short pad will work OK and weighs about half what a thermarest weighs.

Michele is right, you’ll get use to whatevery you have after the first one or two nights, so the need for getting use to roughing it isn’t really a problem.

Bear Bag Hanger

#5

Boy am I going to mess up this string!

After my thru hike I can’t sleep on a matress! I sleep on the floor all the time now. Flame has just give in and lets me curl up next to the bed. When I’m in a motel I slip the cover off on the floor and sleep.

Mattresses give me a back ache.

If you read the journals, most hikers don’t sleep well the first week or so. Fatigue can actually cause you to loose sleep! But you get use to a sleeping pattern and it all works out down the trail. You learn how much sleep, food, water, snacks, miles and clothes you will need to enjoy your hike. Just hang in there. Have a great hike!

Papa Smurf

#6

Smurf it is relieving to hear someone else say they are fond of the floor! I went to my cousin’s graduation a few weeks ago and had to sleep on the floor and when I woke up, I swore I felt like I had slept really well. But I didn’t know if it was just a fluke so I decided to sleep on my thermarest last night and I slept wonderful. I really think I’m gonna lose the bed. I acquired one of those tempurpedic deals about 6 months ago and now I’m wishing I hadn’t wasted the money. Could have bought gear for the trail instead!

Mad Max

#7

This lady prefers the floor and a sleeping bag to a bed and mattress. Maybe it has something to do with getting closer to the earth. Even in hotels I use a sleeping bag on the bed. However, after weeks/months on the trail, a bed will feel like the height of luxury. The best bed on the trail was a big, cushy, four poster at Elmer’s in Hot Springs, NC.

lost louise

#8

I can sleep on anything.

My only requirement is that I be horizontal.

Conan

Conan