Australia & New Zealand Outdoor Adventure Forum

I realised the necessity of eye shut during one of my first climbs. Having always a difficult time sleeping, it wasn't easy for me to sleep during the needed hours.

While the rest of the group members slept in a wink I kept tossing and tuening till late hours resulting in a very tired me when we had to cover a steep patch at night.

It was a tough climb for me as the cold thin air, drowsiness and heavy backpack made the situatiin worse. I found many people including myself dozing off after few steps. You could literally see a trail of dark silhoutte hunched on their sticks as they doze off between the climb. I will never forget that incident.

Lucky are those who can sleep as they wish.

I wonder in what country, area and altitude you were climbing or what was the distance that you covered. I have been though number of climbing experiences in different areas including in Leh and Ladakh which were of shorter distances as well which took us almost 3-4 days. I still remember one of my most memorable experience while trekking and camping in Stok Kangri in Indus Valley in Ladakh area with a group. The trekking tour lasted for 8 days and we were able to cover only 6-7 km a day due to very difficult climbing conditions at high altitude. Incidentally we were so tired that we felt no problem in sleeping during the entire duration of the tour.

I always have a difficulty in sleeping at any new place away from home. This is the reason I complete all my trips with a heavy head. But this is a problem which I cannot sort till date. I really wish someone comes up with a proper solution.

DR KOKIL AGARWAL wrote:I always have a difficulty in sleeping at any new place away from home. This is the reason I complete all my trips with a heavy head. But this is a problem which I cannot sort till date. I really wish someone comes up with a proper solution.

I have the same problem. I mean I can sleep alright but I the timings aren't as wished. The sleep may not come instantly and hours may be wasted seeking it.

Now that, is not something you need for a climb of a week. Such climbs need to be crisp with your timetable.

The same thing during camping or hiking, I cannot sleep properly when there is an activity. My mind is transfixed on the upcoming hike and especially the climb which is more challenging than simple camping. But I got used to the lack of sleep such that when the actual activity commences, I feel a bit drowsy but still with faculties intact. And although my strength is not 100% but I'm still able to cope with the activity.

This sleeping problem is very common in my family as everytime we travel to a new place especially if it's a different time zone it is difficult to sleep when we have to. It is tough as during the day we are so tired that we don't fully enjoy our full day of exploring. I feel like it is even more dangerous if I were climbing.

Sleeping will certainly be the last thing for me to do while I am engage in a climb exercise. One thing whenever I am doing any form of active sport or exercise I hardly go dizzy talk less of sleeping, my attention is focused on the task ahead. If one sleeps during climbing then a fall is certainly going to happen.

I think it is good to take a nap whenever you are going through a hard workout. It will increase your metabolism and your muscles would take some rest. Sometimes I feel like I am dull while climbing and I figured out that it was because of this that I was not taking the proper rest.

I think that I would be as nervous I have ever been if I was forced to do this. I am not the greatest with heights so this is just no my cup of tea, at least not at the moment.

Having adequate sleep during climbs is very essential. It ensures that your body gets prepared well for the climb. I would suggest that if you know you have insomnia you get the necessary pills to enable you to get sleep. The last thing you would want during a climb is fatigue and being sleepy. This is because climbing requires some level of alertness.