Very interesting. Frequently when I tell people I go solo camping, they inevitably ask me questions about what is the hardest part. Frequently I tell them it is the first night when I try to go to sleep, getting used to the different sounds and wind play. More often then not I don't get a sound sleep as I am semi-conscious the whole night.

Well, scientists at Brown University studied this and found the "first night effect." Apparently the left side of the brain stayed more alert during the study in conjunction with the right ear being more aware as well when the subject is supposed to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings.

Thought this was interesting to post for all of us campers.
Half Your Brain Stands Guard

On solos I used to assume I would have a hard time sleeping, esp the first night. I always paddle and portage all day long at a slow and steady pace so am pretty beat by bedtime. I actually sleep like a log. Even when I have heard animals in the campsite or during storms. Partly being tired and partly just being able to shut my mind off and let my worries go. It’s great!

I used to travel for work, so most nights was a new motel. I always looked forward to being in a town for a few days, so I'd have 2/3/4/5/6 nights in the same motel and could sleep well after the first night.

I travel for work. Multiple cities per week. So I only get to stay one night per city. And I never get good sleep. This explains a lot. Thanks for sharing.

Ah, interesting, but it begs the question “how many nights must one spend in the woods before it’s not new?

My first few solo trips,I was constantly hearing all sorts of noises in the dark. Now things are very different for me. I usually end up exhausted my last day at home packing and have a fitful night sleep thinking about any last minute issues. After getting early, driving up, hauling too much gear over portages and paddling, I’m spent by the time I get to camp. I now usually sleep very soundly on night one, and sometimes for 9-10 hours.

Jaywalker: "Ah, interesting, but it begs the question “how many nights must one spend in the woods before it’s not new?


My first few solo trips,I was constantly hearing all sorts of noises in the dark. Now things are very different for me. I usually end up exhausted my last day at home packing and have a fitful night sleep thinking about any last minute issues. After getting early, driving up, hauling too much gear over portages and paddling, I’m spent by the time I get to camp. I now usually sleep very soundly on night one, and sometimes for 9-10 hours. "

This is how I was and have become over time. First solo trip, first night, was a little freaky. After that, I slept like a log. I have found in the last several years that I sleep better on solo BWCA trips than anywhere else, to include my own bed at home.

I travel a lot for work, also, and I used to suffer from poor sleep the first night. Not as common anymore as travel becomes more frequent.

Mike

GraniteCliffs: "On solos I used to assume I would have a hard time sleeping, esp the first night. I always paddle and portage all day long at a slow and steady pace so am pretty beat by bedtime. I actually sleep like a log. Even when I have heard animals in the campsite or during storms. Partly being tired and partly just being able to shut my mind off and let my worries go. It’s great!"

+1

I’m always so stoked to go that I push hard from excitement. I’m so pooped by bedtime that I don’t even think about anything but sweet dreams. I’ve been woke in the night by even bear and I’m like “eh” and back to sleep I go. Now I dream of being able to sleep like that in my own bed!?

That explains why I would sleep lightly the first night and hear every little noise.

I believe with age the left side of my brain that stands guard has gotten lazy. Now when I hear a strange noise or sense something is wrong it says “I’ve had a good run for 63 years so I don’t care and I’m going back to sleep now”.

GraniteCliffs: "On solos I used to assume I would have a hard time sleeping, esp the first night. I always paddle and portage all day long at a slow and steady pace so am pretty beat by bedtime. I actually sleep like a log. Even when I have heard animals in the campsite or during storms. Partly being tired and partly just being able to shut my mind off and let my worries go. It’s great!"

This is me exactly.

That's really interesting. The sleeping for me has always been easy on solo trips, what I've never gotten good at is the down time. I don't know what to do with myself just sitting in a campsite solo and I get restless. My solo trips tend to involve really long hours (even if I don't cover crazy miles) because I find that I prefer being out and about to sitting in camp. I definitely prefer the group trips more as there is something to the shared experience that I miss on solo trips.

I used to experience the "first night effect" but no more. My hearing has declined so much that once my hearing devices are taken off for the night I am mostly deaf so I don't concern myself with night noises I can't hear.

I did two short solos last summer, and for some reason I was really unnerved by the nighttime and never really slept well. I've done solos before and have not had this problem. My concern was bear related. Interestingly, I live on the edge of a large city park in Duluth (660 acres) and over the course of the spring and summer I saw a bear five or six times at relatively close range in generally the same spot (within a quarter mile). I think these encounters put the notion in my head that there was a bear lurking behind every tree.

Anyway, it was frustrating to be lying awake, alert for any noises, and full of angst when I'd never had that experience before. Something I'm going to have to figure out to keep soloing.

Yep, I buy it. The first night out of my "sleeping routine" is always different. Even if I'm home and my wife's out of town...it's just different and sleeping doesn't keep my brain from knowing it, doesn't matter how exhausted I am....