u/guncotton

I need to figure out how to get better sleep when backpacking in the wilderness without adding a ton of weight.

My current setup is:

• Thermarest Neoair Xlite NXT Pad
• Gossamer Gear 1/8" pad
• Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Large Pillow
• REI Magma 15° Bag

I've used this setup on overnights as well as 6 night thru hikes. My sleep quality is terrible and it's effecting my energy levels for the days hike.

I'm a side sleeper, I have broad shoulders. 6 foot tall, about 160lbs.

I toss and turn all night. If I happen to get into a semi comfortable position, it seems to last maybe an hour and then I'm tossing again.

Some problems I've noticed:

• I cant seem to get the air pressure right in the pad and/or pillow. Typically my ideal pad pressure is low enough that when laying on my side, my hip almost touches the ground. If my pillow pressure is too high my ear hurts, but if it's too low my shoulders are too broad and my neck hurts because the pillow isn't tall enough.
• I slide off the pad. I'm constantly trying to stay on the pad all night. I'm already uncomfortable so I toss and turn, thus making the chances of the pad moving around higher. Albeit, it is a pretty narrow pad.
• I get caught up in my sleeping bag. I know it's not possible to spread your legs or really do much with your legs in a mummy style sleeping bag, but my legs seem to get restless when stuck in the same position all night.

What is your sleep kit or a sleep essential/luxury item that you swear helps you get some good sleep? Any tips for me? I'm down to add a bit of weight to make the sleep quality increase, sleep is so important to me while out on the trail so if I have to carry that weight, so be it.

I only have a Durston XMid2, I don't think it will be sufficient for my Rainier attempt in August.

What places rent mountaineering tents? Whittaker does not rent tents. Planning to fly into SEA so anywhere between there and Cougar Rock Campground.

Plan is to camp at Muir and Ingraham Flats.

I assume this is already an issue / is becoming a larger issue, but with the rise of AI video, deepfakes, etc... how is/will photo or video as evidence change in the future? It seems like in the not too distant future, a photo or video would be completely inadmissible as any sort of evidence of anything. We are already arriving at the point where it's getting hard to trust any photo or video seen online.

My availability is June 23-June 30.

Looking for advice on multi day hikes within probably a half day/day drive of Milan (will be flying into and out of here).

Have been looking into sections of the Tour de Mont Blanc and the Alta Via 1. I don't think I'd have time to do either of them fully. Any other not to be missed multi-day hikes you can do in this timeframe?

I do have experience backpacking. I've done multi-day trips in the Sierra Nevada, up to 50 miles, 8-10 miles a day, with 2-3k feet of elevation gain per day.

I also have rock climbing/mountaineering experience so may split some time up with exploring some of that (or via ferrata) - there will be 2 of us so I'll have a partner. Not leaving out the possibility of a Matterhorn ascent (albeit a bit early season). It sounds like summiting Mont Blanc is a bit harder to do on short notice with hut reservations being required but sold out.

Any advice on hikes/backpacking in this area given time of year and timeframe would be greatly appreciated.

Debating on renting a campervan or just a car and staying in hotels.

Pros and cons of each? Are there easy places to wild camp while touring the Dolomites? Ideally in nature?

We have RV'd before so are aware of the feeling of being in a van/RV for days and what all is involved with that.

We will be doing a lot of hiking, rock climbing, and via ferrata.