nap was on the summit of Mt. Silverheels during a late fall solo hike of the mountain. Such a great feeling to be so tired to be able to fall asleep right away!
My best Summit Nap was on the top of South Sisters in Central, OR. USA. I slept
for about a hour. Everyone in camp was not very happy when, I finally came off the
summit. They had been waiting to pack-up camp.
I just strogged them off, because, I knew deep inside that was the best hour I have ever spent on a Summit.
...the 3rd major obstacle to summit napping. That's when it gets sooo comfortable that you wake up "five minutes later," and find that the sun is going down (or already down!), it's getting good and cold, and you're a long ways from the trailhead! I have an alarm on my wristwatch, but the truth is, it isn't nearly loud enough!
I totally agree. I had been doing this for quite a few years. I a like insomniac a lot of the times. But mountains are one nice and peaceful place for me. Being a very light sleeper those 15 min naps does wonders for few weeks.
How do you nap through all the climbers coming and going when you're on a summit like the Grand? Maybe "do not disturb" stenciled on your helmets would help.
My nicest summit nap was actually on Buck Mtn, a few peaks south of there and much more secluded. Not nearly as heroic a nap, but the view was nice, and no one tripped over us.
The top of Aneroid Peak has excellent napping characteristics - room for at least two, excellent view (when it's out) and often quite mild weather. Once napped there for two hours waiting for the fog to lift - never happened. In fact, had to climb Aneroid three times to finally get the view.
I can always get comfortable on scree or larger rocks. It's all in the wriggle, I make sure my body parts "flow" between rubble.
I can do "power naps" anywhere. I'll zonk right out for 5 minutes and wake up refreshed.
In my profile picture here, I'm standing up. Well a minute before, I was snuggled on the rubble you see at my feet. A perfect day for a fresh-air nap.
One of the greatest aspects of this sport is how it helps you to connect with the natural world. I'm sure one of the best ways of doing that is to take a nap on the summit of your favorite mountain, with all of the sights and sounds associated with it. Great article!
Summit naps are the best! I usually shoot for a 20 minute nap. Somehow I feel massively invigorated after that. If the weather (and daylight) permit, I've napped as long as an hour. And I've even napped in snowstorms, knowing that it was going to clear in a half hour or so. Extra clothes help.
My biggest obstacle has always been other people. :)
I do love a good summit nap. Sometimes if a spot isn't available there I may find one just below . Well actually it finds me. Maybe we just pause for a drink but then there it is...my rock. My husband finds it quite amusing at this point. He knows when I find my rock to just leave me for 10 minutes, I'm super happy perched there on what must be the most comfortable piece of lumpy rock in the sunshine. There are literally pictures from all of our climbs of me in the nap zone.
Eric Holle - May 17, 2007 11:58 pm - Hasn't voted
My favoritenap was on the summit of Mt. Silverheels during a late fall solo hike of the mountain. Such a great feeling to be so tired to be able to fall asleep right away!
marlonwarren - May 18, 2007 1:17 pm - Voted 10/10
South Sisters Summit NapMy best Summit Nap was on the top of South Sisters in Central, OR. USA. I slept
for about a hour. Everyone in camp was not very happy when, I finally came off the
summit. They had been waiting to pack-up camp.
I just strogged them off, because, I knew deep inside that was the best hour I have ever spent on a Summit.
Cheers
marlon.
cftbq - May 18, 2007 10:16 pm - Hasn't voted
You forgot......the 3rd major obstacle to summit napping. That's when it gets sooo comfortable that you wake up "five minutes later," and find that the sun is going down (or already down!), it's getting good and cold, and you're a long ways from the trailhead! I have an alarm on my wristwatch, but the truth is, it isn't nearly loud enough!
hikinedd - May 23, 2007 4:51 pm - Hasn't voted
Groggy'fraid I'm not the type who feels refreshed after a nap; I get groggy and sluggish -- not the ideal state for a descent.
veeral - May 24, 2007 12:13 pm - Hasn't voted
At times my sole purpose of climbingI totally agree. I had been doing this for quite a few years. I a like insomniac a lot of the times. But mountains are one nice and peaceful place for me. Being a very light sleeper those 15 min naps does wonders for few weeks.
paulraphael - May 25, 2007 1:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Do Not DisturbHow do you nap through all the climbers coming and going when you're on a summit like the Grand? Maybe "do not disturb" stenciled on your helmets would help.
My nicest summit nap was actually on Buck Mtn, a few peaks south of there and much more secluded. Not nearly as heroic a nap, but the view was nice, and no one tripped over us.
rhaley - May 28, 2007 10:19 am - Hasn't voted
Best napping in E. OregonThe top of Aneroid Peak has excellent napping characteristics - room for at least two, excellent view (when it's out) and often quite mild weather. Once napped there for two hours waiting for the fog to lift - never happened. In fact, had to climb Aneroid three times to finally get the view.
Just watch out for the killer lady bugs.
TQW - Jul 3, 2007 10:00 pm - Voted 10/10
It was suggested...that I add this picture here....
http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=296656
dan2see - Jul 24, 2007 1:58 am - Hasn't voted
It's a useful skillI can always get comfortable on scree or larger rocks. It's all in the wriggle, I make sure my body parts "flow" between rubble.
I can do "power naps" anywhere. I'll zonk right out for 5 minutes and wake up refreshed.
In my profile picture here, I'm standing up. Well a minute before, I was snuggled on the rubble you see at my feet. A perfect day for a fresh-air nap.
Judd97 - Dec 7, 2007 12:56 am - Voted 10/10
Great Article!One of the greatest aspects of this sport is how it helps you to connect with the natural world. I'm sure one of the best ways of doing that is to take a nap on the summit of your favorite mountain, with all of the sights and sounds associated with it. Great article!
GerryS - Dec 4, 2013 10:34 pm - Voted 10/10
Watch your bite valveLove summit power naps. On South Maroon, I slept on the bite valve of my hydration. Woke up wet and out of water. Don't do that.
Jeremy Hakes - Dec 14, 2013 1:21 pm - Voted 10/10
THE reason to climb!Summit naps are the best! I usually shoot for a 20 minute nap. Somehow I feel massively invigorated after that. If the weather (and daylight) permit, I've napped as long as an hour. And I've even napped in snowstorms, knowing that it was going to clear in a half hour or so. Extra clothes help.
My biggest obstacle has always been other people. :)
NW - Dec 21, 2013 11:54 am - Voted 10/10
One of my favorite parts!I do love a good summit nap. Sometimes if a spot isn't available there I may find one just below . Well actually it finds me. Maybe we just pause for a drink but then there it is...my rock. My husband finds it quite amusing at this point. He knows when I find my rock to just leave me for 10 minutes, I'm super happy perched there on what must be the most comfortable piece of lumpy rock in the sunshine. There are literally pictures from all of our climbs of me in the nap zone.