Adventures

The warmer weather and longer days have me looking forward to spending time outside over the next several months. Spring is my favorite time to hike around Los Angeles before the summer heat sweeps in.

My mind is on planning trips and I'm reminding myself that nighttime temperatures can still be downright frigid this time of year. I've made the mistake (multiple times) of eagerly heading out for camping trips in early spring only to find snow patches and freezing temps, causing me to pack up and head home at least once.

I've put together a blog post for choosing the right sleeping pad to stay insulated for the specific weather you'll be experiencing on your trip. Hopefully it's a helpful guide for you and a reminder to me that it's not yet time to ditch my well-insulated sleep system.

If you're not familiar with R-values, they're the measuring scale we use to tell us well a material resists heat flow. When it comes to sleeping pads, this means a higher R-value will keep you warm better while a lower R-value will keep you cooler on warm nights. Choosing the right sleeping pad for your trip can make or break your ability to sleep soundly.

Here are my recommendations for R-values based on the nighttime temperatures you'll experience:

R-value 1.0-2.5 = 40°F and above
R-value 2.6-4.0 = 25°F to 40°F
R-value 4.1-5.9 = 0°F to 25°F
R-value 6.0+ = 0°F and below

Choosing the right sleeping pad involves evaluating several factors beyond just the R-value. Here are key aspects to consider:

Thickness: Thicker pads often offer more comfort and insulation. However, thicker pads are usually bulkier, so think about the balance between comfort and space in your pack.
Material: Durability matters, especially on rugged terrains. Common materials include closed-cell foam, which is lightweight and waterproof, and air-filled pads, which are compact but need care.
Weight and Size: Weight is crucial for backpackers. A lightweight pad weighing around 1 pound can make a significant difference on a long hike.
Shape: Sleeping pads come in rectangular and tapered shapes. Tapered pads are lighter but may restrict movement. If you like to change positions while sleeping, a rectangular pad may be better for you.
Inflation Method: Sleeping pads can be self-inflating, air-inflating, or made of foam. Self-inflating pads are convenient, but you may need to pump them up further, while air pads often require manual inflation after rolling them out.
Price: Opting for quality is crucial. A sleeping pad can cost anywhere from $30 to over $200, depending on its features. Be sure to check reviews and make sure you're purchasing a sleeping pad that will last you many trips.

For a solid three-season sleeping pad, I recommend checking out the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad with an R-value of 3.2 If you're looking for a sleeping pad to keep you warm throughout the winter, the NEMO All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad (R-value of 5.4) has you covered.

I'm a big fan of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad (R-value of 4.5 and just 13 ounces), but many complain about the crinkly sound it makes. If you're a deep sleeper like I am, this is a great and lightweight option. 🪶

Are you starting to feel the excitement of outdoor season? I'd love to know what trips you have planned!

& S'more

I want to expand on the idea I brought up last week around being in a state of waiting for something to happen. This topic has shown up a couple times in conversations and books over the week and I've realized what I was referring to is called the arrival fallacy.

The arrival fallacy is that pesky cycle of believing we'll finally be happy when we've achieved X, only to find that once we've achieved X, the goalpost has now been moved to Y. Achieving any goal typically involves short-lived or nonexistent happiness, quickly followed by the realization we now have a new goal. It's an endless hamster wheel.

While there's nothing wrong with having goals -- in fact, I think it's great -- it can become discouraging to feel like we're always striving for the next big thing. This constant striving was an advantageous behavior to our ancestors, who wouldn't have survived if they were completely satisfied and stopped hunting after finding a meal.

In modern times, this evolutionary quirk has made it difficult for us to find sustained happiness in a world where we don't need to be constantly fighting to survive. There are a few ways we can escape from the arrival fallacy and that dreaded feeling of always waiting.

Practice Gratitude - This is the biggest antidote to dissatisfaction that I have found. I keep a five-year journal where I write a few lines, including at least one thing I was thankful for from that day.
Prioritize Progress Over Completion - When setting goals, I'm all about the journey instead of the destination. Rather than choosing an end result, I'll set my goal to make progress or maintain a habit each day. For example, editing videos for at least one hour a day instead of trying to hit a certain subscriber count.
Focus on the Present - The arrival fallacy occurs because we're so preoccupied with how much better we'll feel once we've reached some future point. Avoiding that trap is as simple as focusing on the present moment and what we have here and now.

The beginning of spring is always a time when I try to notice the little changes

I've been reminding myself that I have everything and need and then some! I always want to be progressing in life, but that shouldn't take away from the happiness I feel around being housed, fed, clothed, and generally content with where I am :)

This has been and will continue to be a challenge for me, probably throughout my entire life (thanks, monkey brain). At least being aware of this habit makes it possible to step out of that mental loop and start enjoying life as it is.

Let me know if you've caught yourself in that loop. I'd love to chat!

Lastly, I've been loving this trend on Instagram where people envision themselves in old age being transported back to their current lives. Here's an example from Rachel Pohl where she takes us through the journey of celebrating her capable body, savoring time with loved ones, and even finding joy in life's imperfections.

That's the kind of energy I want to bring to my world every day :)

Thank you for reading and I'll catch you in the next one ✌🏻

Happy adventuring,

💚A