100 Nights Out – Unforgettable Experience
100 nights out was a challenge, which inspired people to sleep 100 nights outdoors within a year. Last summer, I set myself on a slightly modified challenge: sleeping 100 consecutive nights outdoors.
100 nights is a bit over three months, during which I traded the comforts of a soft bed for the nights spent in fresh air, in a hammock or in a tent.
From my backyard in Turku to the remote islands of the archipelago, this journey became more than just a test of endurance. It showed me that it is possible to have a connection with nature, even if you are in a city.
Why Take On The Challenge?
The idea started as a spark of curiosity. I’ve always loved the outdoors and found that sleeping outside allowed me to sleep more soundly. The fresh air, the sounds of the night, and the closeness to nature help me sleep better and wake up refreshed.
The previous summers, I had slept outdoors for over 50 nights each summer. They were not consecutive nights though. The first summer I slept over 50 nights outdoors, was when I was going through chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
What I imagined was going to be one of the toughest periods in my life, turned out to be one of the best periods of my life. It was because I got to be out in nature so much. Nature is the best therapy!
You might be interested in how I lived back then: How to live in a tent – my experiences
These past good experiences made me think: What if I could make sleeping out part of my daily life? And from this point, I ended up with 100 nights out challenge!
Timing The Challenge
Hundred nights is a bit over three months. The summer in Finland lasts about three months (if we are lucky, haha).
I thought it would be suitable to finnish the challenge on the Day of the Finnish Nature, which is an official flagging day in Finland, and it is always on the last weekend of August. That happened to be also the last day of August.
I counted back 100 nights, and the starting date was 24th of May.
The Journey Begins
I started the challenge in my cabin in Kökar. I arrived late at night, so it was easiest to set the hammock under a sheltered terrace, where I then slept the first night. The next day I moved the hammock into hazelnut bushes, where I slept 51 nights altogether.
The other regular place was my garden in Turku, in the city. I prefer sleeping in a hammock, so I spent a good hour trying to figure out where to set it up in my garden.
Only a couple of years earlier, I had some big trees cut from my garden, which I sort of regretted now.
I wasn’t able to find a good spot for the hammock, so instead, I used my tent there. Determined to make it cosy, I brought a mattress from the house and added some extra comforts: a pillow and a warm blanket.
As the weeks went on, my sleeping spots became more adventurous. I ventured into the archipelago on kayaking trips, sleeping on smooth cliffs right by the sea.
These nights felt especially magical, as they always do. It is something special to camp right by sea in a little island, all by yourself. In the pictures below are some of the most spectacular spots during my challenge.
The Challenges
Of course, a challenge of this magnitude came with its difficulties. The biggest hurdle was logistical: where could I sleep if I travelled? I couldn’t travel during the night either.
Every trip required careful planning to ensure I had a safe and legal place to set up for the night. This sometimes meant settling for less-than-ideal spots.
One of the most scaring moments came during a thunderstorm. My daughter was visiting me in Kökar and she and her friend had set up their hammocks under some trees at the camping site.
In the morning, the storm rolled in, lightning struck a tree—only 3 meters away from my daughter and her friend!
I was at my cabin and the struck was so loud even there, 2 kilometers away! I was thinking that wow that was close, but little did I know how close!
The sound of the lighting struck had been so loud that it deafened the girls for a while. Thankfully, they were unhurt, but it was a reminder of the unpredictability and power of nature.
Thunderstorms are something to think about when you sleep in a hammock. We got loads of good advice not to stay under a tree while a storm, and so on.
Anyway, this happened early in the morning, while the girls had just woken up. Sometimes accidents happen no matter how careful you are.
In the picture you can see the tree where the lighting struck behind the hammock. Bits of the tree flew many meters away.
You might also want to read this: Camping in Kökar – Sandvik Marina & Camping
Sharing some of these nights with my daughter added another layer of meaning to the experience. She joined me in her hammock on couple occasions, and together we created memories that will last a lifetime. I will certainly remember that lightning struck forever!
A Northern Lights Surprice
One of the most unforgettable moments of the challenge came in August while I was at my summer cabin.
At night I was heading to my hammock, going to bed, when I looked up into the sky. Vibrant greens and purples lit up the darkness as the northern lights unfolded in a breathtaking display.
I stayed up for hours, mesmerized by the spectacle, feeling grateful for the chance to witness such a natural wonder.
Had I been sleeping indoors, I would have missed this experience. In the picture on the right, is a view from my hammock when I was going to bed. Not bad, huh!
Going Retro
One night during the challenge, I decided to test a piece of camping history: a retro tent from the 1960s. The tent has belonged to my mother, and it has served her on many scout camps and also on a motorbike tour.
The tent is a small, triangular structure made of thick, heavy canvas. As I set it up, I couldn’t help but wonder how on earth two people had ever shared this tiny space—it was barely large enough for me alone.
The interior was snug, to say the least. Crawling inside, I felt like I was stepping back in time, imagining campers from decades ago, perhaps on their own outdoor adventures.
The canvas material gave it a unique smell, a mix of nostalgia and the outdoors, and its sturdiness was impressive despite its age.
It lacked the convenience of modern tents—no lightweight poles or easy zippers here—but it had a certain charm that made the experience special.
The tent got me thinking on how camping gear has evolved. More than anything, it made me admire the campers of that era. They must have had guts—braving the outdoors with far fewer conveniences than we enjoy today.
Holiday Trip
During the challenge, I went with my husband on a week-long road trip to Norway and Sweden. I wanted to visit the Swedish west coast, which I heard is cute with gorgeous landscapes.
My challenge set some limits for the holiday. First, we couldn’t stay in hotels! So camping it was! Second, we couldn’t travel by ferry during the night, because I don’t think they would have let me sleep on the deck.
With good planning, the holiday went smoothly. Only that it rained every day during the trip, which we didn’t plan! At one point towards the end of the week, every item of clothing I had was damp! Weather wasn’t ideal, but the trip was a lot of fun.
Lessons Learned
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from this challenge was the realisation of how little I truly need to feel content. A hammock or a tent, a sleeping bag, and a starry sky were enough to create a sense of luxury that no five-star hotel could replicate for me.
I saw so many beautiful and unexpected things while sleeping outdoors.
One night as I was getting to my hammock, I saw something moving in the grass. When I focused my torch on it, I saw a massive toad! I didn’t even know there were toads anywhere near my cabin garden.
I also saw some spectacular sunsets with colours you couldn’t believe existed in nature! Not to mention the glimmer of full moon on the sea in front of the tent. These are the experiences I carry with me into the dark winter nights.
Despite the challenges, the experience came with many rewards. Every morning felt like a gift, waking up to bird songs and the smell of fresh air.
Although I discovered some diversity of my outdoor sleeping spots, I ended up sleeping in my gardens more than I originally planned.
Statistics:
Of the hundred nights, I slept
- 52 nights in a hammock
- 48 nights in a tent
- in 3 countries
- in 21 locations, of which 15 were one-night stays
I used
- 1 hammock
- 4 tents
- 2 sleeping bags
- one sleeping pad
- one air mattress
- one foam mattress
I pitched the tent 28 times and hammock three times.
The Hundredth Night
The hundredth night of my challenge was a memorable one, spent with two friends, Annukka and Kati. We know each other through work and have shared a few camping adventures in the past.
This time, we set our sights on Teijo National Park. While it’s not by the sea, our campsite nestled by a little lake offered its own kind of magic.
The weather, however, was not on our side. Rain began shortly after we arrived and continued steadily through the night. It wasn’t ideal, but it turned into a perfect test of our tarps and outdoor skills. Despite the downpour, we all stayed dry and warm.
Usually, I go camping alone, so sharing the milestone night with friends was a nice change. We exchanged stories, laughed at past camping mishaps, and enjoyed the camaraderie that only comes from shared experiences in nature.
Knowing I’d be sleeping indoors the next night added a layer of reflection to the evening. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment—100 nights outdoors, no matter the weather or location, is no small feat.
What did I feel in the morning? Surprisingly, it wasn’t anything dramatic. My body had adapted to outdoor living, and I realized just how much I had gained from this journey.
Later that evening, climbing into a bed indoors felt strangely foreign. The lack of fresh air, the absence of the night sky—it all reminded me how much I had come to value the simplicity and beauty of sleeping outside.
Would I Do It Again?
As the 100th night approached, I felt a bittersweet mix of pride and nostalgia. Completing the challenge was deeply satisfying, but it also marked the end of an incredible chapter—and the end of the summer, which is always a little sad.
Would I do it again? Yes, why not! Actually, in the future, I will try to sleep as much outdoors as I can, but I won’t set a challenge of any particular number of nights or consecutive nights.
Tips For Aspiring Outdoor Sleepers
If this story inspires you to try your own outdoor sleeping adventure, here are some tips to get started:
- Start small: Begin in your backyard or a nearby campsite to get used to the experience.
- Invest in good gear: A comfortable hammock or tent and a quality sleeping bag and pad can make all the difference.
- Check the weather: Be prepared for rain, wind, and varying temperatures.
- Plan your spots: Research legal and safe places to sleep, especially if traveling.
- Embrace the experience: Focus on the beauty of nature and let go of small discomforts.
Whether it’s one night or one hundred, sleeping under the stars is a transformative experience that I’d recommend to anyone. So grab your hammock, step outside, and see where the night takes you!
