Yes!!!! so glad it's happening for y'all. I knew if I drank my mountain coffee out of my LeConte mug, wore my lodge shirts/sweatshirts, and played my mountain music (since Monday) in your honor...the airlift was bound to happen!

That's Leconte Lodge definitely. The camera angle I suppose makes that building look relatively big. Looks like three solar panels on the one structure or skylights {I can't remember from being there} and a solar panel on that lower building; other than the helicopter, the only signs of technology. Glad to see the photo and realize that the weather cooperated; Guess I'll have to wait until next year to watch the lift. As Pat N mentioned about her Leconte coffee mug, I've got to get me one of those ! I am interested as to what her "mountain music" is. I could definitely make use of some new melodies. Question: (I should know this) How many, if not all, of the propane gas tanks are replaced / refilled ? I know there's a bunch of them down below the lodge and am curious as to the amount of gas consumed in a single season.....I believe the lift takes two days, so, good flying today !!

I found a decent video of the airlift from 2008 that might interest you, Doug. It really affords an excellent glimpse into the operation.

Hope you get to make it down for the event next year. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peUdlp1FhUA

I have a picture of all the propane tanks. And I just tried to count them for you Doug. But the way my picture is there too close together. I have counted them before and I think theres 52. I may be off a couple.
Good luck on the fly in.

Was watching from Anna Porter Library. Great view of the mountain, and had a good pair of bi-nocs. Must be exciting up top.

Pat N., Kent, Debi: Many thanks for your information and suggestions. It's ironic or whatever you wish to call it that despite all my years of experiences in the Smokies that my knowledge of Leconte Lodge is sometimes a bit lacking. My first stay there wasn't until 2004, after about, then, fifty years of hiking and camping in the Park; I suppose it's part of the reason that I write so much when I post my comments here - - I cannot get enough of news regarding the lodge ! (as I've said: brevity isn't one of my virtues !) Just for one single solitary season I would absolutely love to work there as a crew member; I've applied twice, without results, but that's ok. I may be 63, but I can sure show those youngsters a few things about dealing with and pleasing people !! I'm also a pretty darned good cook and housekeeper. I know without any doubt whatsoever that I'd be a great asset. Menawhile, I'll be content to be simply a guest, and I could be that every week if it were available ! I sometimes forget about the gift shop at the Sugarlands visitor center - - I will probably make a special trip down there now just to buy one, or several, of those musical cd's; I recall now that I did purchase a nice screen saver of Park scenes there several years ago which I have on my old laptop; I often have it going when I'm out in my "man cave" building to watch and relax by. Yes, I'll go view that airlift video as soon as I finish here; I once had my pilots license, but let it expire some time back, but I still love to fly and I'm like a little child when it comes to planes; I guess it's why I'm interested in the lift. And I was wondering, from a logistical point of view, about the 'rotation schedule' for those propane gas tanks. That's a lot of fuel, eh !? When I'm snugly in one of the cabins at the lodge, the little wall gas heater is one of the most pleasant aspects of being there, not to mention those wonderful wool blankets ! But I've never stayed in one of the "group" cabins and sometime this year I hope to get lucky and get a cancellation and stay in one - - I've just always prefered the individual cabins, and my favorite is the one on the end, Cabin No. 9 I believe; sort of like being on "Cloud 9" !! I love the view from its door, especially at night when I can leave the door open and see the lights in the valley below. That sight always takes my breath away. Of course, one of these nights I could have a visitor, a wandering bear perhaps !! He'll have to take the upper bunk ! Oh, Debi, there's a photo of those gas tanks from about a couple of years ago showing how deep the snow got that winter and the accumulation was almost over the tanks; I'll have to look for it later. Gina: I don't know why, but I was thinking that you lived north of the Park somewhere; yeah, the closure would aggravate me terribly ! It'd be worth that for the people who operate the casino to have it open ! I'm not gambler, just a lover of the Park and the Lodge. Call me Jeremiah Johnson perhaps ! I'm just guessing, but I think that viewing the airlift from Clingmans Dome would be a wee bit too far away; it would be for me, but I'm just not sure about that. I think that, provided that you didn't mind getting there, Cliff Tops would be a decent spot to watch, although, of course, you couldn't really see the loads being set to the ground. To each his or her own, eh !? As Matt stated: that helicopter looked rather tiny from his vantage point. A great day to all !!

Debi: go to the post(s) of 3/16/2010 to see the depth of the snow then at the propane gas tank 'yard'; I believe that's the general manager Tim Line standing between two of the tanks ! I arrived there about 18 days later and the snow had melted, but not all of it ! I believe that the total accumulation for that winter was well over 100 inches with around 48 inches on the ground at one point !

Some pictures of the 2008 airlift at http://www.pbase.com/ronmetcalfe/march_2008 or by following the link of the little arrow beside my name.