Greetings valley dwellers! Fall is here! A cold front moved in and temperatures dropped to low 50s. 52 last night, 54 currently. Perfect cozy blanket and pumpkin spice everything weather. We're taking bets on when the first snow will hit! Remember to bring the proper gear for chilly weather hiking if you are planning a trip up the mountain. Happy hiking! Love, Turnip

View above the clouds of the tack house from the back porch

Hello down there LeConte lovers! Fall is finally here which means it time for pumpkins, spiced lattes, ciders, and the colorful reds, yellows, and oranges of the leaves. The mountain ash has finally bursted in all its glory up on the mountain. Today for our Sunday dinner Matt made 8 homemade pizzas and they were quite delicious. Everything from pepperoni to supremes. Wooo! As a crew we are looking forward to Halloween and the remaining two months on the mountain. Today we had a rain shower for a couple of hours which was much needed since things have been quite dry. The low last night was 47F with a high of 71F today. We have not seen any cloud inversions down below yet which is characteristic of fall weather.

This quote seems comically appropriate for the season:
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than, than be crowded on a velvet cushion" Henry David Thoreau

Happy hiking and looking forward to seeing you when you get up here!

-Justin

It was gorgeous up here today!

A 69/50 day led yet again into much of the same, hot sun and cool breezes.

The llamas came up today and took turns weed whacking for us. All of the coneflowers are gone, and the snakeroot are starting to go too.

Theres still some grassus Parnassus on Alum and the mountain ash is quite glorious-- take pictures!

please remember to pack out all your trash, cigarette butts included.

​Enjoy the weekend!

After a 69/48 day of sunshine and breezes we had much of the same today, you can definitely tell Fall is underway!

The guys around camp are loving the cool weather and are trail running like crazy, the trail crew is doing an amazing job on Alum, and we're all enjoying getting to know the people hiking up!

Best wishes to the lady finishing the AT in honor of her father, you have an amazing story and it was a pleasure getting to know you and your mother.

We have llamas tomorrow!

Remember to pack for layers, it is really getting chilly at night.

Alum Cave is open tomorrow through Sunday but there is another rod run this weekend so the earlier you get to the trailhead the better!

Whew!

It is wonderful outside today, sunny with a slight breeze.

We has a nice 64/49 day yesterday with tons of cool guests!

Jess was able to connect with some fellow knitters, we met some craft artisans, and there was a Poole party.

We up on LeConte do a lot of different things on our days off.

Matt, for instance went to go check out the Roan and Maxpatch areas and Pauleen just got back from Mt. Mitchell.

Where would you guys recommend for us to go next?

Also, does anyone know if Ramseys Cascade will be open anytime soon?

Our high was 57 yesterday with a low of 54, (thanks cloud cover), and today was much of the same with .65" of sky water.

​We have some pretty awesome guests up here today, plus a free concert in the office after dinner, a knitting party planned for tomorrow!

Pack rain gear for tomorrow, who knows when this weather will pass.

Question of the day: What are you currently reading?

All of us up here love to read and have tons of very different books and want to hear from you guys what you like to read.

Llamas on Wednesday!

We have rain for the first time in......quite a while!

After a 64/49 day with beautiful sunshine we have been socked in all day with cloud and rain.

​

We have llamas tomorrow!

Since Luke has brought up Phish I feel it is equally important to not forget other musical geniuses.

Such as Alice Cooper.

Or Yes.

Anyway, who was able to see either of these guys in concert?
​Leave a comment below!

What's up my fellow explorers! This is Luke here, and let me tell ya, today is by far the most beautiful day I've seen up here this season. Breezy, sunny, and hints of the approaching fall season (my favorite). Days like today make me say "carpe diem" which I encourage all of you to do today!

Not only do bluebird sky days up here make for good vibes all around but what really makes for a good day is you all! All the day-hikers and guests this season have been so kind and all around cool people! So I wanna say thank you for being you and keep on spreading the love!

The high yesterday was 66 degrees and the low this morning was 51 degrees.

"To keep great evil in check, I find it's the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love" - Gandalf the Grey

Hello hello!

This is Jessica (first time blogger here) and I am writing to you from the back steps of the kitchen enjoying the last bits of daylight after a long, but fun day cooking.

It was really pretty today, lots of sun as well as chilly Fall air moving in. The high yesterday was 72 and the low this morning was 46.

Anyway, let's cut to the chase. I am in the process of knitting my brother a sweater for Christmas. The issue is that all I have ever knitted is hats. I spent a lot of time at Loopville (a yarn store in Knoxville) getting help from the awesome people there, but I am a little stuck at this point in my pattern. So if anyone that is planning on hiking up that knows anything about that sort of thing, come to the kitchen and ask for Jessica. I'd love to learn some new things and get this sweater finished!

Thank you in advance!

Hello my friends! This is Luke here. First and foremost, we apologize for not being able to reply to your comments. The connection is very spotty up here. SO, I am going to start off by answering a few from yesterday.

Yes, we will post more crew interviews. (I know you all are dying to know more about me)

Elktonbrandt- I was able to find the elusive creature we call "Justin" and ask him, Paper or Plastic? He said he's more of a paper fan.

Mrs. Mooring- Your son is one heck of a runner! And unfortunately the cornbread recipe is highly classified but I will say, it does require one cup of love.

Alayna- 7 and 8 are perfect ages to start introducing the joys of hiking! Especially a hike to LeConte.

Tammy(Tx)- There's 11 of us employed here but usually there's a few of us down the mountain for days off.

The high yesterday was 70 degrees and the low last night was 49.

Now, since I'm writing the blog today I want to ask all my phellow Phish peeps two questions. Because I can.

What's your favorite show and why?

How do you think their new album, Big Boat, will compare to their most previous ones like Fuego?

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves"- Edmund Hillary

Jess is back and cooking up a storm!