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A Successful Airlift; Farewell On a Beautiful Day

11/9/2012

 
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The helicopter arrives for a supply drop and pick up because the llamas have been "grounded." The pile of dirty linens you see in the foreground was hauled off to be cleaned. Thanks to good help below and on the mountain the airlift went perfectly.
I pass along warmest regards on a beautiful, sunny day from LeConte Lodge.  Allyson and Chris are headed back up tonight to close out the season.  Thus, this will be my last High on LeConte update.  I'll write more about that later, but first on to the news of the day.  It's an interesting time of year: we have more inches of snow on the ground (16) than days left in the season (12).  That's a sure sign that crew members are packing up their rooms, some of them sadly for the last time.

As many of you know, our llama teams have been "grounded" because of trail conditions left by the record October snowstorm.  This forces us to be a little creative to make sure all our guests are still taken care of with clean sheets, fresh eggs and the like.  A helicopter dropped in fresh supplies this morning and hauled off our dirty linens to be cleaned.  We hope to bring the llamas back up to the lodge on Monday, though plans can change.

I'd like to thank our guests who volunteered to help us haul bags and bags of supplies up and down from the helicopter blowdown.  Displaying LeConte spirit, our guests paid their clean sheets forward by making sure our guests later this week could enjoy the same.  Our guests and fine crew (including Scott, who made a welcomed visit after working on last year's crew) made sure a tough job was completed perfectly on a sun-kissed LeConte morning.

John and I used some ingenuity to haul about 100 pounds of sugar, enough chicken to send chills through the henhouse and some other supplies down to the lodge by sliding our rescue litter/stretcher along the snowy path down to the lodge.  That's a tough task, one that will surely make you a platinum member of the LeConte Llama Appreciation Society.

Thursday's high reached 35 while the low of 18 occurred a couple hours after supper.  Oddly enough, we enjoyed a temperature inversion, and the thermometer reading warmed up overnight.  As of 2 p.m. Friday, the icicles are working overtime draining snow off the roof with sunny skies and a current temperature of 52 degrees.  The forecast for the weekend looks wonderful.

I expect this weather will do much to improve the trails, though I can comfortably recommend Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap and Alum Cave Bluff Trails now.  I'm going to wait for more melting to recommend Bullhead and the Boulevard Trails.  Please keep in mind that with all of the melting, there will be plenty of icy water on the trails.  I've seen a few freezing, miserable people in tennis shoes here at the lodge.  Plan for overnight refreezing as the lows are likely to remain chilly.  Tim Line, our general manager and a skilled hiker, found the descent of Alum Cave Bluff Trail in the morning more slippery than his ascent, though still doable.

Finally, I'd like to thank all of you for reading High on LeConte during this circuitous trip through the news on Mt. LeConte during the 2012 season.  I appreciate you leaving kind comments and coming up to say hello in person with nice thoughts about Allyson's and my daily updates.  We spend a lot of time taking photos, visiting with guests to gather news and trying to pass along safety information, and it's nice to know that it's not just floating around in space unread.

It's been quite a year.  I still remember the crew huddling around the thermometer in June awaiting our first 80-degree day on the mountain (we ended up with three of them this year).  Conversely, the monster snowstorm of October will live for many years in the stories of the crew and guests who experienced it.  LeConte is a special place, and has been for a long time.  Special thanks to all of you who came up and made the crew members' days better with your kindly dispositions.  Thanks again for reading and for your passion for this mountain.  Happy trails until we meet again.
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Tilman
11/9/2012 07:03:46 am

In relation to the lodge grounds, where exactly is the landing zone for that helicopter ? Nice photos.

Rusty
11/9/2012 11:57:01 am

It's east of the lodge, across the trail from the backcountry shelter. It's a great place to throw up a tent when the shelter is full-- level, grassy, and a great view of Gatlinburg!

Josh C
11/9/2012 01:29:49 pm

Great place to camp!! I think one of my kids was conceived there. Plenty of firewood close by too.

Pat N.
11/9/2012 07:25:54 am

Beautiful pics and touching farewell. Don't ask me why I had tears in my eyes while reading this post, but I did. Thanks, Nathan, for a job well done. Funny...the other night I was picturing you guys using the litter to haul supplies. One can always find a way to be resourceful when the situation calls for it.

Pat M
11/9/2012 07:34:56 am

Thank you Nathan! I have so enjoyed all of your posts. I especially appreciated the crew profiles and stories about the llamas. Job well done! Happy trails to you too :-)

Keeley
11/9/2012 08:29:02 am

Thank you also. I just discovered the blog this past month, when I had doubts about keeping my reservations for this weekenddue to snow. Your blog gave me and my husband assurance that it's still worth the trek. We will be up there tomorrow to celebrate our one year anniversary.

Keeley
11/9/2012 08:31:08 am

Oh, and if anyone reading this comment is also going to be up there tomorrow noght (Saturday), we are bringing Settlers of Catan, and hope to find 2 more players to join us! We will teach if you aren't familiar with the game.

Debi
11/9/2012 09:16:53 am

So, Nathan, are u leaving this year or just saying farewell til next year? Great blogs buddy, dear friend. If your not leaving, who is??? I still have 2 more years, after this year, of kid in school before I can join the crew. lol. My husband says he'll drop me off in March and pick me up in November. Gotta love the guy!
What a load of laundary u have there. Thank goodness u don't have to wash them by hand and hang it out to dry.
Less than 2 weeks and the fun will be over. Enjoy your time off Nathan, good job and well done.

Ben F
11/9/2012 09:23:36 pm

I had to go to Atlanta for a work thing yesterday. So I'm sitting here with my coffee catching up on yesterday's post. I truly did Laugh Out Loud when I read the line from your husband about dropping you off. Thanks for the early morning mood enhancer.

PS - I've been using "Ben" for my occasional comments. During the heavy coment traffic of the snowstorm week, I noticed another Ben (with the squigly link mark by his name). So, I'll throw in the last name initial.

High on LeConte
11/10/2012 10:04:41 am

Debi,

Thank you for the kind words. I'm not certain about my plans for the 2013 LeConte season, which is usually the case with several members of the crew this time of year. There's always a lot to sort out as you close out a season, and that's tough to do while staying busy on the mountain. I am proud that we sent a lot of people home happy during 2012. Regardless, there won't be much rest, as I'm leaving the week after we hike down from LeConte to be a winter guide in Yellowstone through early March. Thanks for reading. I hope you get drier weather for your journey to LeConte next year. Happy trails.

Nathan

Lydia Godfrey link
11/9/2012 11:20:13 am

I want you to know I'm one of those you may seldom hear from but I have started following your Daily Posts and sharing them on my facebook page as a sort of "Keeping My Eye on the Prize" kind of column. I am a long way from being in good enough shape to actually make it up there this year and maybe not even until 2014 (for an overnight) but at the rate I'm training, I'm hoping I can make it near my birthday that year. I started training when I was 222 pounds and am down to 209 now. I've walked 57.9 miles of trail gradually working my way up to more and more difficult trails. I just want you to know you're not just throwing words out there to nobody. There are probably a lot like me who you seldom hear from. Thanks for the posts. Keeping my eye on the prize, Lydia

Vickie M
11/10/2012 06:21:09 pm

Like Lydia I have never posted but this year has been truly amazing with all stories about the trails and the snowfall! I hope to hike up there next year. It's been 20 years since I hiked LaConte and I've always wanted to go back and hike it again! I came up the Alum trail and it was a wonderful experience.
I love the daily posts and photo's and I'm forever hooked. I must read about LaConte news every day now!
Thanks to all of you!

Sharon Fowler Hasting
11/9/2012 11:46:31 am

Your daily posts definitely are not just floating around in space going unread! I've never been able to hike to Leconte Lodge, myself (maybe in my next life when I'm in better health! ha!), but it has been nice to see all the pictures from "the top of the world" from you guys! Please keep sending pictures! Especially when it snows!! Maybe the only snow I get to see this winter! Sharon from Alabama

Judy Lambert
11/9/2012 01:18:06 pm

I am in the category with several of you. My first trip to the lodge was last Aug & I was 190 lb (less than 5 ft tall) & turning 61 in 3 weeks. It took awhile to make the Alum Cave trail but I made it & it felt wonderful! I am so proud to show my pictures to all of my friends & brag on the beauty of LeConte Lodge. I am hopefully going to make a return trip this coming August. The beautiful pictures over the last couple of weeks have really inspried me--just wish I had been there.
JAL

Paul B
11/9/2012 11:18:36 pm

Judy, did you and your husband stay the night of Monday the 20th? I believe we met you along the way on Alum and at the lodge. I am quite impressed with your perseverence and embarking on a great adventure. Your encouragement to others shows that it is always possible and as Lydia said, keep your eye on the prize!

Judy L
11/10/2012 08:02:28 am

Yes-we did spend the night of Aug 20. Thank you for your thoughts--we continue to try to get in better shape to do the hike again this coming Aug. Hopefully, we will see you on the trail!!

JAL

Cristy L
11/9/2012 01:51:34 pm

Thank you so much for all the work it takes to not only work up there, but for this fabulous blog. I just love it! I work at Pittman Center Elementary School and get to look out each day and see your rooftops! That view...from below and from up top....is proof there is a God!
Keep up the inspiring work!!!

Chris D
11/9/2012 10:48:27 pm

Please keep in mind it is illegal to tent camp on LeConte. You have to have reservations to stay at the shelter, so as long as you and others follow the rules there is a spot for you.

Ben F
11/10/2012 12:01:53 am

Good morning Chris. Was that you on the Nov 1 guest sighting?

Chris D
11/10/2012 12:40:58 am

That was me. Couldn't pass up seeing all that snow.

Ben F
11/10/2012 03:48:55 am

I thought it probably was. I'm right below you (Oct 24). Nathan was kind enough to take a snap for me. I wanted to thank you for the info on Old Sugarlands you gave me several months back. It was fun to see something new for a portion of the trek to LeConte. The sun rose and set while I was on Old Sugarlands during my day hike on Oct 22. Thanks again.

Kathy & Bobby from KY
11/10/2012 02:46:30 am

We hiked up Wednesday on Rainbow Falls Trail & stayed 2 nights. Rainy & treacherous hike up but worth it once we got there. It was beautiful & awesome! Glad we got to see it with all the snow. Can't describe how awesome! Allyson, Nathan & all the crew are wonderful. Keep up the daily post. Enjoy keeping up with all the post! Thanks & see you next year!

Tilman
11/11/2012 12:50:46 am

I was on the A.T. in the Park not long ago and had the proper reservations for each shelter I intended to stay in. At one there were eight or nine people who did not have any reservations and it became a tense situation for all the others who did, but luckily a Park Ranger just happened to come by and was able to resolve the matter ( the ones without had to leave). Every one has the opportunity and right to visit the Park, but when people take advantage of things and think that they can break the rules it creates bad feelings and isn't fair to those who understand why those rules are in place and follow them. Tent camping is just one example. I can camp anywhere and leave no trace but I do not; I do so only where permitted. Those who do not should not have the privilege of using the Park in my opinion. It may sound cute and creative to camp in spots not delineated for such, but it only shows immaturity, thoughtlessness, and a total lack of respect for all, including themselves.

Don M link
11/14/2012 06:35:55 am

be assured, this is one of the few website I make a point of to read at least once a week. Having spent 2 great nights in april 2012, I was interested in the views and topics covered the rest of the year. I miss the place already.


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