Good afternoon to all of you. This is Nathan, and I'll be patching in for Allyson for a few days. I'll try to keep you up to date on the LeConte news and may try to introduce you to a couple more crew members in the next week (Walt and Chrissy are up next).
First of all, I'll pass along the weather report. The blustery weather has been mighty ugly today, not exactly chamber of commerce conditions. The rain and wind started up about 4 a.m. and really haven't given us much of a respite, though the rain hasn't been a downpour. The forecast calls for worsening conditions throughout the afternoon and evening, so be prepared and careful if you're coming up to see us. All morning we've been experiencing robust wind. Sunday's high topped out at 58. The official low was 33, but that's a little deceiving. That temperature reading of 33 degrees actually came just after our Sunday morning weather observation. It didn't get colder than 48 degrees Monday morning as the clouds insulated us on LeConte. Had that 33 degrees occurred with this morning's rain, we likely would have had a winner in the crew's annual LeConte Guess the First Snow Contest. Chrissy got on the board first with an October 1 guess. Allyson has won the last two years, so people pay attention to the date she picks. It's something fun to do as the season winds down and the activity of October ramps up. Our Guess the First Snow Contest is kind of like a poor man's Price is Right, except no one ever wins a car or gets to spin the big wheel. You enjoy what you have. The llamas were up eight strong about 11 a.m. They didn't have much of an adoring public to greet them, as the nasty weather conditions kept most dayhikers below in the land of thick air. Even though it was rainy and windy, the llamas much prefer that to the searing heat and humidity of summer. They are definitely boys of spring and fall. After we got the llamas loaded, Mitch, our llama wrangler, said something that you won't hear very often down below (I hope). Mitch was tying the llama string in preparation for the descent down the mountain and placed Rex behind Earl (who is Rex's father). "I've got a bad feeling about you being tied up with your dad," Mitch said. Had that been uttered anywhere else in this fine land there may have been kidnapping charges brought, but life on top of LeConte is a little different. Here's hoping Rex and Earl played nice on the trip back to the farm. Thanks for reading. We'll try to ride out the storms up here and hope crystalline October blue skies are on the way. Happy trails.
Paul B
10/1/2012 07:21:39 am
Any word on the missing llama that went over the wall back about August 21st?
High On Leconte
10/1/2012 10:03:34 am
Paul,
Nice turning of the leaves. There turning up here in Michigan too. Today its sunny and 68. So, I feel for you down there up on top. But I hear were getting a cold snap latter this week.
hannah
10/1/2012 09:45:30 am
debi, always look for your entry 'cause you are so regular :) we are both from MI originally ( East TN now ) so wonder where in MI you are from ? we still have a summer place in the UP ... can't get better than the UP and Mt. Leconte for vacation hannah, I am from Ludington,Mi. on the west side of the state. Hour north of Muskegon or a hour in half south of Traverse City. Where do you summer in the UP? The sled dogs I care for in the summer go to Newberry area. Its reallly beautiful on this side of the state. You have Lake Michigan which I went for a walk out to the pier last night, then came home and went fishing in my back yard on the Pere Marquette River. The salmon are running up the river thick and jumping all around. One wouldn't jump on mine or my son's pole though. Life is good, I do love my Mt.Leconte and treasure every moment I can get down to Tennessee. Didn't get into the lodge. Called 6 times, the last time out on the pier when my son yelled at me and asked me why I didn't keep calling all day. Hmmm, it is growing on him. Yeah! So him hope for that letter in the mail.
Gina
10/1/2012 10:29:26 am
I am just itching to do a day hike up, cant find anybody to go with me. I only live an hour away and its frustrating.
IN Tony
10/1/2012 11:19:34 am
Thanks to Nathan for finding a place for my wife and I (day hikers) to change into some dry clothes before lunch and the hike back down. Hey Nathan. Our large group was up last Thurs/Fri. I had the opportunity to say 'Hello' to you in the Dining Hall. Everyone in the crew was great, as usual. Today, I posted photos from our hike on GoSmokies (http://gosmokies.knoxnews.com/photo where I go by "J"). Brushy Mtn was especially nice. ...Take care.
Gina
10/1/2012 12:12:03 pm
Hot Dang, my luck just changed, found a hiking partner tomorrow, will be headed up tomorrow. I hope to be able to stop and say hi to you tomorrow Nathan if your around!
doug
10/2/2012 12:44:24 am
As much as I love being at the lodge, I haven't the patience to spend a lot of time on the phone attempting to get a reservation. I've been quite lucky, however, calling in during the season and getting one after a cancellation. I got very lucky for 2011 when I obtained six different two-night dates and was on "cloud 9"; but, sadly for me, I had to cancel every one of them when I changed jobs and underwent some surgery; yet, my interest for the lodge is unchanged and I begin each day with this site; I'll be back up there soon or later {sooner would be better}; In fact, I'm seriously considering moving to E. TN. I also hope to find a hiking companion one of these days. Nonetheless, I enjoy reading everyone's comments and really appreciate the daily photos and posts. Have a great day up there !!
Pat N.
10/2/2012 02:39:49 am
Leaving Michigan for the Smokies tomorrow. Can't wait...see y'all at LeConte on Sunday.
Donna
10/2/2012 03:30:22 am
Yeah! After calling all morning and afternoon yesterday for reservations, I finally go through at 3:30pm and have a date set for next May. So excited, it will be our first overnighter at LeConte. My husband and I are coming up Alum just for the day this Friday, looks like the weather will be cooperative by then and we are looking forward to spectacular views!
Tony Ga
10/2/2012 04:07:34 am
We are planning to be up there on Friday too. Coming in on the Boulevard and down Alum.
Brian N bama
10/2/2012 05:36:01 am
My boys and I did that hike back in june, will have to do it again because it was rainy and foggy. I liked Boulevard alot.
Bluegrass girl
10/2/2012 04:53:03 am
so excited, finally got through. 200 + times. What an awesome girls trip. our first time there. Can't wait.
Tony Ga
10/2/2012 12:55:15 pm
Brian N Bama, how long did it take you hiking the Boulevard to LeConte? Comments are closed.
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LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
June 2024
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