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April 15, 2014

4/15/2014

 
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Hello to all of you.  The rapid change in weather ranks as the day's top news on LeConte.  On Monday, the temperature hovered in a four-degree range--from a high of 45 to a low of 41.  We measured 0.61 inches of rain.

However, things changed rapidly this morning as the temperature dropped about 15 degrees in three hours.  After lunch the thermometer reads 25 degrees.  We've seen sporadic snow showers and ice pellets since about 10 a.m. with a light snow accumulation of less than an inch.  It's still lightly snowing as of this afternoon, but the forecast calls for the fairly quick-moving system to exit the Smokies by Wednesday.  I do expect it will be a cold Tuesday night atop LeConte.  Hikers should be prepared for slick conditions on all the trails leading to the summit for the next couple of days.

In other trail news, llama wrangler Chrissy saw a yearling bear about two miles up the Trillium Gap Trail on Monday.  The bear caused no difficulty and ran away as a wild critter should.  Perhaps he was afraid that Chrissy would also strap a pack of clean linens to his back and put him to work.  That does serve as a reminder that regardless of the time of year all hikers should be careful not to leave any food behind (even apple cores and banana peels).

As I was doing my morning chores I saw an unhappy junco and robin hopping around all stiff-legged.  They were puffed up to ward off the dropping temperatures and the ice pellets bouncing off their wings.  Having gotten used to some recent warm days on the mountain, those fluffy birds seemed to be fussing at the weather: "I didn't sign up for this."

In some other park news, crew members Pat and Jeanie told me they saw some impressive wildflowers around the Porter's Creek area in Greenbrier.  On Highway 441, I saw a nice stand of white trillium between the hairpin curve just above the Chimney
s Picnic Area on my way up to work last week.  As of right now, the predominant color on top of LeConte is also white, albeit a thin coat I hope melts Wednesday.

April 15 is also Tax Day (hope all of you have that squared away), which is the cause of much consternation for many. 
Just to add some perspective and reduce blood pressure, I'm typing in a federally protected area accessed by some of the prettiest trails in one of the prettiest states in one of the prettiest nations in the world.  Also, while I was in Uganda this winter (more stories about that in days to come), I received two marriage proposals--one of them from a family of a woman I never met.  The reason: not that I'm a likely candidate to model for a cologne advertisement, but solely because I am American.  And people across the world know that in America you have a chance--even on Tax Day.  That's just a little perspective on what can be a frustrating day.

Finally, yesterday some of you asked about this perhaps being my last season on LeConte.  There's no great drama or conspiracy there.  I've been saving for seven years to take a trip around the world (I hope to finish all the continents I've missed and see some of them on the back of a horse), and I'm about 80 percent toward my saving goal.  If I can meet my target this year, I'll try to take that trip
in 2015 because sometimes life doesn't afford you a second chance to do something like that.  In 2010, I gave my word I would work one season on LeConte.  I don't often repeat adventure jobs (except for wrangling in Colorado and wrangling/guiding in Yellowstone--two years each).  This is my fourth year on LeConte, which should tell you plenty about what a special place this is and what fine people I've met.

Happy trails.

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Missy
4/15/2014 08:15:59 am

Well, that is a perfectly good reason to move forward. From someone who will never see that dream come true, you are lucky indeed to have made that opportunity available to yourself. Congrats!

ChefSam
4/15/2014 08:40:26 am

Great blog, great compliment to the people and place that is Mt. LeConte. We all share that sentiment and wish you success in your upcoming 2015 plans!

doug y link
4/15/2014 08:43:43 am

Hello Nathan: I look forward to your sharing some of your experiences in Uganda. I can relate to that because I spent eleven wonderful weeks in adjacent Kenya some years ago. I used to speak five languages, but without use and practice these have slipped away. During my stay in Kenya I tried to learn quickly some Swahili phrases but I got a few words mixed up once and somehow proposed to one of the lady nationals in a little village ! Got out of that thanks to the quick thinking of my interpreter !
I met you but once but have appreciated your words and thoughts on here and now I, too, wish you luck next year if you follow your plans. This is a time you will look forward to I'm sure. I know exactly WHY you are moving on and that's simply to follow your heart. I think your eventual world trip is one of the greatest things a person can do. Travel. Enjoy. And remember, no matter where you go, there you are ! g'day

Stephen
4/15/2014 10:09:49 am

I have made the trip to Leconte many times, In fact as my wife is looking forward to pancakes and shopping in Gatlinburg, I can't keep my thoughts from drifting toward if ill need my microspikes or not :-) ...that being said, are there other national parks with similar lodges? Only accessible by trail and at the summit of a mountain? Just curious

Connie
4/16/2014 02:50:54 pm

You might consider Glacier National Park and the Granite Park or Sperry Chalets.

jean d
4/15/2014 11:59:33 am

Was sitting here in North Knox County messing with my computer, reading High on LeConte Blog about 10 am, looked out the window and it was snowing big flakes like crazy. It snowed for about 45 min to an hr. No accumulation since temp was about 38 and ground too warm from several days of mid 70s temps. Was sure it must be snowing on the mountain too as indeed the pics show. Winter is very reluctant to let go here isn't it?

The flowers and trees are doing their spring thing anyway. Maybe soon it will be normal spring weather. Meanwhile am enjoying the interludes of warm weather.

Nathan, am enjoying your updates and musings.

Marilyn
4/15/2014 12:35:03 pm

Nathan, I really enjoy your posts. You impart so much information to us all and so descriptively awesome! We had a light dusting of snow here in central Indiana too. Brr...I thought Spring had arrived but once again Mother Nature let it be known she was still in charge. Had to turn my heat back on. Looking forward to a June trip down your way..can't come soon enough. Til then I'll continue to get my fix via the LeConte posts.

Elisabeth
4/15/2014 01:23:08 pm

wow....I love your plans for next year! amazing! I have both property in CO and a horse (in ATL) and those are two of my passions. I am dreaming of going to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons this summer! I will have someone to talk to when we stay overnight in Oct! yay! Good for you for going after your dreams/adventures. Glad that Chrissy is OK after the cub encounter....my eyes will need to be UP and not on my feet now that it is spring! (which means I will be falling MORE often!) Have a great week!!!!

Barbara
4/15/2014 01:41:25 pm

Nathan, what took you to Uganda. What an interesting life you have

Chris
4/15/2014 02:43:02 pm

I understand your desire to travel the world. Wife and I also enjoy it very much and stil have Antarctica and Australia to see the continents. At 33 countries to date we have blessed to see so much of this amazing planet. We're working in two additional this fall.
If it's your dream then yes, do it when the opportunity comes be you're quite right, the opportunity may not come again. Perhaps we'll talk travel with you when we make our overnight trip to LeConte lodge in October. Chris

Sherleen Cardwell
4/15/2014 03:41:56 pm

Thanks for sharing the picture and comments of surroundings ,bear warning too.Not that I will be doing any hiking but others will.
Happy Trails to you young man and enjoy your life while you can. I log on early every day to see whats' up on the mtn. and log on late to read the comments.I enjoy ! :L-)

Dianne
4/16/2014 02:30:18 am

Thank you for the reality check!


Comments are closed.
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