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April 16, 2014

4/16/2014

 
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Morning greets the top of the Smokies.
Good afternoon.  We've been graced with a splendid day on top of LeConte.  When I woke up at 4:45 a.m. the clouds had already broken and yielded to a brilliant full moon, which made the lodge glow with the blanket of white on the ground.  However, it was plenty cold--the type of cold where you can see your breath inside the kitchen for the first 30 minutes of breakfast preparation.

Reintroducing itself via an impressive sunrise, the sun has been our companion all day, resulting in some good melting weather.  As I type, there's an 18-inch icicle swaying back and forth as it clings to the wood-shingled roof by a prayer--a real LeConte cliffhanger.  The icicle has been sweating out its precarious situation one drip at a time.  I predict it will be beginning its journey to the Tennessee River soon.

Tuesday's high was 42, but that came early in the morning before the temperature plummeted during the day to an overnight low of 12 degrees.
  We received 0.36 inches of rain Tuesday morning before the switch to snow.  We totaled about two inches of snow Tuesday.  We've already climbed to 40 degrees as of 2 p.m. Wednesday. 

I've talked to hikers this morning who've arrived via the Alum Cave Bluff and Trillium Gap Trails.  Both said there were some tough, slippery sections as you neared the lodge.  I imagine there might be some stubborn icy spots hanging around for a couple of days, especially in shaded areas.

As a precautionary measure, we delayed Wednesday's llama resupply trip to Thursday.  Trail conditions and temperatures should be more pleasant then, especially considering the LeConte llama string received summer buzzcuts late last week.  A shivering llama is a pitiful sight.  It's a long season
, and we couldn't operate without them or our llama wranglers, Alan and Chrissy.  No sense putting them in needless hazard when Thursday sounds more favorable.

Thank you for your reading and your nice comments.  I turn over the updates to Allyson tomorrow, who returns from a short set of off days.  Hope to see you all at LeConte Lodge soon.  Happy trails.
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Spring just sent us an RSVP. These are the first buds I've seen on LeConte this year.
Audie
4/16/2014 08:05:28 am

I will be coming up for the third time Friday. Will the llama come up again Friday? I have not seen them yet and I was hoping the 3rd time will be the charm!!!

High on LeConte
4/16/2014 03:43:44 pm

Audie,

We're expecting the llamas both Thursday and Friday--if the plan holds. We have two veteran teams of llamas, so they'll alternate trips and not have to work overtime. The llamas typically arrive between 11:30 a.m.-noon, give or take half an hour, and will stay about an hour and a half or two resting, eating and drinking. We'll be glad to see you for your third trip to LeConte.

Nathan

Tracy G
4/16/2014 08:46:16 am

I so enjoy your descriptive postings Nathan. They draw such vivid pictures. I will miss your posts, but am so happy you are getting to pursue this journey. Enjoy and many blessings!

Jenny B. link
4/16/2014 10:59:54 am

Isn't the full moon great, especially off reflective surfaces like new snow? I had an insomniac attack last night, got up, and looked at the river below my house as I fetched myself a snack that I argued to myself would put me back to sleep (!) I saw such brilliant shifting light on the Tuckasegee River that I thought it must be caused by passing headlights. In a few moments, however, I realized it was the moon, inscribing its messages on the answering waters just below.

Rachel
4/16/2014 12:02:04 pm

Great Posts! I've enjoyed your writing! Beautiful pictures!

Lori, Jim, Isabel, and James
4/16/2014 03:09:12 pm

We and the kids heading up on Friday too, and I'm really hoping for a good thaw. I've done Alum, but that's what the crew wants to hike so probably our trail for the day. Daughter has Spanish test Monday and wants to know if she will be able to get a Wifi connection?

High on LeConte
4/16/2014 04:05:24 pm

Hello to your family,

Alum is a beautiful trail, far and away the most traveled route to the lodge. I expect much will be thawed judging on Wednesday's progress and Thursday's forecast. However, I'd still be prepared for some tricky spots in shady areas hidden from the afternoon sun.

LeConte Lodge does not offer WiFi connection both as a practical matter (we only have a limited amount of solar power) and to allow people to unplug and enjoy one of the finest jewels in the national park system. Our connection for these web updates goes through our business cell phone provider. We do offer the most unique lodging in the great state of Tennessee and (if you're lucky) sunrises and sunsets that will leave you speechless, but no WiFi. Your daughter might want to get her Spanish studying in before or after the trip. Buenas noches. We look forward to having you all visit.

Nathan

lori
4/17/2014 02:49:57 am

Gracias Nathan, thanks for the update (wish it were a little warmer, like last weekend!) I told her no wifi! (Great, a tablet less to carry.) She has worksheets she can study off of. C U all Friday afternoon around 3pm.

the black-greens (M&D50's, DD14, and DS9)

Ron
4/17/2014 03:25:14 am

Love LeConte. Never been up there. But one day would like to come up. Always check the NWS in the winter to see how much snow and how cold it got. Thanks for all the pictures and weather details you put on you blog.


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