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March. 21.2016. Ice, ice, baby.

3/21/2016

UPDATE: As of 7am Cherokee Orchard road is open, 441 is not. The Rainbow Falls trail is your best option as of right now, we'll keep you posted!

WE HAVE SNOW!

Justin braving the stairs this morning

The stairs yesterday.

After a somewhat lacking morning yesterday we were drowned in Mother Winter's blessing, this morning we measured 7" of the stuff. The temps barely got above 25 and the overnight low was 11.

Today is the first day of the season and boy oh boy is it a day. To all the guests and hikers who are venturing up here today please use caution! The trails and slick, icy, and covered in snow. Waterproof, warm, wick, and shoes traction devices are so strongly suggested it's not funny.

We ask that all guests please call the reservation office ( 865-429-5704) to let us know if you guys are either coming up or staying down!

March. 20. 2016. Lack of excitement

3/20/2016

UPDATE: As of 11:30 am EST, we are receiving flurries. It is extremely slick out there so be careful!

We received .22 inches of rain and a chilly overnight of 22 after a day of 40 degree weather. Needless to say the frost around camp is slicker than an otter playing in an oil well.

We have no snow.
It's a terrible letdown, but we will survive.

It's supposed to snow tonight, but we are cynical this morning

We open tomorrow everybody! Come see us for LeConte's hot cocoa, shirts, and of course, us!

Here's our crew for this year!

From right to left: Justin, Brian, Tim, Alison, Walt, Luke, Pauleen, and Tracy. In the front are Caitlin and Jessica.

March. 19.2016. Snow....?

3/19/2016

We had a fabulous 49 day which promoted much productivity and sunbathing. Although it got down to 32 overnight it doesn't smell like snow in the slightest, which is both good and a huge letdown.

Snow and ice up here is extremely dangerous but also breathtakingly amazing.

Best of both worlds one could say.

Chance of snow is down to 30% now, we're keeping our ears open.

Monday is right around the corner!

LL out.

March.18.2016. Socks and cross paws

3/18/2016

After another fantastically warm 49 day, we were treated 39 to this morning. You can definitely smell the snow in the air at night despite not getting any yet. Our ravens showed up late yesterday and surprised us; they contrast so beautifully against the dusky sky, sunlight fighting through clouds to set the white bark of the trees alight.

A few of our new items this season, which are also available for purchase at:
http://www.lecontelodge.com/store/

Our bear shirts can only be found on the mountain though, so hike up and see us next Monday!

We are excited to open despite the threat of Mother Winter over the weekend and would love to see the guests and hikers who would brave the weather but would rather you stay safe at lower elevation than put yourselves at risk. Safety first!

LL signing off.

March.17.2016. Sunshine days before the chill

3/17/2016

After a wonderfully warm 58 yesterday we were once again down to an overnight of 37 degrees.

The last of our volunteers and work friends hiked down yesterday. A huge shout out to you guys! (We could never have got this season started without your hard work and long hours.) Come back up during the season and see us again! We miss you guys.

Today looks like it will another gorgeous and sunny day but there is a lot of talk of possible snow and ice over the weekend so if you plan on coming up pack warmly, waterproof, and bring some shoe traction.

We'll be finishing up camp maintenance this week in preparation of opening on Monday and may perhaps surprise you with some crew photos!

LL signing off.

March.16.2016: Getting back in the groove

3/16/2016

We are done with the airlift! The last of the propane tanks were delivered right before dinner and we were able to squirrel away all of our supplies that will (hopefully) last the season.

It reached a fantastic clear, sunny, 58 with an overnight low of 37. A clear moonlight night was replaced with a misty drizzle which may or may not continue throughout the day.

The rest of our week will be devoted to cleaning and maintenance, ready to open up next week.

And without further ado...

Dun-dun-dun-dun! This years shirt design! It will available in short sleeve, long sleeve, hoodie, and ladies tee shirts in a variety of colors.

We have tons of cool merch this year so hike on up and see us next week!

March. 14. 2016: Back up top

3/15/2016

It' a new year, a new season, new blog posts, and some new crew! Last night it was a warm 38 degrees after a drizzly, cloudy, 41 day. This year we have #chefbrian as manager along with returning crew Walt, Henry, Pauline, and Ryn.

It's gorgeous today so try to get out and enjoy it. The trails are sure to be slick from the past couple days rainfall, and barely any ice if any (Watch out for mud traps.)

We're running around busily cleaning up camp, getting to know each other, and getting out and enjoying the fantastic scenery from the lodge.

We should be able to post the new shirt designs by tomorrow so keep tuned in!

Lodge Lurker filling in signing off.

Airlift photos from staging area

3/14/2016

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First flight this morning taking off from Oconoluftee Overlook to the Lodge. They are transporting the ground crew and internal load of supplies to the Lodge. They will set down for this load. After that they will not set down again at the Lodge until they pick up the ground crew.

Middle photo: some of the supplies heading to the lodge.

Bottom photo: One of the first loads of the day. They got in a good day of flying but rain and winds moved in so they have stopped for the day. They will try again tomorrow. Will post some more photos and updates tomorrow.

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Update

3/14/2016

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The Lodge will open on Monday, March 21 for the 2016 season. The 2016 crew made their way to the Lodge over the weekend and the airlift of supplies started today. They will fly today as long as the weather holds and then fly until all supplies are delivered (food and fuel take priority, then other items such as souvenirs).

The 2016 shirts are one of the items that will be flown up, so the 2016 design will not be posted until they are delivered and unpacked. It may be late this week or early next, so please be patient. The managers should start posting sometime this week as time allows.

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March 09th, 2016

3/9/2016

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The man who stands on the sea-shore, or who rambles in the woods, seems to be the first man that ever stood on a shore, or entered a grove, his sensations and his world are so novel and strange. Emerson

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, blustery morning up top. The high yesterday reached 55 degrees. The overnight low was 38 degrees. It was 40 degrees and mostly cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow and there is only patchy snow remaining up top. The trails are sure to be sloppy and slick, I would recommend Microspikes if you intend to reach the summit. I am hiking down tomorrow morning, the blog will return when the crew hikes up for the season. Enjoy the Smokies for me!

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