Good morning, This morning, we woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground. Happy first day of.. Spring?? The sun is peeking behind the could but we are socked in and will most likely stay that way for the day. Temps are currently in the mid 20s so if you plan a trip to the top remember those layers and traction devices. Crew continued their clean up around camp yesterday by deep cleaning the cabins and lodges. Today, they will be continuing the reorganization of the office as well as cleaning the dining room. Only four more days until we open! Thats no sun, its the worm moon! Taken by our very own Jacob Line beside New Lodge. We didn't even need our headlamps last night while walking around camp!
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Good morning! All is quiet in camp this morning as a majority of our volunteers have made their way down the hill to flat ground. The last of the propane tanks were set in place at around 4:00 yesterday and t-shirts were stacked to the brim in the Office ready to sell (they will be unveiled soon). We can't wait for you to see this years design! Temps overnight reached a low of 17 degrees while our high yesterday was a warm 33 (when standing in the sun). As we continue to freeze and thaw, there have been reports of icy conditions on the trail so remember those traction devices if you plan to make a trip to the lodge. Today, we are expecting about the same conditions up top, sunny with a chance of scattered cloud cover. Crew watch the helicopter in the late afternoon as it makes the last couple runs with propane tanks.
Good afternoon,
Today will be the final day of the 2019 Airlift! We are happy to have all of our supplies where they need to be and are finishing the last couple of propane tank loads into the late afternoon. Again.. If a summit to the mountain is in your plans, please remember that the lodge premises will not be accessible like it is the rest of the year. While we fly, lodge grounds are closed off for safety reasons. Brief openings will occur when we will be able to allow visitors access to restrooms and water spigots. Otherwise, onlookers will have to marvel at the helicopter from a safe distance outside of camp. Yesterday, temps stayed in the mid twenties while the helicopter caused strong winds to hit us as we attempted to stay steady on our feet. As things settle today, the crew are folding the I Hiked It 2019 shirts and getting all the dust off the furniture since its been sitting in its same spot since we closed in the winter. We are excited for the new season to begin! Good morning, Overnight, we reached a low in the lower teens and while currently at 17 degrees, we will expect a little warm up throughout the day but it will remain chilly for our Airlift! If a summit to the mountain is in your plans, please remember that the lodge premises will not be accessible like it is the rest of the year. While we fly, lodge grounds are closed off for safety reasons. Brief openings will occur when we will be able to allow visitors access to restrooms and water spigots. Otherwise, onlookers will have to marvel at the helicopter from a safe distance outside of camp. A captured moment from our pre-flight safety meeting. Crew and volunteers are ready to get moving!
Good Afternoon, The winds have ceased but temps remain in the mid twenties up top. We are expecting another night of dropping temps as we prepare for the Airlift tomorrow. As our volunteers reach the lodge, there have been comments of icy spots on the trail from the parking lot all the way to the lodge. Remember those traction devices and warm layers if you plan to visit the lodge! The crew continue their work in camp as we (satisfyingly) emptied, deep cleaned and restocked the kitchen. It is now sparkling clean in anticipation for our first guests next week! Another beautiful Smoky Mountain sunset. We hope to kickoff our annual resupply Airlift tomorrow. Once flying begins, there will be temporary closures of the lodge grounds. We will be posting signs and caution tape around the perimeter of camp with staff to inform and direct visitors about the closure. Accessing water spigots and restrooms will be limited to when it is deemed safe for visitors to enter camp. While the helicopter is in the air, keeping hikers away from the action at a certain distance is the best way to ensure their safety. Please respect these closures and the dedicated folks staffing the entrances. Places like Cliff Tops, High Top, and Myrtle Point will of course remain accessible to hikers. Thank you and have a great afternoon. Our crew, lifting a (best estimate) 500 pound log across camp in preparation for the air lift. From front to back, Jacob and Jeremiah holding the front pole, Kemp and new crew member Layne supporting the middle, Don and John holding up the pole in the back and Caner Dave holding up the rear.
Good Afternoon All, It’s that time of year for the crew members to start hiking up the mountain and get ready for the 2019 season. After we all gathered for a big breakfast in town down below, we began our ascent up Alum Cave Trail on Friday. Once we reached the lodge we unpacked our belongings, ate dinner, and started preparing the lodge for the season ahead. We could not ask for better weather at the top. We are currently under clear skies with no rain or snow in the forecast (fingers crossed that doesn't change). Temperatures are staying on the colder side, currently at 27 degrees with lows dropping into the lower teens. We have a great crew lined up for the 2019 season. A large portion of returning crew members from the 2018 season with a few new crew members who are excited for the opportunity and adventures ahead. Part of the crew getting ready to hike up
Good Morning,
Folks gravitate to Mt. LeConte to experience life above the clouds, or in yesterday’s case, life in it. The gray veil and unrelenting winds never let go Thursday, but the rain and lightning didn’t show up until well after dusk. Better that all this rough weather works itself out before it comes time to fly. Yesterday’s high temp reached 48 degrees with a low of 39. We received 0.63” of rainfall during the night. It’s currently 46 under the same cloudy skies but the winds have finally eased off. Hoping that conditions improve throughout the day. By now the Crew has had their fill of apple fritters at our sister restaurant, the Applewood Farmhouse, and are close to hitting the trail. We’re excited about getting them up top, settled in, and straight to work so that everything is ready for Opening Day. Once it looks like we’re going to begin flying in our supplies, we’ll be sure and let everyone know. As a reminder, lodge grounds are closed to public access during the Airlift for safety reasons. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Better hold on to your hats! The winds have been howling since yesterday afternoon. Thought my cabin was about to take flight with the ravens! Sustained winds are holding at 20-30 mph with gusts bursting in at 50-60. Should be this way all day. Temps remain mild, as yesterday’s high was 50 degrees with a low of 35. We’re currently at 39 under cloudy skies. It’s “time to wake up the lodge” mode in Mt. LeConte. The crew will report tomorrow afternoon and we’ll begin prepping for another season in earnest. Reminder that even with all of this activity, the lodge doesn’t officially open until Monday, March 25. It’s a week later this year, so folks with Priority reservations do a double check of your arrival dates! Special thanks to winter caretaker, Seth Orme, for another fabulous off season up top. And also to Kemp Stonehouse for filling in these last couple weeks. Have a great day. Good morning, Tuesday was a gorgeous day to be in the woods. Shaping up to be a nice start today as well. Currently 43 degrees under clear and calm skies. No new precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 51 Low: 26 NOAA 7-Day Forecast -- Some of life’s experiences leave a permanent smile imprinted on your soul. Another winter savored on Mount LeConte has surely left a mark. Thank you for sharing the journey... See you up the trail, Seth Orme P.S. - Onward. “You can fail at what you don’t want so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” Good Morning, The clouds gave us a meager 0.05” of rainfall yesterday, and what few flurries there were never amounted to anything on the ground. It’s below freezing for the moment under clear skies and light winds. 24 hour temperature range | High: 40 Low: 26 NOAA 7-Day Forecast -- Spring was in the air. The dark gloomy days would be fewer and farther in between. Soon, I’d hang the lantern up for the season, there would no longer be a need for the caretaker. To the snow covered mountains of Montana I will flee. Back into thin air I will roam… But that time has yet to come. The present moment is the gift I’ll continue to enjoy the most. For now, the black lantern will continue to glow mysteriously through camp; and with it, I’ll turn my daydreams into reality. Onward, Seth “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.” |
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
April 2024
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