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70 Degree Days for August

8/18/2010

 
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Looking at our weather history, Chris and I added up the days in August that it has reached 70 and above. For 2010, we have been in the 70's for 14 out of 18 days. For 2009, we only had 4 days out of the entire month that reached 70. The seasons are so different from year to year. It is hard to predict what the weather will do. We just learn to accept it and live with it. The high yesterday was 73 with a low of 55. We have had rain for the past couple of days. The sun poked thru this morning and gave us an amazing sunrise. Now, lets just hope the sun stays out. 

Two Nights on Mt. LeConte

8/17/2010

 
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I thought I would post a picture of the lunch you are served if you stay two nights. A lot of people ask me how long most people stay. I tell them that most people stay one night, if you want to truly experience the mountain, you will want to stay at least two. The next question I get is, "What is there to do on the mountain?". I tell people, if the weather is good, there are several small day hikes you can do. Most people enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountain. That usually involves a nap and a good book. There is something for everyone on the mountain. It is a great place to unwind and enjoy nature. 

Filmy Angelica

8/16/2010

 
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Filmy Angelica is a non-native species which grows above 5000 ft. We have it on Mt. LeConte. The interesting detail is watching the bees become drunk off of its nectar. The plant is usually covered in bees. You can often find Cedar Waxwings hanging out around the plant picking off the insects. 




Yesterday was a beautiful day up top. The high was 73 with a low of 58 degrees. 

A Lot of Bear Activity

8/15/2010

 
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The bears are out and about. Our friend,#532, has not moved on and we seem to have a bigger fellow hanging out around the top of camp. Fortunately, they are not getting into anything. The guests have done a great job of keeping their personal items put away and their is no food to be found. I am sure the bears are gorging on blackberries. I know I am. If #532 keeps hanging out around camp, the biologists will more then likely be forced to move him elsewhere. The new location will be a much healthier environment for him to make a new life. I will keep you posted. As for weather, it was a wet day yesterday. It rained most of the afternoon. Today is starting out nice and sunny. I hope it is a trend to continue. 

MMMMM..... Blackberries!!!

8/14/2010

 
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Here come the blackberries... and more bears. The berries are getting ripe and the bears can smell them. I startled a bear in the a blackberry bush and he in return startled me. We have had more bear activity over the past few days. The little guys are looking for food and they are all over the mountain. The weather has been great. Yesterdays high was 72. Time to go blackberry pickin'. Maybe this is a good time to wear a bear bell?

Perseids

8/13/2010

 
The storms in the distance provided an amazing backdrop for the Perseids meteor shower. Some of the crew spread out on the back the porch and watched the meteors rip through the night sky. It was absolutely amazing. It was a cool 56 degrees so the temperature was just right. The clouds cleared and left us a with an amazing lightning show from the storms off in the distance. It is nights like this that make me realize how lucky I am to call LeConte home. 
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Interpretive Ranger Programs

8/12/2010

 
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The Park Service provides an interpretive ranger that hikes up and spends the weekend on LeConte. The ranger does several educational programs from Thursday until Sunday. It is very popular with the kids and adults. The above photo shows Ranger David Worth leading a salamander hike. The guests were enjoying flipping over rocks and looking for salamanders. 

"Touch Me Not"

8/11/2010

 
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This is one of my favorite flowers on the mountain. Jewelweed, also known as "touch me not", is used for treatment of poison ivy. The reason I am so fond of it is because I have memories of an old mountain man teaching me about it when I was about 7 years old. He took my family out hunting for geodes and taught us about "touch me not" in the process. It is a beautiful flower. 


It is still warm up top. It reached 71 degrees. The humidity has come back with the rain. We received 1.6" of rain. 

Meet Bear # 532

8/10/2010

 
It is the season for bear issues. The berries are ripe and their is a lot of food up top. The mama bears have kicked their cubs to the curb and the little ones are trying to make it on their own. They just have to learn that there is a big park out there and they can not stay at LeConte. We have had a few bear sightings over the past week. The park biologists hiked up to find these bears and let them know they need to move on. As soon as Rick Varner, park biologist, got to the top, the bear came walking thru camp. It did not take long for Rick to dart the little guy and start his work up on him. 
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Rick is getting ready to work up the bear so they have documentation on bear #532.
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The bear is getting ear tags so he can be identified if he decides to come into camp again.
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This bear has some big paws for a two year old.
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He is about to get a tattoo in his mouth. This will have be another way to identify him if he becomes a problem bear and his ear tags come out.
After the biologists are done working him over, they wake the bear up. They then to proceed to yell at the bear and scare it out of camp. Rick says the experience is like a bad night on the town. The bear will wake up with a bad hang over, a tattoo, a pulled tooth, an earring, and some crazy memories of those two legged creatures. Hopefully, this will be enough to make him scared of people and buildings and stay away. We want him to stay a wild bear, which in return will save his life. 

Jacket Weather

8/9/2010

 
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Beautiful ending to a wonderful day. The high yesterday was 71. The humidity seems to be disappearing. The nights have been cool enough for long pants and a jacket. Remember this if you are coming up any time soon. Pack some warmer clothes. You will want them at night. 

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