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Aug. 10, 2014

8/10/2014

 
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Larry Russell doubled Alum Cave Bluff trail Sunday to make his 99th and 100th hikes to LeConte Lodge. He has hiked LeConte 43 times in 2014 alone.
Good afternoon from a soggy LeConte Lodge.  We've got lots of news to sort through today, but I'll start with the weather first.  In an unassuming fashion, sunrise eased into the room and let itself in to start our day.

Yesterday we only received 0.08 inches of rain--not bad for a forecasted 80 percent chance of precipitation.  Most of the day was cloudy, but we were kind of ahead of the game given the forecast.  The high was 64 with a low of 55.  After holding off most of the morning, we've seen steady rain since lunch.

I'll continue with congratulations to Larry Russell, who often reads High on LeConte.  Larry finished his 99th and 100th hikes to LeConte Lodge Sunday afternoon.  That's right, Larry doubled the Alum Cave Bluff Trail (20 miles, partially in the rain) to hit the century mark on LeConte hikes.  Larry's 43 hikes to LeConte Lodge in 2014 alone put him in rare company.  Larry is a retired police officer from Covington, Tenn., (way out in West Tennessee) and is always a big help to LeConte rookie hikers.

I was also glad to meet Debi and her family this afternoon.  A frequent reader here, Debi journeyed from Michigan, will be staying with us soon and chose to get in an extra day trip up LeConte today.

We did have a bear sighting in camp a couple of nights ago with no issues reported.  However, we welcomed 15 members of the Crockett party last night, and wisely bears steered clear of LeConte Lodge.  They must have heard about the namesake.  Two of the Crockett party members, one of them 70 years old, have made the overnight trip to LeConte Lodge for 21 consecutive years.

I'll wrap up with a little celestial news.  We're expecting the most impressive "supermoon" of the year tonight.  A supermoon appears larger and more brilliant because the full moon
is closest to Earth.  If weather prevents us from seeing this supermoon, there is another expected Sept. 9.  Also, the Perseid meteor shower takes place in the predawn hours Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  The brightness of the supermoon may make viewing the Perseids more difficult.  However, the most impressive meteor shower I've ever seen on LeConte came thanks to the Perseids in 2010, when I saw about 75 meteors in two hours.  It was spectacular and well worth the interruption of sleep. 

That about wraps up Sunday's news, glad almost all of it was good. 
Happy trails.
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Missy
8/10/2014 09:12:20 am

Congrats to Larry from a fellow West Tennessean. I'll be making trip number 2 to the lodge this fall. I think your record is safe - at least from me. :)

Jeanie
8/10/2014 09:47:37 am

Way to go, Larry!!!! Sorry I missed you.....Sunday afternoon nap. See you next time & congrats again!!

Kaye
8/10/2014 10:15:41 am

Way to go Larry, also from a West Tennessea BUT soon hopefully, to be a Mountain resident. I am impressed with that last hike. I have hiked LeConte for 15 times, but never put that many miles in. Keep it up!

Tracy g link
8/10/2014 11:53:49 am

Brent
8/10/2014 12:39:25 pm

I went up and down Alum trail with Larry as a rookie New Years Eve of 2013, I made it but was exhausted, how he does the double trips I have no idea, my hats off to you Larry, keep it up my friend....!!!!

Larry O
8/11/2014 05:13:31 am

Brent, I believe it was 2012 and I remember you and hour heavy coat. HA

Larry O
8/11/2014 05:14:49 am

"your"

Larry O
8/10/2014 12:49:33 pm

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on my hike(s). I would also like to thank the LeConte crew, you are part of the reason I keep coming back.

Scott A
8/10/2014 12:51:24 pm

Congratulations Larry!! That is awesome. I wish i could hike that mountain as much. Im just shooting for 25 times up it. Well done sir.

steve c
8/10/2014 01:28:09 pm

Larry I am glad my granddaughter and I got to see you again last Saturday. I just didn't realize that your one hundredth trip was this close so congratulations are in order. I know that we will see each other again on the trail my friend. Happy Hiking! !

Larry O
8/11/2014 05:17:48 am

Steve, it was great seeing you and meeting your sweet granddaughter. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Debi
8/10/2014 02:54:54 pm

So nice to meet you Nathan. Had a great time today. Even though we got soaked on the way down. But well worth it. Can't wait to come back Tuesday and hopefully see the meteor showers. Awesome! You are so welcome to come and stay with us anytime and cut our wood pile. But hate to say it I think you'd run when you seen our double hauling semi load of wood we always have. Tracy will bring you a beer Tuesday.

norman
8/11/2014 01:13:05 am

good going Larry, wish i could do it once!

Tony Ga
8/11/2014 04:02:39 am

Larry O, I was admiring your walking stick. Did you make it yourself and what kind of wood is it? I really like the handle. Just started making my own walking sticks. Congrats on your 100th trip.

Latty O
8/11/2014 05:08:13 am

Tony, I purchased it at the Day Hiker in Gatlinburg, got tired of the aluminum ones breaking or bending.


Comments are closed.
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