We were glad to help Dick McAliley celebrate his 85th birthday on top of Tennessee.
Hello again to all of you High on LeConte readers. This is Nathan, and I'll be filling in through Sunday to keep you up to date on LeConte news until Allyson returns from quick days off. Not 20 minutes ago I was working on some projects around the lodge and had to put on a hat to keep my bald head from getting sunburned. Now, as of 2:28 p.m., I'm watching raindrops fall outside the window. Most of the morning and early afternoon were cloudy, though the forecast today and Saturday calls for a 70 percent chance of rain. On Thursday we topped out at 65 degrees with an overnight low of 56 after totaling a scant 0.05 inches of rain. One of the best things about working at LeConte Lodge is all the interesting people you get to meet. I have two to introduce to you today. We were honored to host Dick McAliley and his family again. Dick celebrated his 85th birthday with us last night with a host of his family in attendance--all hiking in special 85th birthday yellow shirts they had printed for the occasion. Dick has hiked LeConte every year since 1990 except one. A man of few words, Dick told me, "missed 1998--had a stroke." His tone reminded me of the way others might lament a sore throat. Dick has a prized hiking stick with lots of character--medallions from trails he's notched and hand-lettered dates from each of his LeConte hikes. I'm glad he'll get to add "August 8, 2013" to his venerable hiking stick. From the LeConte crew standpoint, we're also appreciative Dick brought his granddaughter, Katie, back to see us. Katie was a member of the fine 2009 and 2010 LeConte Lodge crews, and she loves being back on the mountain. It was also nice to see Jerry Luth of Findlay, Ohio again. Jerry's Friday day hike marked his 100th trip up LeConte. Jerry, age 72, was escorted by his 8-year-old grandson, Jake Sewell of Dublin, Ohio, who was making his third trip up LeConte. Jerry didn't start his LeConte ascents until he was 60 years old. He has hiked the mountain 55 times in the last three years, which beats my total and I work here. Interestingly enough, Jerry counts his favorite LeConte hiking combination as coming up Bullhead Trail and descending Rainbow Falls Trail. The majority of our hikers prefer to climb Rainbow and descend Bullhead. Have a fine day. Happy trails. 
Marsha
8/9/2013 08:51:45 am
Love that story! If he can do it, guess I have no excuse!
Lori Pearce
8/9/2013 08:52:00 am
Happy Birthday to Dick! I am very impressed and hope to be fortunate enought to be able to hike LeConte on my 85th! What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing this story!
doug y
8/9/2013 09:01:24 am
Now that's a story that really made me appreciate what I have been able to do in hiking in the Great Smokies !! Especially up to Leconte Lodge ! On my first visit to the lodge in 2004 after havng hiked in the Park for the previous 47 years I met a wonderful gentleman who was celebrating his 80th birthday; I have to credit him for inspiring me to finish my hike up; I had stopped for a rest on the trail not knowing I was but abouit a half mile away from the lodge - - for some reason I had become exceptionally weary during my hike and was about to "give up" and head back down, but the gentleman told me I was almost there and asked me to hike on up with him. I may have never begun staying at the lodge if it weren't for him. I was also honored that evening to sit at his family's table and share time with them all and some birthday cake ! These kinds of stories are what make the lodge experience(s) so very nice. I may have to go back to using my old tobacco stick hikng staff so I can cut appropriate notches in it !! Good evening.
Bobby Morrison
8/9/2013 10:03:40 am
Awesome I hope I'm able to hike up the Mountain when I'm 85. I made my first hike up the mountain to the lodge on July 20 2013. Was an awesome experience. Great sack lunch I must say... I hope hike up a few more times this summer but will for sure hike back up the week of Thanksgiving when I'm town. Take care..
Ronette
8/9/2013 10:16:46 am
Love it! Thanks for sharing and inspiring us! Wonderful! May we always honor people more and more as they age. At least I hope so, as someone about to turn 61 and having recently bushwhacked up the mountain by a challenging route. And I will not give up, no I won't, despite any discouragement. I offer homage and praise to Dick McAliley and Jerry Luth!
Becky Moore
8/9/2013 11:26:00 am
Hey Nathan! Justina and I enjoyed talking with you during our stay on the 7th. As always an awesome stay at our favorite place! Thanks to all who make that possible.
Susan B
8/9/2013 02:15:34 pm
Such an inspiration - thank you. I love the mountain and I hope nothing ever stops me. Happy hiking. God bless!
Debi
8/9/2013 02:46:11 pm
Ok, I just had to go out in the garage and count the madaliens on my walking stick. I have 6 on there but a 7th to put on. Started in 2009 same as Brian. I always say, how ya suppose to know how many times you walked up if you don't buy a madelian and put it on your walking stick. Hope that old stick don't break, my husband made it for me. Or I should loose it. Ok, sorry I miss spelled medelain. Please forgive me.
jack
8/10/2013 02:48:05 am
m e d a l l i o n
Hay Hay
8/9/2013 03:53:52 pm
I just LOVE this!!! This is what life is all about! Living the adventure of life and doing it together with loved ones! This makes me happy! :)) Comments are closed.
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