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August 08th, 2015

8/8/2015

 
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Woke up above the mists.
     Good morning and a lovely Saturday to you all! For some reason that is beyond me, the text of yesterday's post didn't actually post yesterday...my bet would have been on the weather. It was foggy, misty and cool yesterday. The high was only 58 and the low was 48 and we received .35" of rain over the course of the day. Today, however, it is sunny and warm again, already at 61 degrees. 
    And now, continuing our new crew introductions, let me introduce our newest crew member, Brian Evaul. 

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Hi, my name is Brian Evaul. At 34, I may be the old man on the mountain (except when Alan or Tim show up!), but I don't feel that way as the new guy on crew. I've been on LeConte since May, but I already feel like a part of the big Framily we have up here.
I'm from Chattanooga, TN by way of Western North Carolina and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I love Chattanooga because so much has been done in the area to restore and highlight the local wilderness areas. It is a beautiful place to live for an avid hiker. I also love it because my fiance, Valerie is there working on a degree from UTC. She is also an avid hiker and we spend most of our free time on various Cumberland Trail segments and at the Chickamauga National Battlefield.
Although I feel at home in the woods around Chattanooga, I could say that about any wilderness. I've always felt more at peace miles away from everything.
In the late 90's I worked for Camp Living Water in Bryson City, NC. It is right on the Park border at Deep Creek and I spent many nights under the stars there. One summer I guided on the Nantahala River for a large rafting company.
In 2000 I completed a North to South AT thru-hike. I went North to South because, like Treebeard, I believe walking South always feels like walking downhill.
In 2001 I joined the Navy. At combat photography training in Maryland I enjoyed the woods, battlefields and monuments in the DC area. Then I was transferred to central California and was there able to visit such marvels as Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite as well as the High Sierras. In addition through my travels in Joshua Tree, Death Valley and the Mojave I learned to respect and love wilderness in a desert setting as well. "Join the Navy and see the world," they say while forgetting to mention that 70% of the world is water. Nevertheless, I'm proud to have sailed on all 7 seas, across both the Prime Meridian and the Dateline, the Equator and the Arctic Circle. I've visited Hawaii (Oahu and the Big Island), Guam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and the Arabian desert around it, Kuala Lampur, Perth, and Afghanistan, just to name a few.
Since returning to Chattanooga in late 2006, I've done some trail building on the Cumberland Trails and worked for a long time at a large, well known Chattanooga book store. I'm currently writing an epic Science Fiction Novel and a trail guide to the Chickamauga Battlefield as well as whatever photo project the Mountain inspires each day - or night.
Fate brought me here to LeConte and I love where I work! For a writer and photographer there is nowhere more inspiring. The new view and new animals and new flowers and new visitors we get everyday make this job a joy. I love my crew Framily and the bond this place creates. That's what the wilderness does to people. Those who visit join an elite and uniquely united group simply by being there. Going where few venture holds the same value today as boldly going where no one has gone.
Sally G. link
8/8/2015 03:42:08 am

Brian, thank you for sharing your story. I appreciated your kindness to me, an old lady, who managed to make it to LeConte on July 21 and for your awesome photo of our group on the 22nd. Best wishes to you and your fiancée.

Tracyg
8/8/2015 03:47:53 am

Thank you for sharing your story and welcome!!! Thank you for your service. I hope you continue to enjoy your time up top. Best wishes to you and your fiancé.

Tammy ( Tx )
8/8/2015 04:19:28 am

Welcome Brian! I like the setting of your photo...at first glance, it looks like you are emerging out of a cellar or some place underground! My father-in-law was retired Navy and like you, he got to "see the world". He passed 27 years ago, but he always had stories to tell of his travels. Hope to meet all of you in October!

elaine
8/8/2015 04:24:21 am

Gorgeous picture (why would I expect otherwise). Brian, what a pleasure to met you and hear your stories of your many adventures. Always envy those who had the motivation to follow their dreams wherever they took them. Such a rich and varied life experience!

Donna
8/8/2015 06:01:08 am

Welcome Brian and thank you for your service! Go Navy!

Barry Glasscoc link
8/8/2015 07:36:41 am

Brian, Aloha, Hahia Adai, and Howdy from a retired hillbilly Sailor, thanks for your service and enjoy the wonderful place in which you live for 8 months out of the year.

norman "ga. rebel"
8/8/2015 07:58:39 am

Welcome Brian, wondering about statement, "by way of Jackson Hole, Wy." ? Been there once in 06. Airborne Army myself. Love MtnLeconte, only been there twice, but would love to return, but due to medical conditions and other things; probably will never happen.? I check the blog at least once a day for pictures and post. Gerat picture today as usual! HAGA

LuAnne
8/10/2015 02:26:40 am

Hi Brian, we are (almost) neighbors. I'm from Cleveland. Just like you, I love all the opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in our neck of the woods. The Cherokee National Forest is one of the best.

PrayerWalker link
8/13/2015 06:38:11 am

Brian, thank you for your service to our country. Glad to hear you are enjoying your time at Mt. LeConte; we've hiked up several times and love to stay overnight. Our youngest son, is presently in the Army and also completed the photography school at DINFOS in Maryland. He recently returned to Maryland after tours in Afghanistan and Belgium. Looking forward to your posts and your beautiful pictures.

Cincy
8/19/2015 02:30:58 am

Brian, thanks for your service! We made it up LeConte back on July 21st (my 50th birthday) and you helped check our exhausted family into our cabin. Your customer service was top-notch!


Comments are closed.
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