August 10, 2017

Good Afternoon All,
     Let’s start off with wishing “Happy Birthday” to our own Allison Mayes today.  The crew wasted no time in bombarding her with various versions of the popular tune associated with such an occasion, as well as pizza and desserts prepared by Heather for lunch.  Allison recalled a conversation with her family earlier in the year where she wanted to spend her birthday on Mt. LeConte.  This was before she knew she’d actually be living on the mountain as crew.  Funny how things work out!  At least we aren’t making her work this afternoon on her special day.
     We didn’t see much in the way of liquid precipitation yesterday, collecting a mere 0.1” of rainfall.  Expect a higher total tomorrow morning as we’ve already seen some intermittent showers roll through since daybreak.  Wednesday’s high temperature reached 64 degrees, and our overnight low fell to 49.  It’s currently in the mid 50’s here at the lodge.  Rain gear?  Rain gear.

One possible route for the TLC, beginning in Cherokee Orchard, shuttling up US 441, and ending in Greenbrier.

​     It’s time for another LeConte Thursday Throwback, spread across various dates in the mountain’s more recent history, but all pertaining to the same objective…conquering all six of Mt. LeConte’s trails by foot in a single 24 hour period.  The feat, first conjured up and completed by locals Lee Lewis and Mike Povia on November 7, 1993, goes by several different names today.  The most popular of which include ‘All 6 Trails to LeConte in a Day,’ the ‘Triple Summit,’ or a personal favorite, the ‘Tour de LeConte Challenge’ or ‘TLC.’
     The task requires three ascents and three descents of the popular mountain with as little trail repetition as possible; hence, the inclusion of Brushy Mountain Trail out of Greenbrier.  There are so many possible combinations when it comes to determining a route of attack, but out of the convenience of shuttling and time restraints, only a handful make the most sense.  The combinations will also affect how much elevation gain and loss one would encounter, but the average attempt comes out around 11,000 – 12,000 feet of change both ways.  Distance wise, you’re talking a total of 44.7 miles by trekking each trail in its entirety while excluding side ventures to overlooks and such.  A few of us who have completed the challenge try to keep up on the latest attempts.  To our knowledge, at least fifteen different people have successfully completed the six-trail challenge since 1993.

An elevation profile of one of the most popular routes. Up Rainbow Falls, down Trillium Gap, up Bull Head, down Alum Cave, shuttle to Newfound Gap, up The Boulevard, down Brushy Mountain.

     As previously mentioned, Lewis and Povia brought life to the challenge, completed the trek in 22h:29m back in 1993.  Since its inception, hikers and trail runners have tackled the mountain out of curiosity and conquest.  To date, the fastest known time (or FKT) belongs to regional running hero, David Worth, who kicked up the dust in a blazing time of 10h:4m.  David was a former NPS Interpretive Ranger here at Mt. LeConte back in 2010 and 2011.  He is also the current FKT record holder for running the Appalachian Trail through the Smokies.
     So far, only two females have completed the TLC, which coincidentally happened on the exact same day of May 31, 2014.  One of whom is the lodge's own Bonnie Northrup. Since both groups that day took different routes, they never crossed paths, and completed the challenge in about the same time, unknowingly.  The number for most completions currently belongs to John Northrup at four, ranging from 11h:5m running to 19h:30m hiking.  Yours truly is chomping at the bit to garner number five, but is patiently waiting for Bull Head to be officially reopened. Most attempts have utilized an automobile to shuttle between certain trailheads, but one completer actually did so via bicycle!

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David Worth set the FKT for the challenge back in August of 2011. It still stands at 10h4m.

Bonnie Northrup is one of two females to successfully complete 'All 6 Trails in a Day.'

     The TLC is one of the Southern Appalachian region's best challenges.  Its scenic beauty is unparalleled, and it's special to be able to absorb every angle of Tennessee's famous mountain from sunup to sundown.  We're situated in a great arena for trail running between the greater Knoxville, TN and Asheville, NC communities, so it's only a matter of time before more names look to the conquer the mountain.
     After Worth's record setting attempt, he wrote about his experiences on the trail to which I believe many of us can relate and appreciate...
     "I enjoy these sort of challenges because at the end of the day there are no cheering crowds and no finishers medals, you are alone with the trail and the truth of the situation. Quiet moments on the trail and an honest sense of fatigue are reward enough. There are purists who argue against these speed hikes and runs, viewing them as nothing more than a continuation of our hurry-up culture. For me, a day of trail-running is more than a simple race against time.  It's how I've come to appreciate the trail the most. Thoughts of grocery lists, school work and everything else yet to be done take a back seat.  I'm able to experience the trail directly, without mental chatter."
                                              -David Worth 8/7/11

John Northrup is ready for a nap after completing his fourth TLC in 11h5m back in September 2014.

     This is just one of many ways in which folks have been drawn to Mt. LeConte.  As I always tell fellow hikers and runners on the trail, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you go, or how many miles you churn, as long as what you're doing is something you enjoy.
     "The mountains are calling, and I must go." - John Muir
     We hope to see you up here someday, in whatever way suits you.  Have a great rest of the afternoon, and thanks for reading.