August 25, 2020

Good Morning,

Monday on the mountain was a steady mix of clouds and sun with only the occasional light rain rolling up from the south. It made for a pleasant day to spend in the outdoors and enjoy life above 6,000 feet. Today’s forecast should be much the same, with a slight chance of a mid afternoon shower. Temps will continue to be as they have been. The next several days don’t appear to pose much of a threat weather-wise. Early forecasts show TS Laura kicking up to hurricane strength in the Gulf soon and eventually tracking across the entire length of Tennessee in several days. Depending on how it holds together, there could be increased rain and wind potential come late Friday and most of Saturday. Of course this all remains very fluid this far out.

The bee population atop Mt. LeConte is enjoying life to the fullest with so many of the flowering plants at peak bloom. If you find a spot in camp away from crowd noise you can hear the light hum of their buzzing as they dance from coneflowers to monkshoods. Just in the last few days the gentian along Alum Cave have really opened up. Always entertaining to watch the bees tuck themselves inside the blooms.