Brrrrr!

10/4/2014

Oh my, I did not expect to wake up this morning to 25º. It seems on this 4th day of October, fall has left us and made way for Old Man Winter. The high yesterday was 59º. I had a hard time believing folks when they said be prepared for snow, but I am starting to wonder. With only 53 days left in the season, I guess winter is closer than I want it to be.

I keep seeing my little rabbit friend around camp. This makes me happy. Our first season on the mountain, we saw rabbits every where. They seemed to disappear the next season. We figured a predator moved in over the winter and helped themselves to our rabbit population. We have not seen many over the last 12 years. It was a delight to see our little friend and several more over the last couple of weeks. I just hope another predator does not move in over the winter. It reminds me how much this mountain can change from season to season. I guess that is why so many people come back year after year. Their visits are always different. There are a lot of things that remain a constant on the mountain, but there are plenty of things that change and make each trip a different experience.

I want to take a minute to remind everyone, 2015 is just around the corner. If you have not ordered your 2015 LeConte Calendar, make sure you do so. You can enjoy images from your favorite mountain as you jot down your hectic schedule. Hopefully the photos will bring a smile to your face and peace to your soul. The calendars are available on our website. Just click on the link and it will take you to our online store.
http://www.lecontelodge.com/store/

14 Comments

norman

10/4/2014 01:28:01 am

glad, and hope.

Stephen

10/4/2014 01:54:23 am

What changes are noticed with plant life after the first freeze up top? 25 seems like a pretty good freeze...and tonight should belower I would expect

Dawn

10/4/2014 03:53:48 am

Hi! I love reading the posts everyday but am having a hard time seeing them I noticed others are saying the same. Did you change the color of your font? Please help us out so we don't miss staying connected. Thanks.

Donna Cutcliff

10/4/2014 04:13:44 am

Hi this the Cutcliff party of four that has reservations for Saturday night (today). About 10 minutes from alum cave trailhead we received an emergency phone call that one of our parties son was being admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery. We have turned around to take her back to Alcoa TN so she can drive back to atlanta. the remaining 3 will be heading up late not starting until after 1 which will push us hard to be there by dinner time. We just wanted you to know that we are coming but our arrival will be much late than originally planned. Thank you, Donna Cutcliff Hi this the Cutcliff party of four that has reservations for Saturday night (today). About 10 minutes from alum cave trailhead we received an emergency phone call that one of our parties son was being admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery. We have turned around to take her back to Alcoa TN so she can drive back to atlanta. the remaining 3 will be heading up late not starting until after 1 which will push us hard to be there by dinner time. We just wanted you to know that we are coming but our arrival will be much late than originally planned. Thank you, Donna Cutcliff

High On LeConte

10/4/2014 04:56:02 am

I apologize for the mobile device changes. The host site changed our settings and I was not aware. If you are reading from mobile device, you should see I have corrected the matter. Thanks for letting us know.

gwen

10/4/2014 06:28:04 am

Thank you for always being so upbeat in all the posts, it's such a pleasure to read all the goings on.
We've got reservations on Nov 13, it's our anniversary and one I'm sure we will remember. We were planning on taking the Trillium Gap since I've got less than great knees and I read somewhere we'll have to come another way. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!!!

tomk in SC

10/4/2014 06:45:05 am

Any trail UP is fine. Either Alum UP and DOWN or Bullhead UP and Rainbow DOWN. In either case, I am of the opinion that a great set of poles and some experience using them makes a huge difference for the knees, especially on the descent. Rainbow is rather rooty (trip hazards) but not terribly steep. Bullhead is steeper, but going UP it is not bad at all. Going down it is relentless. Do you have/use poles?

Jenny B. link

10/4/2014 08:45:29 am

Ha, ha! I have this argument going with Tom K about poles.I honestly believe that poles are a liability. Use them, indeed, if you want to lurch from one pole-supported position to another. Much better to use your own leg muscles. OK, Tom, here we go!

Kent

10/4/2014 09:38:02 am

I carry trekking poles primarily for defense against bears. If one ever charges me, I plan to ram it right down his throat. Hopefully, that will save my life.

But seriously, trekking poles are helpful for alleviating knee pain on long descents. But I do agree with Jenny's point about depending more on your leg muscles. It's a bad idea to use trekking poles like crutches. I'm a little guilty of that myself.

Brian N bama

10/4/2014 10:22:52 am

I always us poles...not as a crutch, as an assistant when my kness decide they want to blow out...alieve will only get you so far..just my opion..hike your own hike,,,thats what I say..HAPPY TRAILS....
PS. Allyson, tell that bear to leave....I had a shelter hike planned...LOL

elaine

10/4/2014 02:03:18 pm

Gwen' I am a woman of advanced age. I just wanted to add advicefrom my perspective. I use my trekking poles when I climb Leconte. I have found that especially with the steepness of Alum, the poles are invaluable in giving me a needed boost and go easy on the knees for the long climb. I also have the worst sense of balance imagineable and find the poles invaluable in helping me maintain my balance. As Tomk said, I practiced them on hikes at home before I took them on the big climb. I'm sure you'll have a most memoreable anniversary!

shannon Frost

10/4/2014 11:22:29 am

We have a party of 4 planning to hike up Alum Cave Trail tomorrow morning. Would love to spend the night in the Lodge if anyone cancels. Sunday Oct 5

Brandon

10/4/2014 02:10:23 pm

Great day up on the mountain. I hiked up Trillium Gap this morning hoping that the cold front brought some clear air and spectacular views, and I wasn't disappointed. With a good enough zoom, you probably could have read the license plates on the cars in Pigeon Forge.

I was a little surprised when I met the first group of overnighters heading down and they told me about the 25 degree low. I had guessed maybe 35 based on the low in Knoxville. When I got higher, I saw icicles hanging from the rocks near the top. I guess this is our first taste of true Fall. The hot chocolate and a little time by the heater was much appreciated when I got up to the lodge.

Justin Phillips

10/6/2014 01:25:16 am

My wife Donna and I hiked up Alum Cave Trail Friday October 3 and stayed the night in cabin #9. Pouring rain most of the way up. We had an awesome stay that night. The dinner was great and the hospitality shown by the staff is the best Ive had anywhere.Big shout out to Ruthie who took great care of us at dinner and breakfast! We also made so awesome new friends Les and Sarah Howell. It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. The camera cannot even reveal what our eyes and hearts saw and felt. Thank you all!! We will be back!

Brrrrr!

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