Cool Breezes on the Mountain

7/17/2013

Chris and I made our way back up the mountain. It was humorous to think the whole way up, I just wanted it to rain on us. By the time I got home, my clothes could be wrung out. It was like walking through a thick blanket of humidity. We came across some kids that had hiked ahead of their parents. While talking to them we discovered they did not have any water on them. Chris pulled out his water bottle and gave it to them. It is so important on days like yesterday to drink plenty of fluids. Make sure everyone in your party has water bottles on them. I drank two liters with out even trying. All in all, it was a nice hike up. We got here just in time. The clouds started rolling in and we heard thunder in the distance. Luckily, the clouds moved out just in time for sunset. After being in the heat, it was good to be back to the cool weather on the mountain. The high was 72º with a low of 53º.

Debi

7/17/2013 01:22:03 am

72 is perfect weather, although its 85 and rising right now in Michigan, I will not complain!! Snow will be coming soon enough. When I came up July 4th I had 2 bottles of water, thinking that's enough. I usually don't even drink my 2nd one. I drank them both and needed more.

tomk in SC

7/17/2013 02:01:27 am

In the summer I recommend the following to our group:
Alum: 3L
Bullhead, Rainbow or Trillium: 4L
Boulevard or Brushy Mountain: 6L
At least a third of that should be a sports drink containing potassium and sodium to replace salts.
The body can absorb about 1L per hour and in the summer you likely lose that much and more to hikers are deficit spending fluids.
Dehydration isn't a problem until it IS a problem and then it is problematic. Folks that complain of muscle cramps at the top are cramped because of insufficient salts.

Brian N bama

7/17/2013 06:12:57 am

Debi, did you say SNOW?!?!?!?!!?!? Wondering if it might snow on us in october. hmmmm, if not, maybe in november again...: )

Jeff

7/18/2013 05:28:48 am

My wife and I hiked up on the 16, stayed the night and back down on the 17th. This was our first trip to the LeConte Lodge. We came up Alum. It was an amazing adventure that we hope to do again sometime. The staff was great! The food was good. Meeting fellow hikers was awesome. We were amazed and inspired by how clean the mountain and trail was with so many visitors. Thank you so much and keep it clean!

Connie Houk

7/17/2013 02:48:19 am

Isn't God a great artist! Thanks Leconte for the beautiful picture.

rosie@englishmt

7/17/2013 02:52:41 am

rosi@englishmt

7/17/2013 02:59:47 am

Sorry now that im signed in!! Hiked up on July 10th after @
29 yrs of wonting too! After back and hip surgery in jan this year! I wonted to do it now incase of more surgery!! IT WAS SO SO BEAUTIFUL!!! YOU GUYS ARE BLESSED TO BE UP ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD TO ME!! Now i can say been there marked it off my bucket list!!! coming back up oct. to spend the night! we went up alum cave!! 7 hrs up and back not bad i dont think for a train wreck like me!!!!

Kent

7/17/2013 03:43:04 am

I don't think I've ever hiked in the Smokies during the summer without hearing that distant rumble of thunder at some point in the afternoon.

On a totally unrelated note, here's an article I came across this morning via The Great Smoky Mountains Association on Facebook. It's a perfect example of what not to do when encountering bears in the park. If a ranger had witnessed her getting that close this mother bear and her cubs, she would have been looking at a sizable fine for her idiocy.

http://www.country-magazine.com/photography/animals/encountering-the-three-bears/

Richard from MA

7/17/2013 05:15:44 am

Looks like the editorial staff came to their senses and retracted this article. Sometimes people need to be reminded -- the wild animals in GSMNP -- as in all national parks -- are wild. They are not pets or tamed animals. We should respect their space, respect their diets and, most of all, respect their right to be wild.

Kent

7/17/2013 06:25:03 am

Probably a good thing they took it down. I read the comment stream and there was plenty of acrimony over this woman's stupid behavior.

When a mother bear begins to send you not--too-subtle warnings to back off and you ignore them, that says volumes about your lack of intelligence.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments about respecting life in the wild.

Holtknoblady

7/17/2013 04:02:51 pm

Bears are common place where I live, WNC, and I serve on a bear task force to help educate people. Not only do we have to protect people from bears but the reverse as well. A fed bear is a dead bear .Be respectful of these creatures. Keep our bears wild and safe!

doug y

7/17/2013 06:24:03 am

Your account of the kids who had hiked ahead of their parents and ad no water was indicative of many such instances that happen on a daily basis in the Park and out on the various trails. It never ceases to amaze and bewilder me how careless people can be, so unprepared and unthinking. It's what leads to accidents and tragedies. I don't know how old those kids were but everyone should carry at least a pint of water or so. I also wondered about the wisdom of them getting out ahead of their parents, but if they were old enough then that might be only my overconcerning personality - - I worry about children like that; it's left over from way back in 1969 when I helped search for the Martin boy (age 7) who wondered off within sight of his father and no trace was ever found of him. On the other hand, it is always delightful to see children of all ages oout hiking and enjoying the park. I wanted to come back over this week after spending last weekend tent camping and bicycling the Cades Cove loop, but some of my art work is on exhibit here and I needed to remain home for that (Facebook - Laurel County Public library). On my last friday afternoon loop ride I think I mentioned that I came across some poepl who were attempting to feed a bear as I pedaled by; I reported it as soon as I reached the ranger station there, although I don't know if they had time to catch those idiots. It's crazy to feed those bears. Just another bewilderment for me. Oh, hello to J & R A. ! G'day all.

Chris H

7/17/2013 10:26:22 am

It reminded me of the time some buddies and I hiked out to Ramsay Cascades and we arrived while the little ten year old girls in jelly shoes were leaving with their chaperones, and the time we hiked to LeConte in February (in 4 feet of snow) and encountered a group of teens, one of who was wearing SHORTS!!!!. Some people have no sense.

Jim Herman link

7/17/2013 09:09:31 am

Hiked up July 8, 2013! I thought I was prepared, but alas was not. Five hours up; one hour on top, and four hours down, all on Alum. Something I've wanted to do for years and at age 70 was tough! So beautiful! Have been reading the daily post for many years. I WILL BE BACK AND IN BETTER SHAPE! My photos of trip are on youtube.com/jfherman

Kent

7/17/2013 09:32:39 am

Congratulations on making it to the top! I enjoyed your video of the journey. :)

Don Kaufman

7/17/2013 10:28:49 am

Really loved your pictures on youtube! It was just a week ago today (2 days after your trip) that I and my daughter and 2 grandkids hiked up the trail and spent a wonderful night "atop the hill" in Cabin 8! Your pictures brought back so many memories, step by step! Thanks for sharing!!! (Let's go again!)

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Cool Breezes on the Mountain

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