Different Sort of Resupply

3/24/2013

Our trained volunteers help direct a load of supplies to the ground.

From atop Mt. LeConte to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

One of the 44 porters carrying supplies to our camp on Kilimanjaro.

Sitting in my room on this rainy sunday morning, I drifted back to my winter adventure. It was interesting comparing how we resupply the lodge to how the porters resupplied our camps on Mt. Kilimanjaro. I was forced to put into perspective the small daypack I was carrying to the top.

The nimble porters scaling the wall with loads on their shoulders.

Our devoted volunteers run ragged for a couple of days to make sure we get the supplies on the mountain to take care of our guests. I was in awe to watch our porters risk life and limb to get supplies to camp each night. After talking to them I realized how important these jobs were to them. The jobs brought money to their communities that normally would not be there. After watching these courgeous souls, I declared I would never gripe about my commute up Alum Cave trail again. They helped make our adventure a trip of a life time.

That is the start of many stories to come. I am saving them for rainy days on the mountain.

As for the weather up top, the low last night was 31 with a high of 39. We received a little over 1/2 an inch of rain. It warmed up enough to help melt off a lot of the snow of top. I do not know what the trail look like. We did not see many day hikers yesterday. I would guess from experience, that certain areas of the trails still have patches of ice. Make sure to wear your rain gear and bring layers of clothing to put on when you get to the top.

Brian

3/24/2013 02:55:27 am

Any other comments on weather coming in, or contact with anyone hiking tomorrow, Monday? Have 7 and 8 year old and trying to determine safety.

Thanks,
Brian

Tom

3/24/2013 04:35:18 am

Looks like a cold and somewhat snowy forecast for Monday and Tuesday.

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-LeConte/forecasts/2010

3/24/2013 05:09:56 am

Brian - get out the heavy winter gear. Will be very windy up top with wind chill below zero. NWS has issued a winter storm watch for Monday and Tuesday (see below). Be careful.
Winter Storm Watch Remains In Effect From Late Tonight ThroughTuesday Afternoon For The Higher Elevations Of Southwest VirginiaAnd Northeast Tennessee And The Smoky Mountains...

Snowfall Accumulations Of 1 To 4 Inches Will Be Possible By Tuesday Afternoon In The Lower Elevations Below 2500 Feet... With 4 To 8 Inches Possible Across The Higher Elevations Above 2500 Feet. Locally Higher Amounts Of Up To A Foot Will Be Possible By Tuesday Afternoon Across The Highest Elevations Above 4000 Feet.

3/24/2013 05:24:26 am

Tom,
Thanks for your reply. We have been watching the weather advisories. Any comments on how well the trails are marked considering the snowfall amounts?

Liz

3/24/2013 09:05:55 am

Brian, our current plan is to depart from Rainbow Falls trailhead about 8:15. We have a 8 and 12 year old. Maybe we will see you there. Larry

FlAndy

3/24/2013 02:22:19 pm

Hiked up 3 years ago in 12"+ snow and heavy snowfall with my 8 and 10 year old... took us 9-10 hrs to do a hike we normally did in 4-1/2 hrs. It was a tough hike but in the end we were very glad we did it as it was one of our favorite and most memorable trips yet. Layers, layers, layers, gloves and face coverings for the kids. We also had crampons for all of us on that trip up Alum. Only thing we regretted was leaving via Boulevard that year as the ice / snow on the north facing cliffs at the top were the scariest hiking I have ever done - and we have backpacked a lot in differing weather. So, prepare well and allow plenty of time and you will be fine and make unforgettable memories with your kids. I am jealous as I treasure the times I am able to hike LeConte in the snow. If I wasn't 10 hours away in Florida I would love to be day hiking in snow over the next couple days.

J Barnes

3/24/2013 09:30:30 am

Brian - potential heavy snow is forecast for the Smoky Mountain area Monday 2:00 am until Tuesday 6:00 pm. I'm not sure if you are staying the night or just day hiking. In either case I'm not so sure I'd be making the trek up with my 11 year old and he's hiked a lot. Each individual is different and different kids have different tolerances for things like snow, rain, cold. Only you know your child the best. However, with the predicted snow I'd say be VERY cautious. There's nothing wrong with not going over safety concerns. Discretion is the better part of valor sometimes. Here's a link to the NWS forecast - http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/USTN0196?phenomena=WS&significance=W&areaid=TNZ074&office=KMRX&etn=0003. Good luck! I hope this stuff is moved out of the area by this time next week. We'll see.

3/24/2013 09:59:14 am

Trails are well marked. I've never been on the trails when there was significant snow but I can't imagine you wouldn't be able to see where the trail went. On alum there really is no trail intersecting anywhere until you get within a 100 yards of the lodge. Rainbow has a trail intersection that goes to the trillium access trail and also one closer to the top but there are signs, at least there was a couple of years ago when I hiked rainbow the last time. They are made of natural wood and routed out with no paint so yo might have to get up close to read them. I always take a map/compass just in case something happens and I need it for some reason. Alum basically winds up the side of the mountain(s) on the way to the lodge. The trail is very obvious. Hope that helps.

Debi

3/24/2013 03:35:20 am

Wow, those guys must have muscles popping out of their ears. I can't imagine carrying that basket on my head.

Tim M

3/24/2013 03:36:52 am

I was up yesterday via alum cave bluff trail and found myself agile enough to glide over most of the slushy icy stuff. Trekking poles seem to help balance out things if you're not using ice traction. In my opinion, there wasn't enough ice to use any traction devices. On the way down about 4:30pm from the top, it seems as if nearly half the ice had melted away. Probably fine today. Who knows what the forecasted winter storm will bring. Good Luck!

Josh Branson link

3/24/2013 04:13:11 am

Would it be possible for you to send me some information on the company you used for logistics and squaring away porters in Africa? I would like to organize a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro for my clients, and of course...myself!

Tommy

3/24/2013 04:22:25 am

Good Sabbath Morning,
I am immensely enjoying your photos and reflections of youlls trip. I am amazed at how people all over the globe find a way to scratch out a living. Those porters make me feel lazy and ashamed to use the term " daily grind ". What youll do to provide food and sleep for overnight guest at LeConte Lodge is still incredible. I look foward to seeing you'll soon and having a cup with the crew. Tell my friend I said hello and we will see him soon down in the valley.

elktonbrant

3/24/2013 05:12:31 am

It's good to see that your knack for getting just the right pictures translated to another mountain on another continent. Thanks for a great first "rainy day" story!

Gina

3/24/2013 06:16:59 am

Amazed

Chris

3/24/2013 09:14:17 am

Just visited sugarlands visitor center to inquire about trails for tomorrow. I was told Alums would be inaccessible because of road closure tonight. They said best bet will be Rainbow falls and even then the are not sure the roads will not be closed before science center or at airport road. So I guess we shall wait until the morning to see if we have any options left. I hope and so does my 7 year old that we are going to be able to keep our reservations. Hopefully we will see y'all tomorrow. Any advice tonight or early in morning would be great. Thanks.

Barbara

3/24/2013 12:58:02 pm

I wonder what the altitude was in the picture of the porters. What great balance and how did they balance the baskets on their heads on the steep bits - 1 handed?

The "catchers" of the helicopter loads must be fairly nimble as well. How much do those netted loads weigh. Big job.

???

3/24/2013 03:58:08 pm

Big job as I ...

3/24/2013 07:26:19 pm

I wait for a better job but con not a risk It is 26 years porter at university in town.

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Different Sort of Resupply

LeConte Lodge

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