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1/28/2011

High 20, Low 11.

Oh man, a Leconte reality TV show.. it's really not that interesting up here, haha. Y'all are crazy. There's 22" of snow on the ground, and much higher in drift areas, we had some really windy days. I'm ready for some more snow! maybe later on this weekend.
The boulevard hasn't been travelled since november. As of the new snow, Rainbow, and Bullhead are both broken. Alum, Trillium and Boulevard have not.
Today is the final day of my fast, i'll be hiking around a little today to get some better pictures.

Rod link

1/28/2011 01:03:08 am

I don't know Alex, Dick Proenneke has a pretty large following. You might want to reconsider the reality show idea and get yourself a 16mm Bolex camera! (perhaps a documentary?) Hmmm, up until now I was just kidding, but now that I think of it, this might be a good thing for National Geographic to produce!

What's everyone else think?

1/28/2011 01:12:07 am

I would watch a reality showw or a documentary on Leconte!! The only time I have seen Laconte is on this blog and from a distance!! This year will be different!! I WILL hike up the mountain this summer!! I want to see it with my own eyes!!

Paul

1/28/2011 01:42:45 am

If you go to youtube and search on Mt LeConte there are a number of good videos that have been posted.

Greg

1/28/2011 02:02:36 am

Alum is broken the first 4 miles up. I planned on summitting yesterday but didn't get to start until 12:15 due to the road closure of Newfound Gap Road until 11:30 am. The trail was easy to navigate but dangerous in a couple of places (a rockslide took out a few cables and huge icicles were falling at Alum Cave onto the trail). I was really saddened to turn around without summitting, but I had no lights.

Patrick

1/28/2011 03:09:18 am

Alexander Hughes starring in... "Where's The Coffee?" A Bunny Ears Production.

Allyson Virden

1/28/2011 03:23:48 am

Greg- I applaud you for making the safe decision and turning around. The mountain is not going anywhere. There will be another day for you to make an attempt. That is smart hiking.

Dana P

1/28/2011 03:29:09 am

Alex,
You may indeed get your wish for more snow. NOAA is predicting another winter weather storm to hit west TN Monday night thru Wednesday. And they are using the word MAJOR to descibe what may transpire. God bless you hearty souls who love that cold, white stuff.
As a footnote for all the Nature lovers out there...I encourage you, if you have not, to watch the series "Planet Earth" on the Animal Planet station. It is fascinating. Last night they presented the show about Desert Life and one about Caves, a 300 foot pile of bat poop and the cockroaches that feed on the droppings and anything else that is unfortunate to fall...YUCK... but it kept me "glued" to the TV, pun intended

sandee link

1/28/2011 04:09:00 am

I still think a couple mounted cameras in just the right places could prove for some interesting viewing! hee hee

Dana, considering how you are "buggy" ( pun intended, lol ) I can understand how cockroaches feeding off bat pooh could keep you glued to the tv!!

Greg, better you than me on that trail, my citified tush is content checking on the snow from my couch! ;)

Off to make some cards, everyone stay safe and warm!

Dana P

1/28/2011 04:49:13 am

Sandee,
What grabbed my attention was the fact that the ONLY place in the cave those specific cockroaches were found was on and in the bat feces...it was literally moving there were some many roaches. Made my skin crawl! Also, there is a type of crab, which surprised the researchers, living off the bones of the bats that fell into the feces and were consumed by the roaches.

Lala

1/29/2011 12:20:35 am

Sandee and Dana,

Everyone, especially hipsters like Mr. Alexander himself, know about Planet Earth!

Donnie

1/29/2011 03:29:36 am

I dont know...but Im thinking a short 1 wk. winter "SURVIVOR" series directed by none other than Alex himself lol. All main trails to Leconte to be hiked in 5 days etc..etc..etc.

Kellye

1/29/2011 07:35:11 am

I've been researching LeConte for a few hours now and it is amazingly beautiful. I would like to bring my family up there in April or May. Is the hike up too hard for 5 and 4 year old girls? They've never hiked anywhere unless you count my family farm which is 77 acres and completely flat. Also, how is weather during that time?

Allyson

1/29/2011 08:56:54 am

Hi Kellye,
I can only tell you that the lodge has seen plenty of kids your daughters age. the trails up to the lodge are long for kids that age. It really depends on the child. I would post this question on the next page. LeConte forum. Let some of the hikers tell you about it. As for weather, April is guaranteed snow at some point during the month. Last year, it stuck around for the better part of the month. May is warmer but you will see rain. It is typical spring weather in the mountains. Hope this information helps. Good luck and hope to se you up top.

Dana Owen

1/29/2011 12:19:39 pm

Kellye,

I knew my kids and by gradually introducing them to the outdoors I insured that they grew to love it and not dread it. At 4 and 5 we played around the creeks, looked for wildlife walked some of the simplier park trails like Laurel Falls and roasted marshmellows. The park has several programs for kids just see what's posted. Charit Creek Lodge in the Big South Fork is a nice first time experience. You hike to the lodge, spend the night and there are several interesting trails. The trail down to Fall Creek Falls is also a nice first time experience that is a little challenging going back up. Hope this helps.

Dana

Dana Owen

1/30/2011 06:34:55 am

FYI***In her book Hiking and Backpacking A Complete Guide by Karen Berger Chapter 11 "Kids" beginning on page 194 she has some good insights concerning hiking and children.

Meg

1/30/2011 01:03:51 pm

Kellye,
My 6yr. old daughter hiked it last July 5th. She beat me to the top by hiking with her much older brother. If this is their first hike it might be a little long. Maybe you could hike some shorter trails first to get them use to hiking. Just be prepared to bring lots of water!My kids carry their own camel packs. Lots of luck and have FUN.

Marilyn

1/30/2011 01:46:54 pm

Just got back in town and viewed "The Site"!. Great pics and dialog. Kelleye,,you asked about 4 & 5 year olds. I have 5 & 6 grandkids and they would never make it up to the top even taking the least strenuous trail. They get too tired. But it does depend on the child. I've seen babies up there (carried by their parents of course) & when I went up in '95 I meant a family (we still see each other the same time every year up there) and they had all boys ranging from 4 to 8. If your kids don't get tired of walking and want to be carried they would probably do ok but the trails are very rough for someone who isn't used to hiking. Someone else suggested Charit Creek and I agree on that. Went last year with some friends and it is a nice hike to the lodge and not strenuous unless you elect to take a longer route, you can get there in an hour or so walking downhill. It is a nice atmosphere with cabins, meals, etc much like LeConte (run by same people I think) but it is less busy and an easier trip. Good starting point to get kids interested in hiking and the outdoors. Smokies is a great place too even if you don't do any hard hikes. They have lots of easy day hikes for kids but if you want the kids to experience sleeping in log cabin in my opinion Charit Creek would be the place to start. They have a site which you can go to and see pics and get info. Just punch in Charit Creek.
Check it out!

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