First Llama Trip of Season

4/2/2013

I awoke to the sun creeping up over the horizon. I have a feeling it is going to be a spectacular day on the mountain. The crew members are ready to have some great weather so they can get out and explore their new home.

The high yesterday was 39º with a low of 18º. It is bone chilling cold this morning. I heard reports of Alum being very slick in spots along the trail. Be careful if you are heading up that trail. Make sure you get some sort of ice crampon before you hike up. WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF YAK TRAKS. We hope to have another shipment arrive within the week. Have a good hike and be safe.

We are hoping to see the llamas today. They are going to attempt to make their first trip up the mountain for the season. Say a little prayer for them and I will keep you posted on their success.

doug y

4/2/2013 12:30:23 am

I hope that the llamas are now underway to the lodge, and I'd love to be following them up ! They are always a delight to watch when I'm able to be on Trillium on the days they are also. I can't quite keep up with them anymore so I usually dart out ahead and wait for them to pass a Grotto Falls, a favorite resting spot. G;day

doug y

4/2/2013 12:31:15 am

oops.........forgot that it's Tuesday.......

Dd/Mi

4/2/2013 12:35:15 am

Hurrayyyy, Llamas~!! Best of luck to you as you make your way through along the frigid pathways...
I wonder why on a Tuesday-? Will the llamas not still be Mon.-Wed.-Fri. travelers?

Debnfl

4/2/2013 01:00:55 am

I hope you have a sunny day on LeConte. Nothing like the warmth of the sun to make the spirit soar. Have a wonderful day! Good luck Llamas!!

Debi

4/2/2013 01:03:00 am

I think those llama's are going to need some yax trax. :) Safe travels to the llama's and their handler.

Barry H

4/2/2013 01:45:06 am

They're coming up on a Tuesday?

Brian N bama

4/2/2013 02:52:04 am

What night do I need to be up top to see them shoot the 4th of July fireworks in Pigeon Forge? Going to try and make it this year to see them.

Debi

4/2/2013 09:42:40 pm

Brian, do you mean Galinburg? If so July 4th is on a Thursday. Bring your wife. And I sure hope we have a good view and are not fogged in.

doug y

4/2/2013 03:15:14 am

I had simply forgotten what day it was....... I know the the llamas make their trek usually every Mon, Wed, and Fri and being my favorite trail I generally schedule my hikes to the lodge on those days. Darned, though, if it doesn't feel like Mon - - maybe I slept through yesterday.......loved the early-morning photo, too !

Steve D

4/2/2013 04:13:29 am

Doug-hey at our advanced age we are allowed to forget! I had a great trip up Alum yesterday, and enjoyed the fog rolling in on the top of the mountain, that is always a treat. Also, I loved seeing the staff again and sitting in the dining room having some great hot chocolate. I got some of those flannel pants they showed on the website the other day, and love them!

Pat N.

4/2/2013 04:12:38 am

Prayers for the llamas, Chrissy, and Alan!...and all who seek the slick mountains!

Troy

4/2/2013 08:22:25 am

Is the llama days still mon wed fri?

doug y

4/2/2013 09:32:06 am

As far as I know, the llama schedule remains Mon, Wed, Fri.
Steve D.: Yeah, I suppose so. Since I took early retirement a year ago I naturally have more time on my hands, time I am intending to spend more of on the trails in the Smokies, including a small business I'm working on related to hiking and camping. I sometimes let my days run together, especailly if I get engrossed in a particular project, which I probably have too many of ! I do several things to hopefully keep my mind sharp, and my legs are still there. I know they'll both go one of these days, but I'll fight that with all the ferocity I can muster ! I was thinking the other day where I would be right now had I started staying at the lodge well before 2004. If I had begun,say, a few years after I started hiking and camping in the Park, {1957}, I believe I'd certainly have many more visits to my credit, probably a record number of them, although I have little interest in records; but as far as records go, I can think of one that I don't believe anyone has mentioned, much less attained. Well, spring is apparently trying its best to leap out and descend upon us, and I will welcome it; but I do enjoy the winter and this past one I believe I got in more hiking, day hikes mostly, than I ever have during that season, and enjoyed it immensely !! Why do we hike !? I wrote a short essay on that the other day, and perhaps will post it soon. I can just close my eyes and envision all the eager hikers making their way up the mountain this very moment !! Lucky people !! Good afternoon.

Barbara

4/2/2013 09:52:43 am

Your picture today is all the poetry that I need. What a gifted photographer you are! Can't wait to get back up there.

Jill

4/2/2013 10:01:40 am

I would love to see the llamas. My family will be hiking to Mount Leconte tomorrow. Any news on the trail conditions, especially Bullshead?

Chuck

4/2/2013 01:59:45 pm

Were trying to start on Rainbow by 10 Wednesday.

Amber

4/2/2013 02:16:39 pm

Doug Y.,

We just hiked down from a 2 night stay on LeConte, and because the llamas couldn't make it yesterday, they were sending them up in hopes that they would make it today. I hope that is helpful with the confusion. There were some trees down and ice and such on Trillium. We were the first hikers down Alum this morning and it was extremely treacherous near the top.

Leslie

4/2/2013 03:39:48 pm

We are hiking up via rainbow falls tomorrow on Wed. Are yak tracs necessary for this trail?

Steve D

4/2/2013 04:36:05 pm

Leslie-if you have them definitely take them, on the last mile you will be glad you have them.

Debra

4/3/2013 02:34:20 pm

Love the Beautiful photos! What camera are you using?

doug y

4/4/2013 01:28:38 am

Hmmmmmmm....the only confusion was in my befuddled head !!

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First Llama Trip of Season

LeConte Lodge

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