Frigid Temperatures

11/18/2014

Wowzer........It is cooooollllllddddd!!! The low last night was -2 degrees. It is warming up nicely and is currently 0. We had a good time watching Kristin Farley broadcast live from the mountain. As far as we know, that is the first time that has been attempted. The crew did stay the night with us. I am sure they were happy to be in a warm bed instead of on the trail in this weather.

We awoke to 1.5" of snow on the ground. The trails are going to be extremely icy today. Please make sure you have some sort of ice traction for your boots. If you are hiking up today, I would pack plenty of hand warmers and extra clothing to layer with. If you are hitting the trail late, we ask you to call our office so we know you are out there. You can call Christi at 865-429-5704 and let her know what party you are with and what trail you are on. That way we can keep tabs on everyone and make sure you make it to the top safely.

Hwy 441 is currently closed. The Park Service will be working on the road to clear the ice. They hope to have the road open by noon. If you are hiking up for the night, I would suggest taking the Rainbow Falls trail. It will be the most traveled. Please, start early and give yourself plenty of time to make it to the top. We will have the heaters blasting and lots of hot cocoa waiting on you.

16 Comments

Ramsey

11/17/2014 11:43:14 pm

Wish I was there! I would like to make a trip up before the crew heads down. I hope to see the clip online. Stay warm up there.

Debi

11/18/2014 12:05:05 am

I think the whole country is in a frozen stand still today. Were surround in school closings here in Michigan but my son went to school. 19 here, but ALOT colder wind chill. Try to stay warm up there.

Pat N

11/18/2014 12:10:12 am

Great ch 6 coverage! Inspite of the frigid temps and challenging hike, I'm sure Kristin and crew loved the warmth and mountain hospitality topped with amazing views. Wishing them and all who hike a safe trek.

Val

11/18/2014 12:18:14 am

Loved the coverage! How exciting it must have been for you all! Was wondering how many people it took to pull that off & also wondering if they hiked all their equipment up? What was used at their power source?

phillip

11/18/2014 02:41:26 am

I think that there's something called a "battery" that they used.

norman

11/18/2014 02:48:05 am

good reply, phillip!! just watched the vido clips, made me want to be there.

Val

11/18/2014 03:44:00 am

It was live feed and a few live reports over the evening. Seems like it would have taken many batteries or a generator, Sounds like a feat to orchestrate! :)

bryan

11/18/2014 06:23:23 am

They had a few dozen squirrels running madly in barrels generating electricity for their cameras !

Barbara

11/18/2014 02:34:51 am

loved the Channel 6 report. Scenery was beautiful as ever. Great job!

Rebecca

11/18/2014 03:41:48 am

How great to see such a wonderful story in real time about the lodge. Quite a fitting send off for you. It was also nice to hear from Ruthie. Your love of the Smokies and this area is so apparent and appreciated. The info on your next ventures was icing on the cake...or should I say Mt. Top!

Jim Huskey

11/18/2014 03:58:04 am

Do you have a site where we can go and see the video for those of us who are out of the area and can not get ch 6 ?

Val

11/18/2014 04:57:17 am

The web site is WATE.com then scroll down just past the first news pic to "Latest Videos", looks like there is a video from each segment they did!

Jim

11/18/2014 07:31:46 am

Thanks!

Larry Hill

11/18/2014 04:25:00 am

Good Morning:

We are Pawpaw and Nana from the not so beautiful west end of the state. This is our first attempt at blogging. We were introduced to this site by our 28 year old son after wrangling a MArch 30, 2014 date at Leconte Lodge due to a cancellation. We are fortunate enough to have family that has a house on Douglas Lake and we spend as much time there as possible. Since I'm approaching seventy and a frequent visitor fo the Lazy Boy, the assent up Alum Cave Trail to Leconte Lodge was something Nana and I had to think about. But ultimately the challenge won out. We are beginning our regiment in hopes those not to used muscles will function enough to gain us those magnificent views for which Mt. Leconte is famous. We are looking forward to a memorable experience from one of the most beautiful places in the eastern United States.

After viewing Channel 6 Fox News, we were saddened to learn of Chris and Allyson's departure as caretakers of the lodge. We thank them for carrying on the tradition started so many years ago by Huff. Sorry we did not have the opportunity to meet either of them but with that said, we wish them God's blessins and speen in their next endeavor

Jarrett link

11/18/2014 05:21:17 am

The news coverage looked good. To bad it was so chilly up there recently.

phillip

11/18/2014 09:03:28 am

The lodge is over 6,000 feet up. "Chilly" is NORMAL ! 'To' bad.

Frigid Temperatures

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