Good Bye From The 2013 Crew

11/26/2013

You could see hundreds of miles yesterday morning. The clarity was amazing. I know it is hard to tell from this photograph, but the sun was shining down on the towns in the distance and you could see the Cumberland Plateau. That is a rare sight these days.

On to the information I know you are all waiting to hear about. It started snowing last night around 8:30. We had about 2" on the ground when the snow turned to rain. All I can say is thank goodness. It has been raining all night. If it had kept on snowing we would have seen about 8" on the ground this morning. It is currently raining this morning and the temperature is 37º. The high yesterday was 38º with a low of 27º.

The weather forecast is calling for snow later today and throughout tomorrow. We are predicting that we will see 5"-8" possibly more. With this rain, we will have a nice layer of ice underneath the fresh snow. I suggest ,if you are hiking up, to make sure you have some form of ice traction for you boots. Remember to wear plenty of layers. Drink plenty of water and let someone know what trail you are on. Give yourself plenty of time to make it to the top. Start your hike early.

JP should be making his way up the mountain today. I will hand the reins over to him. He will start his posts in the morning.I know you are all looking forward to his musings. I am sure he will not disappoint. I hope you all have a wonderful winter and I look forward to sharing stories with you come next March.

Gina

11/25/2013 11:37:30 pm

Thanks for everything Allison. (and the rest of the crew also). Enjoy your time off. See you on top of the mountain in the spring for my 2014 shirt!!!!!

Kristye

11/25/2013 11:45:09 pm

Allyson, am sending warm wishes to you and all the crew, but would like to send a special shout out to Nathan and his team that were in charge Aug 21st. This was an very special trip for me (I'm the one Nathan mentioned that brought a pic from 1974 with me) and it was just perfect, largely due to the great job you all do. Thanks so much to Nathan and all the staff for a job really well done. Happy Holidays to you all!

chad

11/25/2013 11:46:20 pm

Is the office generally available for signing the log book during winter?

darryl

11/26/2013 12:36:00 am

The lodge is CLOSED during the winter months.......

Artie

11/26/2013 03:16:34 am

Just use your pocketknife to etch your initials and the date into the door frame.

Ryan in Green Bay

11/25/2013 11:53:11 pm

And here is the end of another season. Looking forward to JP's daily insight in dealing with life on the mountain. Safe travels to Hawaii and whereever else the crew goes. Looking forward to hearing from you in the spring.

Amy

11/25/2013 11:59:29 pm

It is wonderful how many folks like me enjoy "viewing" LeConte all year round, thanks to this blog. THANK YOU for your marvelous pictures, Allyson. I look forward to staying in touch via JP through the winter months and your return in the spring!!

dan waits

11/26/2013 12:07:57 am

thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, for your posts this season.

happy winter! looking forward to hearing about it come spring!

Paul B

11/26/2013 12:08:01 am

Thanks for a great season and enjoy your time off. I am looking forward to JP's insights and his ability to increase to my literary knowledge.
You mentioned a few weeks ago the plans for the crew and one of them, maybe Bethany or Caroline, were going to thru-hike the AT. Will they be using Trail Journals and have they selected a trail name yet? I enjoy following the adventurers as they trek their way along the trail.

Lydia

11/26/2013 12:09:13 am

Thank you for another wonderful season "2013 Crew"! Safe travels down the Mountain and during you time off. Looking forward to JP's daily posts and for your all's return in 2014.

Andy D link

11/26/2013 12:16:18 am

All the best you each of you over the winter. Thanks for the multiple cups of hot chocolate and the warning about the pesky bear's return last week!

Debi

11/26/2013 12:20:14 am

Thanks Allyson and crew for all you do. Have a great winter and safe travels where ever life may take you. Looking forward to some Hawaii pictures on your FB
Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Claudette

11/26/2013 12:31:59 am

I so enjoy the post year round. Thanks to all. Enjoy your winter months.

Devin

11/26/2013 12:33:05 am

Thanks for another great season Allyson! Looking forward to getting our fix of winter pictures over the next 4 months!

Tony Ga

11/26/2013 12:34:08 am

Thank you! Enjoy your time off.

Renate

11/26/2013 12:39:25 am

Thank you for everything Allyson and the crew! I hope you all will have a wonderful holiday season and a great winter! Enjoy your time off!! Take care and God Bless!

Vickie

11/26/2013 12:50:13 am

Safe travels!! I truly enjoy reading this daily and love coming on the mountain!! Thanks for everything!!

Stephanie

11/26/2013 12:59:46 am

Enjoy your travels and thanks for a great year of enjoying my favorite mountain through your eyes!!!

doug y link

11/26/2013 01:05:43 am

The winter season is a welcome interlude in the Smokies; fewer tourists, hikling trails with little traffic, and generally a magical winter wonderland. It's a great time of year to hike, if you're properly prepared. For the lodge it's rather a period of rest and renewal, recharging for the next season. Happy holidays for all. I, too, am eager to exchange thoughts and witicisms with JP and everyone else. "N'importe ou vous allez, vous etes la." G'day

Bill Yeadon

11/26/2013 01:20:46 am

Well after this years lack of sunshine you certainly deserve a little R&R in Hawaii. Enjoy, see you in the spring.

jean d

11/26/2013 02:05:08 am

Doug Y, Love your sense of humor and your sign off when you say what you said in this comment. Thanks to my Encyclopedia Britannica dictionary with 7 language translator in vol.3, I was able to look up N'importe and the rest is fairly familiar---so was able to translate. What a "sage" saying. LOL Love it.

The view of the mountains from here was beautiful yesterday morning. As Allyson said the sun was shining and it was clear. That is very different from most days when the haze is so heavy the mountains are hidden from view here in N. Knox county about 50 miles away. The picture, above, from the Lodge is so thrilling. It makes me realize once again the beauty that surrounds us here in East TN.

Best wishes to all for a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and to the crew - a wonderful 4 months "til we meet again"

Look forward to JP's musings. Welcome Back' JP.

11/26/2013 02:42:13 am

Thanks jean d; it's something I've been saying for a long time, and there's actually a wee bit of a story behind it; the fact is that wherever I find myself, well, I'm right there, and have more than likely enjoyed getting to that particular location; after all, isn't the "journey the destination" !? as you live in north Knox county it's probably about where I first spot the Smokies (I think) when I'm hurtling down I-75 on my way to the Park ! by the way, languages have long been a hobby of mine, and a few years ago I could speak five, but in the last three or four years I've gotten out of the habit somewhat; they were long useful when I was overseas at different times, etc. Have a great day my friend !!

Kent

11/26/2013 02:53:34 am

I'm rather looking forward to experiencing the mountains in January for the first time, doug y. Whether or not I make it all the way up to LeConte and back down depends on how much snow is up there. But I'm determined. :)

Thanks to the entire crew for making my three hikes up this year an unforgettable experience. My best to you all and I hope everyone reading this has a great holiday season.

11/26/2013 03:12:20 am

Hey Kent: Sounds great to me ! Just have your traction spikes ready, dry layers of clothing to put on or shed, etc., and perhaps a bit of extra emergency gear ("rescue blanket" and such.....); I think you know all this already my friend ! Yes, the deeper the snow, and it more than likely will be present along with packed-down ice, the more difficult the going, but the rewards far outwiegh the risks in my opinion ! Be careful and enjoy !!

11/26/2013 03:46:10 am

Yep, got my spikes, emergency blanket...and I always carry extra layers. I have a pair of insulated winter hikers, gators, and will have a good headlamp in the pack.

I just know the view from Cliff Tops will be spectacular! :)

Lauren

11/26/2013 01:27:16 am

Thank you for your beautiful pictures everyday. Can't wait to visit again next year!!!

ElConquistador

11/26/2013 01:46:28 am

Everyone have a great winter. Hope you all have fun.
J.P. - looking forward to seeing your musings!!! Hope you have a safe trip up.

Gozzlow link

11/26/2013 01:46:48 am

Thank You for all of the lovely pictures and daily post. Enjoy your winter.

Larry O

11/26/2013 01:48:25 am

I enjoyed my hike up yesterday as always, even got a hug from one of the staff. Thanks to all the crew for making me feel so welcome each time I make the hike up. I will miss those not returning and look forward to seeing the rest of you next season. I may make a couple trips up this winter, but it is not the same without the coffee, hot chocolate, the people you meet and most of all the folks that make this awesome mountain home for eight months. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Pat N.

11/26/2013 01:56:23 am

Goodbye, crew! May the sun shine on all of you! Welcome back, JP!

Gray Barrett

11/26/2013 01:58:30 am

Take care Allison! It's been a treat to read your posts every day!

Melissa

11/26/2013 02:02:03 am

Thank you Allyson, Nathan, and the rest of the crew for a fabulous year! Each morning, I look forward to reading this blog and seeing those beautiful pictures! Thanks for all that you guys for keeping us updated. It was a pleasure to meet you Allyson and a few other crew members when I hiked up with my dad for the first time back in May of this year. We got our picture made with ya while standing there in the dining hall, on that exciting day! I continue to look forward to another hike back up next year. Hope you guys have a great winter and some much needed time away in the sunshine! I welcome JP's daily blog entries and his winter excursions on the mountain and await those beautiful pictures of snow fallen upon Leconte! Till next season, farewell and happy winter! Take care

Gail Boudreaux

11/26/2013 02:15:42 am

My hubby and two of my grandsons are up there right now; sure hope they are staying dry and warm! Take care!

Joy

11/26/2013 02:25:02 am

Have a wonderful and blessed time off! Looking forward to JP's posts, so glad JP is coming back !

vicki

11/26/2013 02:38:41 am

Can't wait till next fall..my hubby and I will be staying there...

Teresa c Masengil

11/26/2013 03:10:29 am

Thank you all. This trip was one of my high life's. Thanks for the trip back each day in you words. Have enjoyed it so. Best to y'all, see ya next spring.

Susan B

11/26/2013 03:47:43 am

To all the Crew - Thank you! We enjoyed our time up in July and meeting Nathan and Chrissy and the rest of the crew. We wish we didn't live so far away. Enjoy the time off and we will see you next season.

Happy Thanksgivng! God Bless!

Tina

11/26/2013 04:06:03 am

Thanks to all the crew. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and a blessed Holiday Season. Looking forward to JP coming back.

Missy

11/26/2013 04:33:30 am

This blog is one of the reasons we decided to make the hike up and stay at the lodge this year. It was one of the best experiences the Hubs and I have shared as a couple & turned him into a hiker. Yay! We are looking forward to a 2 night stay next year.

We hope everyone is finding good uses for their glacier blue Swiss Army knives. =0)

Thanks again for your dedication to your guest and passion for the lodge. Hope everyone enjoys their time off and come back refreshed next year.

High on LeConte

11/27/2013 03:09:53 pm

Missy,

Thank you kindly for those blue Swiss Army knives. I was down on days off when you hiked those up for us, but the rest of the crew made sure I got one. The knives certainly come in handy as we're always needing to open up some boxes during our daily chores at the lodge. I didn't have an address for a proper thank you note, but we all appreciate your thoughtfulness. Come back and see us in 2014. Happy Thanksgiving and happy trails.

Nathan

11/28/2013 02:30:29 am

Nathan - I meant to put a note in the box but I forgot in my packing haste. I'm glad that you and the crew all liked their knives and will be able to put them to good use. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will be visiting for 2 nights in 2014. Looking forward to meeting more of you next year. I hope you and the rest of the crew enjoy their time off. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Trails to you as well. =0)

11/26/2013 04:46:10 am

I wasn't coming back here for a while, but after watching the weather predictions on tv for the last hour or so I just felt like adding that it appears that we're going to experience some real winter weather in the next 48 hours, give or take, and it looked like the Smokies even now are smack in the middle of some of the "heaviest" activity for snow and such; Of course, my present comments certainly won't help anyone up at the lodge for this last night of their season as anyone going should be on the trail(s) by this time; I hope that everyone gets there safely; Tomorrow their descent could prove to be a challenge ! I pray that all can get down safely ! G'day

Jenny Bennett link

11/26/2013 11:42:33 am

Seconding Doug Y's words for those going UP the next few days. Think heavy fleece mittens with gore-tex shells; traction devices on boots (microspikes are by far the best in my experience); hot beverage in thermos container; multiple layers that can be adjusted.

11/26/2013 05:15:00 am

I may not comment on here very often but I want to thank ALL the crew for another wonderful season on top of Mt Leconte!!! (from my chair!!!) I WILL get up there oneday!!! Looking forward to the winter with JP!!!!

Rich

11/26/2013 06:23:32 am

What a great season! Too bad I had to watch from a distance and was not able to make it to the top this year. Our plans were some of those dashed by the government shut down. We tried a couple of times since to arrange a trip but it just didn't work. We even had permits for the shelter last night but our trip fell through at the last minute. I hope we will be able to make it to the top during our Christmas trip to the area, if so, were there any 2013 shirts left? Will they be available for purchase at opening next season? If not, I guess we will just have to have one made that says "I would have hiked it 2013".

11/26/2013 09:10:23 pm

Rich, they usually have a box of left over shirts from the previous year in a box for sale. We have got sweatshirts before. May not be the color you want, but they will have the last year.

Rick

11/26/2013 07:40:47 am

Bye to the summer crew and hello to the winter crew. Thanks for all the pictures and post this summer and fall. You guys leaving have fun over the winter and stay warm. Winter crew we welcome you. Happy Thanksgiving.

Tim G

11/26/2013 08:46:18 am

The weather man from channel 8 Knoxville said you may get 9 inches of snow on Mt LeConte before its over. Be prepared and be careful up there!!!! It was a warning for us to see the ROBINS in large numbers heading south after stopping at our house yesterday. You can predict the type of weather by these birds. When we see them again its about over for the cold weather. I worked for Ma Bell for 25 years and they never missed it while I worked outside for 21 of those 25 years!!

Mary, Ohio

11/26/2013 10:21:37 am

Happy Thanksgiving to all the crew . I wish you all a safe trip off the mountain . Enjoy your holiday plans, travel and time with family and friends! Thanks for all you have done to let us all enjoy our favorite mountain. Hope you will all be back next year. Blessings!

11/26/2013 01:08:34 pm

Artie, why would you recommend someone deface property atop LeConte just to put their initials somewhere? Or were you jesting? I'm sure the JP would have some objection to this form of signing one's name.

11/26/2013 01:15:48 pm

I'm sure Artie was just hiding, but there are people that stupid, just look at the cabins in Cades Cove.

11/26/2013 02:26:44 pm

OK, I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say Artie was joking. I usually like the super-earnest tone of these comments but sometimes it gets in the way of understanding what people really mean. OK, go ahead and get on my case for this.

11/27/2013 12:56:58 am

I thought I typed kidding, I am sure he wasn't serious nor was he hiding.

Jay

11/26/2013 01:33:55 pm

I got to experience LeConte for the first time in May on a day hike. I immediately fell in love with the mountain and an overnight stay is now on my bucket list. Reading the daily posts is a part of my daily routine because it reminds me of why I can't wait to make that hike again. By the way, in the photo I'm the one waving at you from the Cumberland Plateau. Have a great winter.

Tennessee Texedo and Chumley

11/26/2013 04:43:13 pm

Thank you Whoopee

TT&Ch

11/26/2013 09:54:47 pm

Stanly : Swiss Army knives

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Good Bye From The 2013 Crew

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