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Happy Holidays

12/26/2010

 
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Hello everyone. This is Allyson. The resident manager and blogger during the season. I thought I would take a moment to share some images from Gatlinburg and show you what we are experiencing in the "lower elevations" . Chris and I took a walk and snapped some shots for you. The image above is looking out over Mt. LeConte. I am guessing they are getting their fair share of the white stuff as well. We have about 9" around our house at the moment so I am guessing Alex is looking at about a foot and half if not more. 
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Since I am snowed in at the moment and I have lots of electricity, I thought I would answer some questions for you about how the blog works and what exactly the winter caretaker does. 


First of all, the lodge has a limited amount of solar panels that provide electricity. Now, as you can imagine, when LeConte is getting bad weather, there is not much solar to produce power. We have a bank of batteries that stores a limited amount of electricity. One has to be very picky about how much "juice" you will need in case you do not see sun for a while. Alex is not able to run his computer all day because he has limited amounts of electricity. 


As for what the caretaker does. He is there to call in the weather and look out for the lodge. The caretaker works with the National Park in an emergency situation. As you can imagine, when the weather is bad, there are more emergencies. Unprepared hikers, late hikers, and more injuries. The park service will ask the caretaker to assist on any rescues around the lodge. 


Now, on to how the caretaker passes time on the mountain. I like to call those of us who love working up top a "special breed". I can say that because I am one. Many of the crew come to the mountain to enjoy a simpler life and have time to enjoy nature. Alex has said he is learning different music, the art of homebrewing, and I also know Alex is a great artist. Many caretakers take the winter job for a chance at solitude. They are usually people who like peace and quiet and want a chance to be alone with their thoughts. 


This blog was continued after last winter, as a way to share the weather conditions and some of the amazing views we experience from the top. As for using this site to plan your visit, I started a forum page so people could share with one another their experiences and advice on climbing the mountain. I would not rely on this site for contacting people, figuring out road closures, or any other trip planning. Due to the unreliable conditions, we are not always going to be on the computer. The National Park has a great site that will share road closures, weather information, and any other emergency issues that may arise. I hope this answers some of the questions. 


Oh yeah, one more answer. The camera that is being used for the photos is an entry level Cannon point and shoot digital camera.  I use a Nikon P5000 point and shoot and a Nikon D200 during the season. 

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Have a wonderful holiday and I will be back before the winter is over. I will share some photos from other hikes around the park. I hope everyone has a happy New Year. 
Paul Benzinger
12/26/2010 08:15:06 am

Thanks for the update. I always enjoy the posts from you and Alex. I could swear that second photo is from a real life Narnia!

Donna
12/26/2010 08:32:15 am

Thanks Allison, Love the pictures!

Bill Yeadon
12/26/2010 08:36:36 am

Living in Gatlinburg or at least dealing with Gatlinburg has to be a tremendous change from up top.
Enjoy your off time.

Sandra
12/26/2010 10:42:12 am

Allyson, you answered several of the questions that I've been wondering about. I love the mountains but because of physical problems, I can't hike LeConte, so I experience it through the blog & these incredible pics. Thanks for sharing the mountain with the rest of us!

John
12/26/2010 11:01:19 am

Thanks Allyson for the update. Hope you had a Merry Christmas in Gatlinburg.

Sandee link
12/26/2010 12:02:42 pm

Thank you Allyson, sorry for my post earlier but you sure cleared up a bunch of questions that I had about what Alex actually does up there! I LOVED reading your response and look forward to reading more about the life on top of the mountain! :)

Stefanie
12/26/2010 12:24:20 pm

I enjoyed reading about winter at LeConte. I get into the lodge on a cancellation each year and love every minute of it. Although I know your job up there is not an easy one, it has to be one of the greatest jobs on Earth. Thanks for all you do.

Donnnie
12/26/2010 10:39:12 pm

Thanks so much for the info..Very much appreciated ! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Terri
12/27/2010 01:19:41 am

Thanks for letting us know what Alex is doing up there on down time...thanks to you and Alex for sharing pictures...love it

Jacque J
12/27/2010 02:09:59 am

Allyson, good to hear from you. Hope you and Chris had a Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year! Thanks for the beautiful pictures. Looking forward to ones from around the park. Would love to be there with all the snow. How much hiking do you guys get in in weather like this?

Allyson
12/27/2010 02:16:36 am

@Jacque- we don't do as much hiking as we should. I guess after living in it for 8 1/2 months, sometimes we just enjoy looking at it from a big window in our house. We are leading some hikes during Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge. This event happens in January. Chris and I are making it a goal to get out and use our snow shoes more this winter. If we succeed, I will post some photos.

Ken T
12/27/2010 03:04:04 am

Allyson, Thanks for the comments and Pics. Happy New Year. We will see you for a couple of days in April.
Ken and Harriett Taylor

Dana P
12/27/2010 04:25:13 am

One of my sisters lives in Cosby and said they have 12+ inches of snow and about 2 more inches expected so I can but imagine what it is like in the higher elevations. We just got a dusting in West TN but that was enough to make the bad drivers even worse drivers! Now NOAA is predicting 60 for us on Friday and the potential for severe t-storms and possibly isolated TORNADOES! WT*!!!! Crazy Tennessee weather.

Pat N.
12/27/2010 11:01:57 am

Great photos and GREAT to hear from you again. Wow! You really have a lot of snow. We'll wave to you when we fly over Thursday on our way to the Gator Bowl. Hope you had a super Christmas.
Happy New Year! We enjoy the daily posts by Alex as we continue to bond with LeConte from Michigan.

Robert Geer
12/28/2010 07:02:38 am

Allyson,
I'm climbing on Friday. Is there anything Alex would need/want that I could put in my pack. I could leave it where ever he wanted that was critter safe.
Robert

Peyton
12/28/2010 07:06:51 am

Peyton
12/28/2010 07:07:53 am

In the 'avatar' photo with the icicle formation - I'm guessing thats from one of the trails on the way up?

Looks like with the upcoming warm snap the area may get a big melt off. I got to make it up there at some point!

Allyson
12/28/2010 07:20:20 am

@Robert- I think Alex is on vacation until next weekend. There is a substitute person up there. I would guess Alex will be hiking some things up himself. Thanks for the offer. That will help keep your pack lighter. :-)

Jason R.
12/29/2010 01:51:52 am

Thanks for the pictures!!!! I love hiking in the mountains and I hope to be able to experience the snow very soon there.

Judith J.
1/3/2011 08:36:26 am

Reminds of of "Mr. Edwards" from the
Little House" Christmas show!

Barbara burnet
2/3/2011 01:26:47 pm

Beautiful photos Thank you !


Comments are closed.
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