January 10, 2024

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!

They always say, “What a difference a day makes!” Now we’re back to about two inches of snow! Yesterday was wind and rain here on the mountain.

Highway 441 going up to Newfound Gap is still closed. The temperature here at the lodge is 14 degrees with partly cloudy skies. We received about two inches of dry powder snow overnight.

Yesterday was exciting when Mt LeConte was drenched with 3 inches of rain between 6:00 AM and Noon—after getting over 2 inches of rain during the previous 24 hours. I have decided to name the stairs in front of the dining room LECONTE CASCADES! Water was flooding down the stairs, around the kitchen, and down the Trillium Gap Trail.

Shortly before noon I passed thru the dining room on my way to the manager’s office and discovered water from the flooded stairs coming in under the front door! I stopped the leak as quickly as possible, and then mopped up seven 3 gallon buckets of icy water off the dining room floor. Fortunately, I was assisted by a fellow winter caretaker and cook. All’s well that ends well!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert