July 30th, 2015

7/30/2015

Blue wildflower moon rising.

Good morning from a rare early blog post! It's foggy up top, but warm this morning, already 60 degrees. Yesterday's high was 71 and the low was 54 and we received .05" of rain in the very early morning hours of the day today. And now, I'd like to introduce you to Kenneth in his own words...

Hi, my name is Kenneth and this is my first year as a crew member here on Mt. LeConte. My Passion for cooking and love of hiking has brought me here from my hometown of Knoxville, TN to fill the role of assistant cook.
My desire to spend as much time in the woods as possible lead me to complete a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2013. It was an amazing experience. Though upon returning to Knoxville, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing. That something, I came to realize, was the peaceful environment of the mountains. To watch the wildflowers bloom out of the kitchen window and feel the cool mountain breeze against my skin has been a welcome change from life in the city.
It fills me with joy to be watching the seasons change up here. As the snow thawed and the squirrels came out in full force to rejoice in the coming of Spring, I sat cozy in my cabin sipping on my daily cup of tea, content with listening to their playful chattering. Now the coneflower and bee balm are in full bloom and the warm sunshine makes their colors even more radiant. I look forward to the dazzling fall colors and the time when the firs will droop under the weight of fresh snow again, but most importantly I am so thankful to be living in this present moment. I feel so blessed to live a life working on this mountain.

Chris S link

7/30/2015 01:12:00 am

Good morning indeed! It was nice to find the early morning update. I used enjoy reading them with morning coffee but can understand how the days activities dictate when you are able to post them.

Kenneth it's good your have had the opportunity to follow some of your dreams especially one like hiking the A.T. I also look forward to enjoying the fall colors and cool temps that fall will soon bring.

My wife and I haven't made a day hike to the summit of LeConte so far this year but look up at the summit each day from our home and often think about how nice it would be to be there each morning. We will finally visit the lodge again this October for our overnight stay.

On a side note my family was recently surprised to find a LeConte memorial in the Yosemite valley floor. To our surprise it was dedicated to Joseph LeConte, the brother of the man for which our favorite mountain was named.

Sally A. Guthrie link

7/30/2015 01:31:05 am

Kenneth, thank you for the beautiful reflection on your life on the mountain. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you when I was there last week.

TracyG

7/30/2015 02:05:10 am

Thanks for sharing Kenneth. May you continue to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the mountains. Blessings.

Franklin

7/30/2015 02:17:19 am

Good morning Kenneth. Excellent introduction and post today. You are indeed lucky to be living and working on the mountain. It's so important to live in the moment wherever we find ourselves. Life is hectic and it is easy to forget to be thankful for our blessings. We all should take time to relax and savor the joy of just being alive. HAGD

Amy Taylor-Brill

7/30/2015 02:18:13 am

Hi, can you give me the GPS coordinates for the lodge? My husband and I are hiking in and staying at the Lodge in August and I wanted to create a route on my garmin. Honestly I am good with topo map and compass, but not so much with GPS unit, so I want to practice creating routes etc. Thanks!

ric

7/30/2015 03:08:25 am

google "gps coordinates for leconte lodge". you get the parking lots and the lodge. what model garmin do you have? i have a fenix watch and it not very accurate for measuring distance walked.

David

7/30/2015 03:10:28 am

Hi Franklin

Coordinates for the trails are at this link.
http://www.lecontelodge.com/about/hiking-trails/

If that helps. You have a great experience ahead of you. I'm envious.

7/30/2015 03:15:40 am

Little more info. The Mt. LeConte Backcountry Shelter is very close to the Lodge so you can use those coordinates

Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
View Interactive Google Map

•N35 40.539 W83 29.142 — 0.0 miles: Rainbow Falls Trailhead
•N35 40.238 W83 28.965 — .5 miles : Trail bends away from Le Conte Creek
•N35 40.035 W83 28.708 — 1.0 miles : Steady, moderately steep climb
•N35 39.788 W83 28.263 — 1.5 miles : Cross bridge over Le Conte Creek
•N35 39.739 W83 27.852 — 2.3 miles : Rainbow Falls
•N35 39.862 W83 27.772 — 3.1 miles : Steep, rocky climb through diverse forest
•N35 39.990 W83 27.667 — 3.6 miles : Trail moderates with partial views
•N35 39.888 W83 27.221 — 4.2 miles : Trail steepens through 5,200'
•N35 39.717 W83 27.147 — 4.6 miles : Strenuous climb in thinning forest
•N35 39.457 W83 26.899 — 5.2 miles : Bull Head Trail split - turn left
•N35 39.306 W83 26.541 — 5.65 miles : Alum Cave Trail split - keep straight
•N35 39.248 W83 26.434 — 5.8 miles : Trillium Gap Trail split - keep straight
•N35 39.202 W83 26.330 — 5.95 miles : Mount Le Conte backcountry shelter
•N35 39.251 W83 26.196 — 6.2 miles : Mount Le Conte summit (6,593')

Dar

7/30/2015 02:28:02 am

Nice thought provoking read Kenneth, it sure made my mind wander back up the boulavard and the peaceful porch of the cabin we stayed in up there, one of the most magical times i can remember is the full moonlit night ( just like last night ) i spent just wandering around the mountain that trip.....

norman

7/30/2015 02:42:57 am

Great early morning post, loved it!! Kenneth, know what you mean about Big city compared to the wilderness.. HAGD

Steve D

7/30/2015 03:04:22 am

Welcome Kenneth!

Jan

7/30/2015 03:14:35 am

Thank you for sharing your insights. Something about that setting can totally recalibrate one's spirit. My family was lucky enough to be there two weeks ago and haven't been able to keep my head "out of the clouds" ever since. Can't wait until we make it back. Peace and best wishes to you and the crew.

Linda

7/30/2015 03:47:55 am

Kenneth...congrats on your completion of the AT...quite an accomplishment!
What a beautiful tribute to your life on the mountain! Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

Tammy ( Tx )

7/30/2015 04:16:53 am

Kenneth, I too have a passion for cooking and a love of the mountains! Can I "adopt" you as one of my kids? Then I'd have help in the kitchen and a reliable hiking buddy. Just teasing you...hope you are having a great first season! Beautiful full moon pic, Ruthie, as usual! Peace ya'll!

Gsmnene

7/30/2015 04:42:57 am

Well! We Made It Up & Back! What A Day Hike!! My Body Is Not Liking Me Right Now! Lol But, I Got And EARNED My Shirt!! We Went Up Rainbow & "Bushwhacked" Down Bullhead. What An Adventure! By FAR The Most Extreme Thing We Have Ever Done!!! It Was Such An Awesome Feeling Reaching The Lodge & We Didn't Want To Leave! Matthew Was SO Wonderful & My Hubby & I Enjoyed Talking To Him. We Also Enjoyed Watching The Doe & Her Babies Feeding. It's SO Humbling Meeting People On The Trail And Everyone Encouraging Each Other To "Push On" To The Top! It's SO Worth It!! I Was Very Envious Of The People That Got To Stay. But, That's Okay! Someday, We'll Hike Up & Stay For A Few Days, Too. It Was Also Very Reassuring Meeting Nicholette & Brad On Bullhead! They Let Us Know We Only Had A Mile & A Half Left To Go, When My Hubby & I Felt As If We Were Gonna Have To Spend A Night In The Woods. Lol The Crew @ Leconte Lodge Is One Of A Kind!! I Hope People Appreciate Them As Much As My Hubby & I Do. :)

TwistyP

7/30/2015 05:32:37 am

If I may make a suggestion, Ruthie, please consider informing tonight's guests that they will have an opportunity to view the International Space Station beginning at 10:17 and ending at 10:23. It will be traveling from SW to NE and will pass directly overhead. I always thought it would be neat to view this from the top of TN.

tomk in SC

7/30/2015 07:11:51 am

Several years ago we watched the shuttle which had just disconnected from the space station, just a few degrees apart and about 30 degrees above the horizon. As such things go it was awesome, I always check things out at www.heavens-above.com before I go.

doug y link

7/30/2015 03:32:31 pm

TwistyP; thanks for reminding of the ISS passing overhead this evening; It showed right on time from exactly the compass direction you mentioned. Was easier to observe it with the naked eyes than my binoculars and the duration over head was rather swift as stated. Being a bit of an amateur astronomer I enjoy the night sky. The moon rising in the east didn't deter from the spectacle either. Yes, it would have been great to have seen the station from the Lodge. G'evening.

7/30/2015 07:52:09 am

Tomk in SC, what a treat to get to see that! On several occasions, we had the opportunity to view a space shuttle traveling overhead in the sky on it's way back to Florida. We would stand in the front yard and watch as it came in and then out of view. The day Columbia went down over Texas was a sad, sad day! Sorry about being off topic again!

Quigley

7/30/2015 01:28:55 pm

Consider yourself very blessed being able to work and live in a wonderful place. Experiencing those special moments that the mountain reveals to you makes you a very lucky person. Have a great day!

norman in ga.

7/30/2015 01:53:58 pm

To get off the subject, does any body know what happend to Barbara McMollum's blog site "Hiking with Lipstick"? It has not had a new post since March 12, 2015.!

7/30/2015 05:55:05 pm

Norman, at the risk of getting pelted with rotten tomatoes, that blog is now on Facebook and there have been some recent entries.

7/31/2015 02:06:30 am

Thanks, I'll delet it from my book marks and I don't do Facebook, but my wife does ; 'rotten tomatoes' are not! Have a great day.

7/31/2015 03:18:16 am

By the way, what are the blue wildflowers??

Rick

7/31/2015 04:26:25 am

Norman did you ever hear what happened to Jenny B ?

7/31/2015 04:57:37 am

Rick, I have not hear the latest on her since her death! Sorry, maybe some else knows..

Allyson

7/31/2015 04:35:30 am

Norman, the flowers are purple monks hood. The lighting is making them look blue in the picture, but they are a beautiful purple.

7/31/2015 08:24:49 am

Allyson, if you are Allyson former lodge crew, I appreciate you answering the questions some of us have. When I first looked at that beautiful picture, I thought the "blue" flowers was just the full moon casting a blue hue over the mountain in the back, until I enlarged the photo. Again, thanks!

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July 30th, 2015

LeConte Lodge

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