June 08th, 2015

6/8/2015

Bear "618" just waking up after having a work up and a GPS collar from the Park Service.

Good afternoon everyone! So sorry about the absences of blog yesterday, we were busy catching a bear! Bear "618" got the full work up from the Park Service, including a brand new GPS collar to see what he is up to when he isn't hanging around with us.
Yesterday's high was a very warm 67 and the low was 52. The mountain received .4" of precipitation. Today has been wet and warm, the temperature at 56 and a few afternoon showers coming and going. Stay dry out there!

Sunset last night.

doug y link

6/8/2015 06:51:04 am

If you go a day or more without posting anything I don't get uptight about it because you folks do a great job; this blog is but an extra nicety.
Apparently the facts are, from within the last twenty-four hours or so, that there have been three "incidents" in the Park: a bear attack, and two missing persons cases, one apparently now resolved. But, I am only repeating what I found online under GSMNP news. Unfortunate indeed.

norman

6/8/2015 06:55:38 am

I agree. Doug, you look like you are frozen in time.

doug y

6/8/2015 08:53:03 am

Frozen ? What do you mean Norman ?

norman

6/8/2015 02:15:59 pm

A snap shot - time is frozen - ice cold - Frozen = Dictionary.com Hated to hear about Jenny B!!

elaine

6/8/2015 08:15:24 am

I am in a state of shock over Jenny B. Cannot imagine what could have happened to such an experienced hiker. I thought she had already left for Connecticut which sounds as what her plans were. I followed her blog and met her a few months back at a book signing. She was headed to New England to assist her sister who is having health issues. Kent, I am so sorry for your loss as I know you two had been close. I need to pinch myself to make sure this is happening.

Kent

6/8/2015 11:55:15 am

Thanks, Elaine. Jenny gave me a deeper appreciation of the Smokies, as well as being a great off-trail mentor. I did my first off-trail hike up LeConte via LeConte Creek in April -- solo. It Probably wasn't a wise decision, but I chose to to do it because she was unable to hike with me that week. When we had dinner a couple of days later, she seemed suitably impressed I'd completed it.

I will continue to pursue the passion she instilled in me for off-trail hiking. I'd like to follow in her footsteps and do all 12 Streams of LeConte in her honor. I'm sure she will be beside every step of the way.

I know how you feel, it still seems unreal right now. I'd like to wake up and find it was all a horrible dream.

TwistyP

6/8/2015 08:54:46 am

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/2015/06/08/hiker-missing-in-gsmnp/28678953/

My condolences to Jenny's family and friends. To all hikers that enjoy the GSMNP, please learn from this terrible tragedy. The Park's official website states "Always hike with another person. Keep your hiking party together and stay on officially maintained trails." These safety tips do not come with a disclaimer stating that "experienced" hikers should disregard. Mother Nature shows no leniency towards the experienced or injured. If you choose not to follow these tips, you should at very least notify an emergency contact of your travel plans. If you choose not to listen to me, copy the above link and listen to what the Park Rangers have to say.

Steve

6/8/2015 09:08:39 am

Hikers will always hike solo. It's our nature and heck, if I didn't hike by myself I would never go, because no one can ever fit your schedule. Don't allow yourself to be over come with a fear of death, just be smart and leave behind an itinerary in case something happens. It's terrible news when something like this happens but how many of us will be so lucky to pass doing what we love. Peace to Jenny.

Val

6/8/2015 12:44:38 pm

I agree totally, amen!

Ron Adams

6/8/2015 10:22:45 am

I tend to agree with TwistyP. Take a friend along. That makes all the difference in the world. And if you go "bushwhacking," and go off-trail, then chances of anyone finding you in any reasonable length of time decreases immensely. If you must hike alone, tell someone where you are going, what trails,etc., and what time to expect you. Otherwise, you are just risking your life unnecessarily.

TwistyP

6/9/2015 01:56:52 am

I'm encouraged to see a common theme in many of the posts in this thread: Leave your plans with a friend! By doing this, you are not diminishing your adventure in any way. You still get your solitude, element of danger, or whatever else you seek. By the accounts of the blog participants at GoSmokies and StreamsandForests, this poor lady was missing a week before anyone knew it. You can't help but wonder, if she had been reported missing after a day, would this story have a happy ending?

Doug y link

6/8/2015 11:09:41 am

Some individuals say always hike with a friend; good advice. Some individuals say hike alone and let someone know your route, trail, plans, etc.; good advice. I could sit in a rocking chair all my life, never take a risk, and I might just live a long time. I could get in my car, drive to the grocery store, and get killed by a drunk driver or more likely these days, by some idiot texting while driving ! I've taken a lot of risks all my life and have had an exciting and adventurous time ! Where does one draw the line ? I love hiking alone and I accept the risks and will continue to do so. To live in fear is far worse a way of living. Yes, I'll let someone know where I am, etc. Well, it's a personal choice. I, too, am saddened by thus tragedy.

Kent

6/8/2015 11:57:54 am

Very well stated, Doug. I couldn't agree more.

Doug y link

6/8/2015 01:13:01 pm

Well Kent, I appreciate that. I never got to meet Jenny B, and I sometimes didn't agree with her, but I had a deep respect for her experi ences, abilities, insights, and courage. I've overcome knee surgery and I am darned well going to conquer this pinched nerve I now have, and after I do I would be honored to be able to join you on some of those cross-country hikes. Anyway, that is a fitting tribute to her. G'day

Kent

6/9/2015 03:54:44 am

It would be an honor to explore the outback of the Smokies with you, Doug. Take care!

6/8/2015 07:07:16 pm

Where to draw the line? How about when pursuing your personal whims endangers the people who have to risk life and limb to rescue you from unintended peril. That seems like a pretty good line to draw.

phillip

6/9/2015 01:17:35 am

Cp: Where to draw the line ? Really. Rescuing others who innocently get into trouble and danger is an accepted part of our society. Accidents happen, conditions change, factors at best are variable, so, stay at home if you wish, the rest of us will follow our passions and should we experience difficulties there will be others who are ready to assist regardless of unintended risks.

Steve

6/9/2015 01:52:01 am

Some sit at home and read the blog and hash old experiences here, others do it!

elktonbrant

6/9/2015 03:49:55 am

My wife and I are the type of hikers who stay on the trails. We don't have the experience to bushwhack, and both of our directional skills are challenged despite a wonderful GPS device we carry with us.
That being said, I do understand the allure of getting away from the sometime traffic jams on the lower half of Alum and instead working your own way up to the top on a creek bed or making your own trail.
Each of us accepts a certain amount of risks in every activity we undertake in life; a life lived without risks isn't a life really lived. I never met Jenny (except from reading her blog), and she was Living. Doug and Kent, when you go off-trail, you are Living. When my wife and I made it to the top of LeConte two months ago despite her severe pregnancy-induced asthma attacks, we were Living.
Frankly, I'm not worried about expert hikers bushwacking their way through an unexplored area. I'm far more concerned about "hikers" wearing two-dollar flip-flops, carrying no food or water, and listening to their ipods at top volume, oblivious to anything else around them.
To those who go off trail... keep doing what you love. To those of us who stay on the trail... keep doing what we love.

Kent

6/9/2015 03:58:39 am

Indeed!

Doug y link

6/9/2015 07:00:35 am

Elktonbrant: As was often uttered in the '60's: RIGHT ON !

Franklin

6/8/2015 02:54:05 pm

I didn't know Jenny B. but this is a sad day for all Smokies hikers. She surely loved the GSMNP. I have hiked alone many times and luckily have never had a bad experience. I know what I am about to say will not be popular with a lot of you, but I have never been one to hike off trail. I guess I just don't see the point. Again, just one guys opinion. Happy trails to all.

Tammy (Tx)

6/8/2015 04:00:28 pm

I've been new to this blog in the past year but have visited the Smokies many times in the past 37 years. I have only read Jenny's posts for a relatively short period of time but I admire her courage, her toughness and her love of the GSMNP area. I would love to be able to just take off hiking in the woods alone, but I would never have the nerve. Doug I agree with your comments about the possibility of having something terrible happen to you just staying around the safety of your home. Some of us have (me included) incurable and sometimes untreatable illnesses that we have no control over. We don't know what the next day will bring...or if there will even be a next day. But, I refuse to just sit at home and let my illness control me or let life pass me by. In the past 24 hours I've read Jenny's blog and she seems to be a woman who definately lived life to the fullness! My daughter's are world travelers and we've traveled to 41 of the 50 states and I always tell them you can't see the world sitting at home. No risks, no rewards. No travels, no unique experiences. I hope Jenny's family and friends can find peace. Peace to Jenny.

Tammy (Tx)

6/8/2015 06:29:24 pm

By the way, absolutely gorgeous photo of the sunset! I hope I get to experience one of those beautiful sunsets this fall from high up on Leconte!

courtney link

6/10/2015 03:15:32 am

Our group from Decatur arrived on Monday night (6/8) and aside from our trip organizer, it was the rest of the group's first time to stay at the lodge. I think can safely speak for the rest of the group in thanking the staff for a wonderful night and a great experience. We had a total of 14 kids in our group and all but 4 of them made the hike up and down unassisted! We look forward to our next assent! Stay safe out there!

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June 08th, 2015

LeConte Lodge

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