June 17, 2024

Good Morning,

​Varying layers of cloud and fog weave in and out of peaks and valleys this morning. The rising sun and warm temps will try their best to burn off what coverage remains in an attempt to provide clearer skies over the mountains. Anyone hitting the trails early today should enjoy it while it lasts, as the clouds are expected to thicken as the day progresses. Storms are slated for this afternoon and early evening, so don’t dilly-dally near the summit after throwing down some lunch and acquiring that “I Hiked It” shirt. At the moment, today seems to be the only day calling for precip this week. The trade-off for sunnier skies is that conditions will be considerably hot and humid across all elevations over the coming days. Temps will range from mid 50s to lower 70s all week along the higher peaks of the park.

This is the time of year where folks who don’t take these elements seriously get a real scare on trail in the form of heat exhaustion or dehydration. Preparation begins days in advance of your Mt. LeConte ascent, by building up your body’s energy stores and properly hydrating. Then once you are actively exerting yourself during the hike, you’re still taking steps to stay nourished and hydrated. That way your energy level sustains from trailhead to lodge, and you don’t run into the figurative and demoralizing wall partway up. Medical rescues in these types of conditions are unpleasant and frustrating for all involved, especially when they can be so easily avoided with some decent and doable preparation. Whether hiking the mountain alone or with a group, please look out for each other, knowing when to take breaks, and even when to turn around.

Have a great day.