Just another day on Mt. LeConte

4/20/2012

Yesterday turned out to be an eventful day. We awoke to such an awe inspiring vision of the clouds drifting below us. The morning started out with our usual breakfast service and seeing the guests off. As we sat down for lunch we received word that one of our guests from the previous night had fallen on Alum Cave trail and possibly broken her ankle. After talking to the park service, we rallied our troops along with all the needed medical supplies and sent them on their way. The woman was approximately one mile down the trail. The crew took the litter down trail to bring the woman to the top of camp so a horse could carry her back down the mountain. Our staff returned with patient in tow around 5 pm just in time to get dinner going for the guests. Chris and I consider ourselves so lucky to work with such an amazing staff who thinks nothing of spending their afternoon off to help someone get the help they need. We learned that she reached the trail head a little after sunset. As far as we know, the patient sought medical treatment and is returning home.

While the craziness was happening, I spoke with a couple who hiked up for lunch on the mountain. They were very helpful in telling me where the patient was located on the trail. Come to find out from some fellow day hikers, the guy had proposed to his girlfriend on Cliff Tops just minutes before coming down into the dining room for lunch. I asked them to send me the pictures so I could share their story to make for a happy ending to such an eventful day.

Congratulations Jackie Wallace and Kevin Regg!

The LeConte staff wishes you many years of happiness.

Richard

4/20/2012 12:12:56 am

I agree. The staff is stellar. You are blessed. Remind them every day how much you value them.

Debi link

4/20/2012 12:17:28 am

Congrats to Jackie and Kevin.
Thank goodness the woman was found ok. Its just a given of helping someone else out in need. Thats what people do and your staff is wonderful. But what a way to get a ride down.
Our first trip up in 2009 we were hiking down and my husband says to my son and self to stay up on the top of Alum Cave and he would take our picture. So we did and then my son started heading down and lost his footing and fell and went airborn and hit his hip on a big boulder. His pack actually gave him some cushion. I was almost in tears and thought he'd have to be carried out. One big bruise on his left side was all he had.Thank god!! Its not funnny but we laugh about it now and say "Remember the year you fell off the mountain." What did you do for spring break Tejay? Ohhh, I fell off a mountain. Everyone clapped and hooted after they found out he was ok and told him he really knew how to put on a show. So becareful, been there done that.

Judym

4/20/2012 01:53:20 am

Debi,
Catching up reading the blog this am, I found your questions and all the responses re "Wildflowers of the Smokies". After you buy your book, you may wish to make notes in the margin re dates, location and who you were with when you first saw a particular wild flower. That can serve as a bit of a diary for recalling fond hiking memories later. That trick was shared with me a few years back while visiting with the wildly varying but always interesting folks you meet on top LeConte. I do it now and my book is happily showing wear but wish someone had passed that suggestion along to me years earlier. I think you'll enjoy the results.

Jeanie

4/20/2012 02:42:34 am

I agree with you, Judy, about the Wild Flower book. I bought one a few years ago and log beside the flower the date, where I saw it and who I was with at the time. It's fun to go through and see the Wild Flowers I have actually seen in the Smokies! We were fortunate to see a Yellow Lady Slipper last year. I got to check it off my Wild Flower Bucket list.
Yea, Crew! You are the BEST!

Devin R

4/20/2012 04:37:57 am

I love this idea Judy. Pictures too if possible! Would love to be able to put names of flowers with pictures to familiarize ourselves with them!

Debi link

4/20/2012 09:51:05 am

Thanks Judy great idea, I will do that.
Doug, as the crew goes I recall our first trip up there March 2009 we were sitting there eating dinner and it was freezing cold and snowing lightly outside. In comes this young couple and they had forgot they had a different night stay. The crew went and bunked with someone else and gave them their quarters for the night, not to put them out. They sat them a place where they put the hot chocolate since they had no more seats.I thought that was so great, they bend over backwards to please.

H Clark

4/20/2012 01:45:57 am

Hiked in the mountains yesterday. Started on the AT at Newfound Gap parking lot. The route included the AT, Dry Sluice, Grassy Branch and Kephart Prong to US 441. After leaving the AT, we only met one hiker on Grassy Branch heading to Bunion.

Congrats to your staff in aiding the hiker. Hopefully, that's an isolated incident, but the crew seems well prepared for such situations.

doug y

4/20/2012 02:36:39 am

Debi's account reminded me of my first visit to the lodge in 2004 which was almost cut short at Alum Cave; I slipped going up and if not for my old wooden tobacco stick hiking staff I could have sustained a nasty little injury; For years I had hiked through and by this location without incident, but it almost got me that time; it's a fairly treacherous spot on the trail; Allyson, your account of how the crew mobilized and went to the assistance of that injured woman reflects one of the real strengths of your crew ! I've seen this many times during my visits, one time a crew member leaving during the evening meal to go down the Trillium trail to look for a late-arriving elderly man, found safely; You folks continue to do a great job !!

Tony Ga

4/20/2012 03:13:52 am

There was a man who tripped and fell a year or two ago and was badly injured (paralyzed I believe) . Does anyone remember him and how he is doing?

Kathy F

4/20/2012 05:04:16 am

I'm thinking you are talking about John Endress. His family still puts updates every now and then on www.caringbridge.org

Tony Ga

4/20/2012 06:45:28 am

That's him. Thanks Kathy.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnendress

Tim Ferguson

5/28/2012 09:22:40 am

His name was John Endress of Terre Haute, Ind. The date was October 10, 2010. He tripped over a root just above the 'cave'. He was still full on paralyzed as of last fall. Lost contact with his website, but he was having his share of trouble at that time. In my opinion, he was not good. Tragedy, one I have not got over yet. You could try Facebook, family was keeping it updated, but I don't do Facebook. He has one youtube posting. I'm still praing for him, changed the way I hike. Still solo, but with BOTH trekking poles-no exceptions.

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Just another day on Mt. LeConte

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