Keep LeConte Out of the Firing Line

Good day to everyone.  We're basking in a beauty of a Thursday afternoon at LeConte Lodge.  I'm surprised there haven't been more day hikers out and about.  The visibility rates excellent, and you can see as far as your eye is good.  For me, that stretches to the Cumberland Mountains on the lodge side of the mountain and the observation tower on top of Clingman's Dome on LeConte's backside.  The azure skies cloak the top of Tennessee in a glorious fashion.

By midmorning we had already bettered our Wednesday high of 34.  The overnight low plummeted to 16 degrees.  We haven't seen such a cold night since March 6, which was a huge airlift day for us prior to opening (and Alamo Day for all you history buffs and Col. David Crockett fans).

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I did want to pass along a couple of things that will help protect our fine mountain.  Perhaps you all can help us by passing along the good word.  As you can see in the photo to the left, I was dismayed to find a fire ring off the trail to the backcountry shelter.  I understand it wasn't a huge bonfire.  But when you live in a windy environment in wood cabins a long way away from the fire department, it doesn't take a big fire to complicate your day.  No campfires are permitted on Mt. LeConte, including the shelter area.  For years people degraded the resource by chopping down trees (which already have a tough life gracing the top of our rugged mountain) for firewood, prompting a total fire ban on LeConte.  Nor is anyone allowed to chop down deadwood on LeConte.  Gravity and nature will do their work on their time schedule.  Though most of the below tree stumps are not recent casualties, they serve as a row of tombstones and a reminder to fiercely protect what enriches LeConte.  While some trees fell naturally, a short walk through the shelter area reveals too many stumps decapitated by human hands.

Keep LeConte special and have a fine day.

 

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