Last Hike Up As Staff

Good morning fellow LeConte lovers. Chris and I made our final ascent, as LeConte employees, yesterday. It was a gorgeous day for a hike up. The trail is in great shape. There are only a few spots at the top that are a little slick. Just take your time and you won't need to worry about any type of ice traction. We are expecting another beautiful day at the top, today. The high yesterday was 47º with a low of 28º.

Only seventeen days left of the season. Chris and I took our time on our way up yesterday. We reminisced about all of our hikes up the mountain. Chris said we had to wait for the descent stories on our final descent. I decided that my least favorite hike up the mountain was in 2010. The first hike of the season and I had about 50 lbs on my back. The crew hiked up in about 2 feet of snow. I remember being so worn out by the time I got to the top, I stepped in a snow drift up to my waist and Chris had to rescue me. I didn't have the energy to crawl out. I told Tim the next time it snowed like that, at the beginning of the season, I was not hiking up until it all melted. Luckily, we didn't have to test that threat. My favorite hike up was when I made it up in my personal record time. I made it up in 1:54. I was pleased with myself. Of course, my loving husband had to hike behind me to tell friends we encountered why I didn't stop and talk to them. Chris's personal record is 1:24. I guess I have some training to do to catch up to his. I do plan on attempting it again, when I come back to visit.

We are gearing up for a busy day on the top. I am sure there will be a lot of day hikers out and about. It is a great day for a hike. Come see us and get some of our famous hot cocoa.