March.17.2016. Sunshine days before the chill

3/17/2016

After a wonderfully warm 58 yesterday we were once again down to an overnight of 37 degrees.

The last of our volunteers and work friends hiked down yesterday. A huge shout out to you guys! (We could never have got this season started without your hard work and long hours.) Come back up during the season and see us again! We miss you guys.

Today looks like it will another gorgeous and sunny day but there is a lot of talk of possible snow and ice over the weekend so if you plan on coming up pack warmly, waterproof, and bring some shoe traction.

We'll be finishing up camp maintenance this week in preparation of opening on Monday and may perhaps surprise you with some crew photos!

LL signing off.

Tim

3/17/2016 09:53:14 am

I am confused, being a new visitor to this site, and wanting to go to the Leconte Lodge some day, about the elevation figure on the new t-shirt. Isn't that the elevation for the peak of Mt. Leconte ? Or is the Lodge located up on the peak itself ?

3/17/2016 12:46:14 pm

It's for the peak of the mountain! Sorry for the confusion.

Tammy ( Tx )

3/17/2016 11:52:41 am

Snow and ice? Wow, what a difference from earlier this week. I know ya'll have had warmer than usual temps in the valley and we went hiking in the 90s here Monday on solid granite! Needless to say, we didn't last long! I'm enjoying the daily updates towards your season opening. It's a long way off, but can't wait until my visit in late October! Have a beautiful day!

tomk in SC

3/17/2016 01:45:19 pm

The peak is 6593' at High Top about 1/2 mile from the lodge.
The lodge itself is around 6360', 233' BELOW peak.
The shirts are all marked at 6593' as is the sign at the lodge.
I lobby once a year only to get throttled for bringing the subject up at all. It is confusing and the folks at LeConte will tell you it is tradition and they are right. It has been wrong and will stay that way, with the Lodge's blessing ostensibly forever.

Cathy

3/17/2016 03:19:32 pm

Question....my husband and I hiked it last June 1st and spent 1 glorious night high on top....are we eligible to purchase one of the tees for 2016 or are they only for those who hike the mountain in 2016? Just love this new shirt design with the bear on it :) Thank you. Cathy

3/17/2016 05:52:10 pm

These bear shirts can only be captured up on the mountain!

tomk in SC

3/17/2016 08:07:44 pm

Cathy one needn't spend the night. You could do a midsummer up and down and stop and pick up a 2016 tee atop!

Cathy

3/23/2016 01:14:18 pm

Great suggestion but an up and down trip same day is not in my realm....the trip last June was very demanding even with spending the night and coming down the next. Would not trade it for the world but just have a thing for black bears and this year's shirt is very nice. I will wear my last year shirt with pride :) It was a most magical experience and who knows....maybe one day I may be able to do it again.

doug y link

3/18/2016 08:34:51 am

I should know this LL, but when do the llamas begin their weekly trips to the Lodge !

3/18/2016 10:38:32 am

Sometime next week! It really depends on the weather.

Pearce

3/18/2016 10:56:19 am

Also, word on the street is, the llamas are scheduled for Wed/Fri/Sun in the near term, rather than the usual Mon/Wed/Fri. I found this out because I am spending a Monday night next month. (Can't wait, first timer!)

Ryan McAllister

3/18/2016 09:07:36 am

Looking forward to our stay next Wednesday! I hope the weather holds out and there is no snow!

Adam

3/18/2016 12:07:29 pm

What is the best source for weather reports there? I was looking at bringing my boys for a hike up the mountain and based on the numbers for the local area it had never occurred to me that there might be snow or ice on the peak! My only excuse is that I'm from flat as a pancake central Indiana. Thanks! You've got a beautiful thing going on up there with what sounds like a lot of incredible trails to hike and things to see! Hopefully we will make it out this Spring to see it and the Llamas of course.

Sharon S

3/18/2016 02:29:38 pm

It's a gorgeous day to be taking pictures. hint hint :)

Tammy ( Tx )

3/18/2016 02:56:44 pm

Since the elevation printed on the t-shirts is frustrating to some of our fellow Leconte admirers, I have a suggestion for a future shirt design that might possibly make everyone happy and stick with tradition.

I love looking at the silhouette of Mt. LeConte off from a distance. There's really no mistaking that mountain. Perhaps there could be a silhouette of Mt. LeConte on the shirt and then a picture of the lodge in the center of the mountain outline, right below the silhouette of the peaks. And then print the elevation above the lodge picture and below the LeConte silhouette. Then the person purchasing the t-shirt could say the elevation is for Mt. Leconte or for the lodge, whatever they prefer! :)

doug y link

3/18/2016 07:22:22 pm

Good idea Tammy.

Tom in AL

3/19/2016 08:44:04 am

Tammy, the lodge did have a T shirt design back in 2010 just as you suggested. Go back and look at the March 24, 2010 blog entry for a picture of the shirt design. I have one :-)

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March.17.2016. Sunshine days before the chill

LeConte Lodge

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