Terry Tinnell, with the help of 14 strong friends and family, became the first person to reach LeConte Lodge in a wheelchair on his birthday Wednesday.
Hello to all of you High on LeConte readers. This is Nathan, and I'll be filling in for Allyson during her off days.
First I'll catch you up on our weather and then pass along a story worth reading. Wednesday was a beautiful day start to finish. The high topped out at 66 degrees, the second warmest day of the year. The low registered 47. We've not had any measurable rain since Saturday, but the forecast hints that may be changing soon. Today's weather has been fine with mostly cloudy, filtered sunshine replacing the bluebird skies of Wednesday. I wanted to pass along a monumental achievement we witnessed Wednesday at LeConte Lodge. Terry Tinnell, with the help of 14 strong friends and a service dog named Cocoa, became the only person we know of who reached LeConte Lodge in a wheelchair. Utilizing the Trillium Gap Trail, Terry celebrated his birthday on top of LeConte last night with a dedicated group of friends and family. A native of Atlanta, Terry first had the idea of climbing LeConte in his specially modified chair 25 years ago. "We went through lots of detailed practicing with the equipment and personnel," Terry said. "The only way we got up here was sheer determination. With friends, family and attitude you can accomplish any challenge." We enjoyed having the Tinnell group as our guests and admire their planning and commitment to each other. They seemed like fine folks who enjoyed their stay at LeConte Lodge. However, we don't recommend just anyone try to summit LeConte in a similar fashion. The success rate for such attempts is abysmal in this inherently dangerous pursuit. LeConte Lodge general manager Tim Line, who has been affiliated with the lodge since 1977, can remember no other happy endings when someone attempted the top in a wheelchair. One other note, Cocoa, an Australian shepherd, works as a service dog. No other pets are allowed on any trail leading to LeConte. That being said, we appreciate Terry and his friends celebrating his birthday with us on the mountain. Along with our other guests in yet another sellout at LeConte Lodge, they were delightful and good company. Happy trails.
Tracy G
5/16/2013 07:28:21 am
WOW! What amazing dedication and determination. Way to go!! Congratulations to all that made the trip. I know it must have been very special!
Barbara Allbritton
5/17/2013 02:00:14 am
I would like to know how long it took them to get to the top. That is wonderful.
Carl ward
5/17/2013 03:24:02 pm
about 7 grueling hours with some of the strongest, toughest guys I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
Ricky
5/18/2013 01:30:35 am
Carl I would not call watching---working with. Love Ricky
Janet K
5/16/2013 07:35:43 am
What a great birthday present to celebrate at LeConte with your dog, family and friends. I'm sure you will inspire others to put forth the effort to do the same! Big pat on the backs for all those who helped make it come true!
comon norman airborne
5/16/2013 07:59:10 am
I do not see the reason for the dog when he had 14 people to help him. Conratulations any way!
Coco
5/18/2013 01:33:05 am
Hope to se you soon, Coco.
Pam
5/16/2013 07:56:42 am
Happy birthday to Terry and what a great support group he has!!
Charlotte
5/16/2013 08:04:57 am
WOW!!! Congrats Terry and friends, just shows ya- follow your dreams- it can be done 5/16/2013 08:05:24 am
Somebody tell me if this is not the most inspiring and heart-warming story ever!
Timothy M
5/16/2013 08:06:26 am
Flippin Awesome! Go Terry Tinnell!
Jean D.
5/16/2013 08:27:55 am
Congrats to the wonderful group. "It brings a tear to me eye"
Fraley Family
5/16/2013 08:35:25 am
Amazing and inspiring! What a testament to both Terry and his friends!
Joe & Judy Langford
5/16/2013 08:43:54 am
We were there and Terry is a great person. Cocoa and friends also great. Nice time as always...till next time. JJ
Charlotte D.
5/16/2013 08:54:52 am
Congrats to Terry and his wonderful friends. Very inspiring
papawlg
5/16/2013 09:17:45 am
a dream,a will too do,friends,family and love for each other ! another dream come true!thanks for another uplifting story.
Jacque J
5/16/2013 09:59:03 am
AMAZING!!!!
Sharon AL
5/16/2013 10:04:52 am
Congrats, and happy belated birthday Terri! I just have one question---did ya make it back down the mountain okay? That's part of the journey, ya know! lol
Jesse H.
5/16/2013 05:40:05 pm
Yes, we made it down the mountain safely. Terry is my uncle, it was the most rewarding thing I've ever been apart of.
Mark B
5/16/2013 10:26:18 am
Happy Belated Birthday Terry! Your journey to the top of the mountain shows that life does not end with a disability. Life can change on a dime. A strong will and determination to overcome a challenge will always drive the human spirit to greater endeavors. Congratulations on your amazing feat of courage and also to your friends and family whom helped you reach the top of Mt. Leconte, There will always be mountains to climb but you will find life fuller facing them head on. God Bless one and all. Mark B.
Pat N.
5/16/2013 10:46:44 am
What a wonderful accomplishment with the support of family and friends. Proud of you, Terry! It just goes to show...when there's a will, there's a way.
Bryan Be from Indy
5/16/2013 11:12:43 am
That's a wonderful thing for sure!
Marilyn
5/16/2013 11:58:52 am
Bryan Be from Indy....There are 3 private campgrounds near Cherokee who allow campers to use their shower facilities....for a fee. I don't know the fee. They are Bradley Campground 828-497-6051, Happy Holidays 828- 497-7250 and Cherokee Campground 828-498-9838. I don't know locations but your friend could look up on internet or call them to get more info. Hope this helps
Bryan Be from Indy
5/16/2013 01:24:14 pm
Thanks Marilyn! That helps a great deal...
kelly
5/16/2013 12:24:35 pm
Congrats and happy birthday Terry, what a great way to celebrate!
Rick Hall
5/16/2013 01:21:08 pm
My wife and I spent the night at the lodge on May 7th this year. My personal appeal of the stay was the isolation Mt. Leconte offered, from technology, and to some extent, people in general. It's ironic that the most memorable part of our trip wasn't the breathtaking views (and there were many) or the lodge itself, but instead, it was the inspiring people we met on the trail and at the lodge. We met a 58 year old woman who had lost 105 pounds in a year, and her goal was to hike Mt. Leconte. Her husband, Dan, told us that one year ago, she physically could not walk around their block! We also met a couple that was coming down that had hiked Mt. Leconte every year for the last 25 years. He was 72 and she was 67! Now, Terry Tinnell and his friends have set the bar the highest! Incredible story! God Himself has blessed you, Terry!
Keith Bonita Springs,Fl
5/16/2013 01:39:59 pm
Terry, Happy Birthday and congratulations , what a great way to celebrate a birthday with friends and family at Mt LeConte, and I mean all your friends. My big brown Koko also congratulates your Cocoa. September can't get here soon enough.
Mary
5/16/2013 03:07:51 pm
Congratulations to Terry and his amazing friends. That is just AWESOME!!!!!!! Happy Birthday to you Terry:)
Debi
5/16/2013 09:08:34 pm
We take advantage of what we have and its just a breeze to hike to Mt. Leconte Lodge. Then there is this wonderful group of people who helped out there friend who planned this for 25 years. Wow! I would love to see a video of this group in action hiking up. Great job, hugs to you all!! I like the picture of Cocoa, hes either not cooperating and didn't turn around to smile for the camera or he found the snail you finally made it to the top. :) Congrats to all!
Jesse
5/30/2013 03:35:15 pm
We have several short videos on youtube. Here's a link.
Debi
5/16/2013 09:09:42 pm
Who finally made it to the top. Opps.
Gina
5/16/2013 11:04:08 pm
AWESOME!
Glenn OH
5/17/2013 02:08:34 am
Terry, Happy Birthday,by far best story on this web site, you prove to all of us, you can over come anything, so all of us need to get out there and get going,come on May 31st!!!
Jim
5/17/2013 03:19:38 am
Congratulations and happy birthday! We saw you guys on our way back down Wed AM. You are fortunate to have such a great family and group of friends. Hats off to all of you!
Kent
5/17/2013 06:45:03 am
Now there's a birthday memory for ya. Congratulations, Terry!
randy
5/17/2013 07:33:54 am
God Bless Ya! I have a son with CP and autism and have been trying to figure out a way to get him to the top and manage his needs too. You gave me hope and I thank you for that. You an example of the human spirit and I am so glad you got to spend time on the mountain.
Terry
5/19/2013 07:43:18 am
Randy Thank you for your comments. I would be glad to help in any way. Terry Alan Tinnell terry.tinnell@gmail.com
Debnfl
5/17/2013 07:48:11 am
How wonderful! Happy Belated Birthday Terry, and congrats to you and your friends on a great hike!
Stephane
5/17/2013 08:08:00 am
Amazing pictures!!!! Congratulations.
Carol
5/17/2013 03:55:36 pm
Wow. what a great group of people. Cocoa looks a little camera shy.
Charlie and Susan Espiritu
5/18/2013 08:44:56 am
Awesome! We are so glad you made it! You are an inspiration as well as all your family and friends who made it possible! Thank you for inspiring all of us to be better people!
Bob J.
5/19/2013 03:08:39 am
Way to go Terry! It's good to see you with a big grin on your face.
Steve Rolfe
5/25/2013 12:02:42 pm
16 years ago, I met a little girl at the dinner table at LeConte. She was "just barely seven". It turned out we had the same birthday, May 15, the same as Terry's. Because of the now-almost-defunct guaranteed annual reservations, we met each year on the third Wednesday in May on LeConte. We have maintained that reunion almost every year since and she is now working on her MBA. We were there again this May 15th. What a joy to share our day with Terry. I was 65, he was 55 and she was 23. I hope to be able to meet him again at the lodge. Hike/roll on Terry! Comments are closed.
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