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Meet Austin Bush; Boulevard/Bullhead Update

11/7/2012

 
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Austin exploring LeConte on snowshoes last week following our record October snowfall.
_I pass along wishes for a fine day to you from the top of LeConte.  I'm continuing with the crew introductions today as Austin Bush takes front and center.  However, because of the interest in the weather and trail conditions I'll lead with that first.

The snow returned last night and is still falling to the tune of three inches of new accumulation.  We now have 15 inches of snow on the ground.  The forecast calls for more snow this morning before giving way to mostly cloudy skies.  There's a chance of light snow tonight before nice weather moves in for Thursday.  Tuesday's high reached 34 degrees with little sun, so we didn't get much melting up top.  The low bottomed out at 25.  The temperature is 26 with steady snow falling at breakfast.

The trail updates follow.  Please keep in mind that the below conditions don't reflect any of the overnight and morning snow.

Rainbow Falls Trail - This is our most preferred route for reaching the lodge.  The snow line doesn't extend down too far.

Trillium Gap Trail - There are some trees down on this trail, but those shouldn't bother hikers too much.  The snow line doesn't extend down too far.

Alum Cave Bluff Trail - Alum is passable, but I'd still recommend Rainbow Falls and Trillium ahead of Alum.  The melting and refreezing into slick ice can be a bigger issue on Alum because of the narrow ledges and dropoffs.  I'd still bring some sort of ice traction device for all three recommended trails, but especially Alum.  I've never met a hiker who upon sliding on a sheet of ice toward the edge of oblivion remarked, "I'd really like less traction here."

Bullhead Trail - I finally got a report on Bullhead conditions Tuesday.  A dayhiker came up Bullhead and said it appeared that a lone hiker had previously broken trail coming down Bullhead.  The hiker did OK ascending but found Bullhead tough going and chose to descend via Rainbow Falls.  We don't advise taking Bullhead until more melting occurs.

Boulevard Trail - Crew member John ventured 1.5 miles down the Boulevard from the lodge to give us some updated information on a trail people haven't been trying (for good reason).  John said "nobody has any business on the Boulevard right now."  Since the trail is not packed, John was sinking down in 1-2 feet of snow with each step.  He also found himself in 3-5 feet drifts.  He reports plenty of ice and deep snow on challenging parts of the Boulevard.  At the slide below Myrtle Point, John reports that the cable has pulled out of the rock.  If you slipped on this slide, there's nothing to keep you from falling down the mountain in these conditions.  John, no stranger to tough hiking, found the conditions on the Boulevard so tough that he broke his ice traction devices.  Please don't attempt the Boulevard for a while.  P.S. I know John's family reads High on LeConte often, and he's just fine.

While Austin joined the 2012 crew as a newcomer, he didn't stay that way long.  He fit right in and we've been glad to have him, keeping us up to date on all matters of music and comedy (which surely makes dish washing more pleasant).  Austin's also a fine cook, most recently doctoring up the best pumpkin seeds I've ever eaten in the enjoyable postlude to the LeConte Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest.  With that, I'll turn it over to Austin.
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Austin Bush grew up in a small town west of Nashville, Tenn., called Kingston Springs.  His earliest years were spent living out in the country on a horse farm where he was introduced to the outdoors very early on.  Playing in creeks and walking through the woods was how he spent most of his youth.

Austin left Kingston Springs for high school.  He attended Saint Andrews-Sewanee Episcopal Boarding School.  Saint Andrews, located near the Savage Gulf Wilderness Area in Tennessee, offered an environment where he could continue to enjoy the outdoors--biking, hiking and kayaking.

After high school Austin attended Maryville College, near  the Great Smoky Mountains, where he majored in music performance before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University and earning his degree in music business.

Since then Austin has worked in artist management and organic gardening.  He is looking forward to returning to LeConte for another year.
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We'll be following up with Lindi in the next couple of days to close out our crew biographies.  Unless trail conditions seriously deteriorate, Thursday's High on LeConte update will be in the afternoon.  Be careful and happy trails.
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Austin rock climbing at Linville Gorge, N.C. this fall.
Pat N.
11/7/2012 12:30:15 am

Great feature of Austin! Thanks also for the trail and weather updates and wintery photos. Yep, Nathan, I knew John would venture out eventually to check on a trail and that I'd probably start off my day by reading about it. Y'all be safe!

Debi
11/7/2012 01:23:01 am

Austin checked us in and showed us our cabin back in August. I had asked him how many years he'd been up here and he said it had been his first. He was a very nice kid with a great friendly smile.

Sam
11/7/2012 02:09:54 am

Nathan my jacket that decided the Rainbow Falls trail was too tough was waiting on me on my trip down the mountain! Someone had picked it up and hung it on a tree branch. Thanks so much for the food and accomodations on Monday evening we so enjoyed it. It is definitely something we will do again. And the additional snow just made the experience more enjoyable. I wish everyone could experience the trail up and the beauty of the mountain. Thanks again.

High on LeConte
11/7/2012 01:30:16 pm

Sam,

That's great news. I figured you'd see your jacket and all of its contents again. We meet some fine people up here. Most of the thieves like to practice their craft in the thick air below. I'm glad you found everything and thank the honest person who picked up your jacket. Thanks for coming to see us. Happy trails.

Nathan

rmack
11/7/2012 06:59:30 am

Can anyone tell me what the weather conditions will be like at Mt Leconte from Thursday November 8th through Sunday November 11th. From looking online I see highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's. Thank you!

Tony Ga
11/7/2012 07:02:54 am

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-LeConte
Go here and pick your elevation for the forecast.

Brian N bama
11/7/2012 08:19:51 am

Tony Ga, I looked and did not see any more snow predictions, could you please change it so that my son can have son this friday?LOL I am so ready to get out of here and up top.

Tony Ga
11/7/2012 09:58:45 am

I bet there will still be snow up there for you to play in on Friday.

Brian N bama
11/7/2012 10:01:46 am

Tony Ga, I am just ready to sit in that rocking chair in front of the fire and relax. Then head on up to watch the beautiful sunset I know we will have. Then to the dining hall to enjoy a hot meal. I am telling you, I could get used to life on Leconte.

Tony Ga
11/7/2012 10:11:44 am

Sounds like a perfect plan. Remember pictures pictures pictures.

Kathy
11/7/2012 10:09:46 am

Your pictures are beautiful, love looking at them 50 billion times a day.. lol..
My husband and I, and 6 other adults are hiking up on Wed the 14th. My fingers are crossed that there will still be some snow for us to see and play in. What is your prediction about there still being some??
Regardless, we are all excited and can't wait for it to get there. :)
Kathy

Kathy Montgomery
11/7/2012 03:37:09 pm

Sorry this is late, but just wanted to give a big THANKS to Bonnie and John for all the wonderful help they gave us on 10/30/12. Yes my hubby and I were on rainbow falls trail for 14 hours, probably breaking the record of making it up at 10:30 that night. We were never so happy to see the both of them with all that wonderful light they brought us. They were great, making sure we were all right and if we needed anything. What a wonderful crew you have up there. What a great experience we had and how beautiful the mountains are with all the snow up there. Thanks again and God Bless all of you for the wonderful job you all do.

doug
11/7/2012 11:57:24 pm

Brian: Unless a heat wave suddenly appears on the mountain, it looks like you'll get your wish for snow when you hike up; I'm coming down Friday evening to camp, with a stop at NOC first, then up early Saturday morning to get in a day hike I've had planned for a while; WIsh my destination was the lodge, though. Not much time left in the season. G'day to all.


Comments are closed.
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