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Meet Backcountry Ranger Dave Worth

4/28/2012

 
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National Park Service backcountry ranger Dave Worth adjusts some bear cables on his rounds at the LeConte backcountry shelter.
Since Allyson and Chris are off the mountain, I'll be patching in for High on LeConte updates for a few days.  I'd like to introduce you to Dave Worth in Saturday's post.

It was nice to have a familiar face come by to visit earlier this month.  While making his rounds, Dave Worth, one of the backcountry rangers for the National Park Service, stopped by the lodge to say hello.  In 2010 and 2011, Dave excelled as the interpretive ranger at Mt. LeConte, teaching a great many eager youngsters about "the Salamander Capital of the World" and answering a bushel of questions about real Smoky bears.

"I'm looking forward to a really exciting season," Worth said.  "The backcountry ranger position is well organized, and I'm ready to serve."

A word to the wise, if you plan on sullying the beauty of the backcountry in the Smokies, then don't plan on outrunning him.  Dave through hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2008.  More recently, in May 2011, he covered all 72 miles of the Appalachian Trail through the Smokies (perhaps the most lung-busting stretch from Georgia to Maine) in a mind-boggling 14 hours, 50 minutes and 22 seconds--one of the greatest feats of endurance in park history.  In August 2011, Dave churned through all six trails to Mt. LeConte in 10 hours and 3 minutes.

The moral of the story is -- don't plan on evading Dave Worth unless you plan to be on the medal stand at the upcoming London Olympics.

"I hope to use my experiences in the park to further the goals of my position," Worth said.  "It's important to maintain the backcountry and its resources.  I want to ensure that all folks visiting the backcountry have a good experience."

It's good to know that Dave will continue to protect the park that all of us at LeConte Lodge cherish.  He's a credit to the park service, and we wish him well.

As I write Saturday afternoon, cumulus clouds are dancing across the summit of Mt. LeConte, leaving us alternately soaking up the sun or enveloped in clouds.  Friday's high was 57.  The overnight low only dropped to 46, leaving the winter weather of earlier this week a distant memory.  As of lunch, we've already surpassed Friday's high on a warm Saturday afternoon.

Come up and see us.  Happy trails.
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The snag points the way to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Smokies, on a cold and blustery day earlier in April. The temperature this Saturday is headed the opposite way.
Adria
4/28/2012 07:50:34 am

Now that is impressive, I excited when I get up Alum in 3 hours and Boulevard in 4.5 hours

Barbara
4/28/2012 03:51:49 pm

There's Alum, Bullhead, Rainbow, Trillium and Boulevard; what's the 6th trail? I can see that he could have hiked one trail twice and that would come out to 6 trails hiked. But are there 6 separate trails? Thanks anyone who can tell me.

FLAndy
4/28/2012 04:06:46 pm

Sixth, least traveled trail, is Brushy Mountain which joins up with Trillium mid-way up. It is roughly 9.5 mi from trailhead to Lodge.

Barbara
4/29/2012 07:05:45 am

Thanks Andy. Where does Brushy begin?

Ben
4/30/2012 04:34:21 am

From the 441/321 junction in the heart of Gatlinburg, go about 5 or 6 miles east on 321. Take a right on Greenbrier Rd. A couple of miles up there is a left that takes you to the parking for the Ramsey Cascades hike. If you keep going straight instead (don't take the left) you will come to a small parking area at a jeep gate. The Brushy Mtn hike begins here. The first mile is up the jeep road on the other side of the gate. The road ends in a loop where there is a sign denoting the Brushy Mtn trail. It will take you to Trillium Gap.

Gina
4/28/2012 11:04:11 pm

Very impressive accomplishments!

Brother Timothy
4/29/2012 01:45:23 am

72 miles in just under 15 hours?!? That's some impressive stuff. I feel good when I bust out a 20. Get me on a program, I need some of that speed and endurance. Seriously man you could give Flyin Bryan a run for his money bro.

Debi Chaffee link
4/29/2012 06:57:34 am

Wow!! I wish I could run the trails like Dave. Good job!!

Ed
4/30/2012 12:32:01 am

Impressive hiking resume. I thru hiked the smokies in 2001. Took me 14 hours just to make it from Double Spring to Tri-corner.

Brian N
4/30/2012 03:34:56 am

That kinda makes my trip from the lodge down trillium back to rainbow parking lot in 3:42 seem sluggish. Maybe it was because it was coming a monsoon thursday morning when we started down.


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