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Meet Lindi Berkey; Sunshine Returns to LeConte

11/8/2012

 
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Lindi above 14,000 feet on Pikes Peak in Colorado this fall.
Hello to everyone.  Today wraps up the end of the crew introductions as Lindi Berkey takes the stage.  In more good news, we're expecting a few days of sunny weather as high pressure builds in Thursday. 

I expect that the sun will continue to improve trail conditions.  Crew member Walt headed down on off days Wednesday and reported that Alum Cave Bluff Trail remains passable after the new snow.  He did mention a few slick spots on the log footbridges, but they're lower in elevation and should melt quicker than ice up here on the summit. 

Wednesday saw another inch of new snow, pushing us to about five inches of snow this week.  We still have 16 inches of snow on the ground at LeConte Lodge.  We certainly didn't get any melting done yesterday with a high of 29 and low of 18 this morning.  We're still expecting overnight temperatures to submarine below freezing.  While I think we'll see some helpful melting the next few days, conditions will probably be most slippery in the morning after the refreezing and before thawing resumes later in the day.

Now back to introducing Lindi, the pride of Somerset, Pa.  Lindi filled out our 10th and final crew position in 2012, and no one she works with regrets her decision.  She's been filling double-duty for us on Sundays--waking up early to lead sunrise service and working a full day as a crew member.  I'll turn it over to Lindi.
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Lindi Berkey lives a life that begs for one adventure after another.  When she calls home to talk to her mom, her mom begs her to settle down or start a career.  Lindi, in return, tells her of her newest set of plans and adventures.

So a phone call home last April went something like this.
Lindi: "Mom, I've got some interesting news for you, but you're gonna want to be sitting down."
Mom: "Oh heavens, what is it this time?"
Lindi: "I'm quitting my nursing job, losing my benefits and giving up my apartment to move to a national park and work full-time in a lodge!  Sound good?"
Mom: "Aaahhhh!"

Phone calls like that to the Berkey home aren't always well received, nevertheless last May Lindi moved to the mountain and became the 10th and final crew member for the 2012 season.  Although this is her first year on crew, Lindi is not new to LeConte.  She first hiked up in 2010 a few times to help lead Sunday morning worship services at Myrtle Point.  Last year she was our regular chaplain, hiking up every Saturday, spending the night and then leading church services for the guests and crew before hiking down Sunday afternoon.

Having the opportunity to be part of the LeConte staff has been an amazing blessing.  How few people get to watch the weather roll in or the seasons change from a vantage point like Mt. LeConte.

Lindi has gotten to travel and see some amazing places from the elk rut in Yellowstone to the shores of Belize to a 14,000-foot view in Rocky Mountain National Park.  Yet LeConte will always hold a special place in her life and she looks forward to another fantastic year as chaplain next season.


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Lindi hiking up Alum Cave Bluff Trail following October's great snowstorm (note that four days of melting had occurred by then).
Pat N.
11/8/2012 01:39:21 am

Nice to read about Lindi. So glad you joined this year's crew, Lindi! I sure enjoyed meeting you and making what seemed to be 100 beds with you. Even more special was the evening service you led.

Sheldon
11/8/2012 02:10:40 am

You never feel so close to God as you do when you are on the mountain. It's probably leftovers from the time He spent meeting with man on mountain tops as noted in the Bible.

Kenny
11/8/2012 02:24:55 am

Makes me want to leave the day to day life that you get so busy and wrapped up in and live in the mountains off the land.

Brian N bama
11/8/2012 02:42:43 am

So true Kenny, I often wish I could just vanish of the grid and get back to a simple lifestyle.

James
11/9/2012 06:15:16 am

I totally agree with you Kenny!

Tony Ga
11/8/2012 04:09:22 am

Become Amish.

Brian N bama
11/8/2012 05:07:13 am

Nope, not amish. They are to crowded as well, LOL. May just disappear into the appalachian mountains, just become a mountain man.

Kim
11/8/2012 05:51:41 am

Beautiful pic on Pikes Peak. My bf and I went to Colorado Springs twice this year. We went in June when they had record breaking fires and heat. Then again September 21st. No fires but Pikes Peak had a horrible haze over it so we didnt get a clear view from the top. Thats a beautiful pic without the haze. Lucky.

Debi
11/8/2012 06:19:36 am

What a girl! Yes, I would probably freak a little if my daughter told me shes quiting nursing too. My daughter is almost in nursing school, shes a CNA right now, and a wedding on the way next year is planned. Lindi, your mom's heart probably ached at the time but life is too short not to do what you want to do.
Brian, your not the only one that just wants to disapeer into that AP trail. Have a great time! We will expect lots of pics when u get back.

Brian N bama
11/8/2012 06:48:13 am

I will take all that I can. You know how it is when you have and energetic teenage boy hiking with you. Not alot of stop time. Talked with Mark earlier in the day and he said it is setting up to be a BEAUTIFUL weekend. Who knows, maybe we will make the front page of saturday or sundays blog!!

Audie N Bama :)
11/8/2012 08:26:09 am

Brian, What day is it that you are going up? We're going up Sunday.

Brian N bama
11/8/2012 09:39:19 am

We are heading up tomorrow morning. Going up Alum. Should be a fantastic trip.

Paul B
11/8/2012 06:32:08 am

A worship service at sunrise from Myrtle Point, that would be inspiring. I would love to join in a few Chris Tomlin or Matt Redmon songs and listen to Lindi deliver a message while watching His creation awake from the darkness.

BetsyPA
11/8/2012 06:43:06 am

It was nice meeting you on oct 18th. My daughter will be following in your foot steps I do believe, somewhere some way. Glad to hear of you living your dream !!

Darwin
11/8/2012 02:22:29 pm

I can't imagine having church on the mountain, there are two places my emotion seems to be very close to the surface, church and in the wonderfull beauty our creator has made, theres no way i could contain myself doing both at one time...i would ba a blubbering mess.

Darwin

doug
11/8/2012 11:37:43 pm

Nice to meet Lindi. Interesting background. Looks like a good weekend to hike up so I'm coming down very early Sat morning; hiking up Trillium then back down Bullhead. I was wondering, Nathan, when do they select the crew members for next year ? Providing, of course, that there are vacancies. I agree with the others that services up on the mountain, whatever your personal beliefs, must be inspiring and humbling. G'day and safe hiking to all.

High on LeConte
11/9/2012 06:55:24 am

Doug,

I'm not sure when they'll begin hiring for next season. It usually takes a little while for all the current crew members to figure out what they're doing next season, and then sometimes reality charges along and changes that decision entirely. However, I tell people to send a resume and cover letter to the LeConte Lodge office in Sevierville by December or January (that's what I did). When he gets an idea about crew vacancies general manager Tim Line will begin to sort through the applications. Thanks for reading. Have a good day.

Nathan


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