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Meet the Crew: Alan--World-Class Hiker and Llama Guru

6/13/2012

 
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Alan stands in front of another famous mountain--Mt. Everest. He journeyed to Everest Base Camp Jan. 1, 2010 at elevation 18,500, almost three times higher than Mt. LeConte.
Good afternoon.  Periodically I'd like to introduce you to some of the fascinating people on the LeConte Lodge crew.  They work hard to maintain LeConte's long history of being a hospitable outpost on a special mountain.  By the very nature of working up here, most crew members happen to be pretty interesting folks.  A LeConte Lodge story swap is not to be missed.

Alan Householder starts us off with the most years of service to LeConte Lodge.  Alan first worked on the LeConte Lodge crew in 1994, but began hiking the mountain in 1980.  In 2001, Alan served as co-manager of Charit Creek Lodge in Big South Fork before returning as LeConte Lodge llama wrangler from 2002 through 2011.  Osteoarthritis forced his retirement from his llama wrangling job, so we're fortunate to have Alan back on crew in 2012.

Possessing a strong passion for long-distance backpacking and off-trail bushwhacking, Alan has been an avid hiker and walker for 35 years.  He completed the Appalachian Trail in 1988, the Pacific Coast Trail in 1996 and North Carolina's Mountains to the Sea Trail in 1997 (among other long trails in the U.S.).

Alan has trekked extensively in the United Kingdom, Australia, Tasmania, the Patagonian Andes and Nepal.  He hopes to be back in action in the future to complete New Zealand's long-distance trail--Te Araroa.  In the early 1990s, Alan worked three seasons as the Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner in the Smokies.

Myrtle Point ranks as Alan's favorite place on Mt. LeConte, while he counts the Bullhead Trail as his favorite to the lodge.

On a personal note, upon meeting Alan to open the 2010 season on LeConte, I was most impressed with his obvious concern for his llamas.  In all kinds of weather and situations, Alan endeavored to safeguard the LeConte llamas--and they still know him when they hike up to resupply us.  I also admire his encyclopedic knowledge of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Now for the weather update.  We've been living in a pretty thick cloud for most of the day.  However, we did receive some welcome sunshine and patches of blue sky during brief periods in the morning.  Tuesday's high was 63 with a low of 47 and 0.03 inches of rain.  The forecast for the next few days sounds favorable.

Hike on up and see us.  Have a fine day.  Happy trails.


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View from Bullhead Trail, Alan's favorite route up LeConte.
Debi link
6/13/2012 08:28:35 am

Wow! Alan is a well traveled man!!!

Ken T
6/13/2012 09:37:31 am

Nathan, I really appreciate the your comments on the history of LaConte and the Smokies. I also enjoy the bio's on Leconte people. Keep up the good work in Alleyson's absence.

Woody
6/13/2012 10:24:38 am

Tensing Householder!

Juanita
6/13/2012 10:58:17 am

I am planning on hiking up one day next week I want to see myrtle point the last I was there I did not get to see it. Love the post

Greg P.
6/13/2012 02:41:39 pm

Nice post, Nathan. Alan is a warm, humble man. When we spent the night Monday, he took care of us like we were part of his own family.
(the Parsons party)

Meg W.
6/13/2012 06:54:27 pm

Alan rocks! Please tell him I say hello. I miss our hikes off the mountain on my days off (when I was there he would give me a ride to near town) & unloading, unsaddling & giving the llamas their treats, etc. Fun. Hope he is having a great season!

Gina
6/13/2012 11:53:06 pm

Go Alan!

Nathan, as always, I enjoy reading your daily posts.

Barbara Daniel
6/14/2012 01:35:25 am

Just wondered why your daily posts haven't been on facebook.

High On LeConte
6/14/2012 10:40:43 am

Barbara,
Allyson here. Nathan is not on Facebook and I sometimes update the Facebook page if I have time while I am on my days off. I don't have access to his photos so I have to put up a link. Sorry for any inconvenience. You can always find his posts on the High On LeConte blog site.

Gina
6/15/2012 12:26:52 am

Leconte has a FB page? I have searched but havent found one

High On LeConte
6/15/2012 12:47:55 am

Gina, if you click on the "f" in the upper right hand corner of the page, it will take you to our facebook page. The page mentioned below is not affiliated with LeConte Lodge.

Darwin
6/14/2012 02:54:50 am

It used to be a dream of mine to climb Everest, now my more realistic dream is to hike the AP and the PCT.

i love visiting the blog every day

Juanita
6/14/2012 06:04:54 am

I think it would be nice if your post was on face book.

Amy L
6/14/2012 06:09:23 am

What a nice post about my old high school buddy, Alan Householder. He is indeed a mountain man through and through. I also loved reading your post about the llamas - what unique creatures!

Leon
6/14/2012 09:51:48 am

What does the term Ridgerunner mean in reference to Alan Householder?

Juanita
6/15/2012 12:34:41 am

Go to heath.s mt leconte page for face book


Comments are closed.
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