More Snow Coming

1/5/2011

High 24, Low 20
Snow in the forecast for today and the next few days.
There is a 3 walled shelter on Leconte, but it is not warm, There is no tent camping allowed on the mountain, or fires. And knocking on my door in the middle of the night because you brought a 20 degree sleeping bag and its -2 outside isn't appreciated :). You can call the park service for reservations at the shelter at: 865 436 1231
Starting some Kombucha today.
Ready for some snow.

1/5/2011 12:13:08 am

LeConte is an unforgiving place in the winter time. Hikers should take some pride in being able to handle the conditions. Be prepared for the worst or don't go.

Kim B.

1/5/2011 01:26:40 am

Amazing photos...i'm in awe of these photos. Keep warm up there and stay safe. We'll be up during the summer!

Robert Geer

1/5/2011 01:42:48 am

I agree with Ed. Mt. LeConte is a kind & gentle mountain unlike Mt. Washington. That being said the only death I've seen on a mountain was on Mt. LeConte. When I climbed on 1/31 the conditions were between extreme hiking & technical mountaineering. I was glad I brought an ice ax for the summit. The ice falls at Alum Cave are under rated & potentially deadly. There are still under prepared hikers above Alum; I saw two parties in jeens & cotton Ts. Be safe.

Tom

1/5/2011 01:42:59 am

I hope that middle of the night "visitors" do not happen very often! How rude& selfish! I was hoping that the intelligence of anyone who would hike this time of year would be a little higher. Strength and "courage"? are not enough.
Take care and I hope that you can enjoy the solitude as much as possible! I won't even think about coming until late March!

Jim

1/5/2011 02:19:48 am

Well written ED; consider and prepare for the worst. At the very best failure to do so will result in a very miserable trip; it could be much worse.

I strongly caution hikers not to be lulled into slacking on preparations by pics of people wearing small packs and wearing light clothing while standing in knee deep snow.

Wally

1/5/2011 03:46:52 am

Starting some Kombucha today, you said

You have a recipe you can send me? Stay safe up there.

1/5/2011 04:15:52 am

I agree with Tom, how rude of people. Great pics again!!! I hope to hike Leconte for the first time this year...but not until it's alot warmer!!!
Thank you again!!

1/5/2011 04:25:58 am

Connie Houk

1/5/2011 04:47:49 am

This makes me think of the old saying "If you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen". Hikers..."If you can't take the cold stay off of LeConte in the winter". Do your research before starting any trip...or it could turn out to be deadly.
Beautiful Pictures!

sandee link

1/5/2011 05:44:40 am

Beautiful pictures, really puts into perspective how cold it is up there. Stay warm, and good luck on the Kombucha ( what ever that is, lol )

Justin Ellis

1/5/2011 07:44:14 am

Great Pictures. I will make sure if we venture up your way that no one comes knocking at 2am. That is unless they come bearing gifts. ;) All that aside those that are recommending mountaineering gear, would you go beyond hiking boots and stabilicers? Clothing wise my group has gear for a future trip we are taking to Rainer, layers, layers and more layers. And of course a Sub zero bag.

Kaye

1/5/2011 08:12:25 am

Alex, what beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I look forward each day to seeing Mt. LeConteduring each season. I plan on hiking back up in April. Enjoy the beautiful Mountain and stay warm!!

Dana P

1/5/2011 10:23:21 am

Alright, having worked for the NPS in the Smokies in Resources MGMT and worked more carry-outs and SARs than I want to remember, my first being the death of a young male..sure there were times when I had to wonder about humans ability to use their brains but there where also times when things happen that were beyond the control of an EXPERIENCED hiker!! Don't get all high and mighty. Also I'd would like to remind folks that the "lodge" at LeConte ONLY exists because the USNPS ALLOWS it to!!!! I surely HOPE that if an emergency happened one would be understanding and willing to lend a helping hand or warm haven.

karl

1/5/2011 11:58:22 am

OK, I'm gonna wade in and stir things up I'm sure. First, I love this site and thank you Alex for the pics and updates- I envy your job! I look at this site daily and love it.
So here we go --- Cabin way back up in the mtns., Hard and severe conditions for anyone no doubt. Someone having life threatening problems knocks on a door of a cabin with smoke comming from the smokestack--greeted by a less than (thrilled,accomodating,friendly-fill in your descriptive, inhabitant) What would anyone else in dire straits do but seek help?? Some part of the winter caretakers job is to render aid to those in distress, no?
And to top it all off------ALCOHOL on the premises!!! Yeah I'm gonna get a lot of less than friendly responses.
BTW I am a Leconte Lodge employeee Alumni-- 7yrs worth-late sixties and early seventies- and I might add not without transgressions myself!!

Mark

1/5/2011 12:07:01 pm

Please don't be to critical of people. I once took a winter trip to LeConte during the winter and things went bad very quickly and unexpectedly. A couple of my family members did not have the cold weather gear for the extreme cold for that night. I'm so thankful the lodge keeper came to the shelter that night to check on every one. He made the assesment that my family members were midly hypothermic and didn't have the gear for the cold night. He let them stay in the lodge that night, thankfully. He said he would rather do that than carry a frozen body out of the shelter, which he said he had done before. I learned a lot from others mistakes that trip and when I go up now, I'm prepared for record low temps regardless of forecast. I certainly hope the lodge keeper would do this again for someone. I love this sight and check it daily. Incredible pictures. Hey, I plan on coming up there next Thursday night, can I bring you anything(less than a pound)?

Jacob

1/5/2011 03:19:31 pm

I can see both sides of the arguments. Alex, I completely understand your frustration with unprepared hikers. I hiked up to the lodge just before Christmas and was almost over prepared. However, I also researched winter hiking and check your blog daily. But, most people don’t follow the blog and just don’t really think that it is that severe up there. I also can understand the posts of Dana and Karl. Unfortunately, I think that unprepared hikers are inevitable and just part of the job. Thanks and love the pictures.

randy

1/6/2011 01:03:28 am

I support your view. I am sure that if an emergency arose, you would accomodate to save a human life. The 2 a.m. knucklehead whos idea to hike up a mountain with a t-shirt and a 6 pack is another story. Bring the gear you need and be safe. Being alone up on the mountain has its own risks and having strangers up on the mountain is a risk to the caretaker, not only letting them stay in a warm spot for the night, but rescuing someone in such conditions has its own risks to the rescuer. Having dragged a few bodies myself, its not fun. I enjoy your pics and posts, thank you for sharing and caring from a wonderful magic place that I love to visit.

Richard

1/8/2011 01:43:34 am

What happened to personal responsibility? I stayed at the shelter this night (1/5) and thought I had it all to myself, but hours after nightfall, four college kids showed up freezing, wet, and tired. Not only were they unprepared for the cold temps (running shoes, cotton clothing, and soaking wet), but they knowingly did not follow park regulations (brought a dog and made a fire right outside the shelter). Including these guys, on this night alone there were five unprepared individuals who unnecessarily put themselves in a dangerous situation. It is these people who are reliant on others for their safety in the backcountry who give most backpackers/climbers a bad name.
As for the questions on bringing mountaineering gear for Le Conte, it is not a technical peak - no steep ice or snow, no chopping steps or need to self arrest. Just be prepared to stay warm in cold temps.

Joe

1/12/2011 03:27:34 am

Personal responsibility is a must. If you don't know the conditions, ask. If you don't have the gear, buy it. But if you don't know what you are doing, stay off the mountain until warmer temps arrive. I hiked / climbed/ roped/ and snowshoed my way up a few years ago in subzero temps and blizzard conditions. Most fun I've had with crampons on in a while. Good luck people!

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