November 1, 2019

UPDATE 5:30 PM - US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) is back open. Watch for ice and snow on the roads and trails, as temps are expected to dip well below freezing again along the upper elevations. Visitors now have access to all trails accessing Mt. LeConte this weekend.

​————————————————————————————-

Good Afternoon,

There is nothing to prepare you for calling life at 6593 feet home. The weather alone is a crazy roller coaster ride. Yesterday we received 2.0 inches of rain but temperatures stayed in the lower 50s for most of the day. Wind speeds fluctuated all day with high gusts around 40 mph. Once dinner rolled around we saw the temperatures drop very fast with an overall low of 14 degrees! Snow was inevitable. We received 0.5 inches of snow. With as much rain as we got mixed with 14 degree weather we woke this morning to an icy/snow covered camp. Its going to be a clear sunny day but temperatures are not going to rise above the upper 30s. Expect trail conditions to be icy, traction devices are a MUST. No more rain on the forecast for the weekend but we are expecting these below freezing temperatures to remain. For those planning a trip up be sure to bring those traction devices, watch for ice at higher elevations and check road conditions through the National Park Services to plan your hike.
No matter the weather, the crew always has a good time. Halloween festivities were had last night, including a pumpkin carving contest. The winner goes to crew members Kemp and Erin for their "I hiked it Halloween" pumpkin pictured below. Afterwards scary movies were played late into the night along with a few games. Certainly a halloween for the books.