on my last night on earth, i want to look to the sky. just breathe in the air, blink in the light.

3/7/2015

To my surprise, I felt a certain springy keenness. I was ready to hike. I had waited months for this day, after all, even if it had been mostly with foreboding. I wanted to see what was out there. All over America today people would be dragging themselves to work, stuck in traffic jams, wreathed in exhaust smoke. I was going for a walk in the woods. I was more than ready for this. Bill Bryson

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 27 degrees. The overnight low was12 degrees. It was 21 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation and there is still patchy snow and ice on the trails. I would definitely recommend Microspikes if you intend to reach the summit. It's far more fun to hike with assurance than with fear of slipping and seriously injuring yourself in the backcountry. Get out and enjoy the quiet, cold woods!

Rick Shepherd

3/7/2015 02:03:56 am

Thanks for reminding me to take A Walk In The Woods, JP!

Whiteman

3/7/2015 11:48:39 am

And unusual for a thru hiker to even mention Bryson

Josh Scheutzow

3/7/2015 02:23:03 am

Question: is the water spigot at the top turned on?? Coming up next weekend and didn't know whether to bring double the water! Thanks!

Steve D

3/7/2015 04:00:58 am

Josh-It is not on during the winter, when the staff gets back up there next weekend, they will likely turn it on but no guarantee they will by the time you hike. Unless you hear differently, I would bring double.

ric

3/7/2015 08:47:20 am

there is a spring just down trillium gap trail if its not frozen. maybe 100 yards or so from the lodge. carrying a little extra could be a good thing.

norman

3/7/2015 04:45:56 am

JP, glad to hear from Bill Bryson. Tammy, where do you live, if i may ask?

Tammy

3/7/2015 04:27:09 pm

Norman, I live in Texas. My husband and I have been married for 36 years and we visited the GSMNP area the first summer that first summer. I've been coming to the area every year since. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a year. I visit every October without fail. This past fall was only the second time he had traveled during fall foliage with me and he could not get over how beautiful the mountains were in full color! Jenny, it's okay if ya'll ask where I'm from. I really enjoy looking at the Leconte staff's pictures and reading their posts everyday. I also enjoy reading everyone's comments too! I just usually don't post anything.

3/7/2015 04:42:04 pm

My goal for 2015 is to somehow make it all the way up to the top of Mt. Leconte. My husband got the bright idea of hiring a helicopter to drop me off up there, but I informed him that wasn't possible as I believed they only used them for emergencies and occasional supply drops. Then, since we had the opportunity this past July to meet Chrissy (I think I have her name correct) the llama wrangler, he said maybe I could ride one of the llamas up. He was half joking and half not! I told him that wasn't possible either. I am going to make it on my own two feet. Jenny, Norman, I don't know if you are on the trails to leconte often, but after finding this site and enjoying it so much, I hope to cross paths with ya'll someday. I know what you all mean about this mountain...these mountains...being such a special place. I get it and I feel the same.

3/8/2015 12:18:28 am

Thanks Tammy, I'v only been to the top twice and can't get there now, but have loved the place ever since! Have wanted to go to Texas. My wife and I have been married 41 years, she has never been to the top, only to the Alum Cave Bluff, many years ago, when the kids were young, dnd us too. Due to efects of cancer treatments, she will never see the lodge.

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on my last night on earth, i want to look to the sky. just breathe in the air, blink in the light.

LeConte Lodge

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