Good Day,
     We're fortunate enough to be basking in another beautiful day overlooking East Tennessee.  The skies are partly cloudy, but there's enough blue and sunshine to go around to keep things bright and pleasant.  Temps are comfortable at the moment, hanging out in the lower 60's. Our high mark yesterday came out to be 63 degrees, and our overnight low dropped to 46.  We haven't seen much precipitation lately, but the extended forecast shows a chance of thunderstorms  just about everyday for the region.  We'd expect nothing else for the month of June. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn't, but better to be safe and pack for rain anyways!

     It's enjoyable to see the mountain bursting with life at a frenetic pace now.  More plants are blooming, or growing in tall and thick.  Surely a testament to the rainfall and moderate temperatures we've been experiencing so far this year.  The deer that call this basin home have put on their reddish coats, and who knows if we'll see any new fawns in the near future.  And those red squirrels...they seem to be everywhere this season, chattering away at one another as well as human visitors.  Yesterday one decided to crash into the side of my foot while walking along at a casual pace.  Another "Boomer" this morning was so startled by my opening of the Office door that instead of running down the stairs or to the opposite end of the porch, it thought it better to leap straight out from the highest part of the handrail, eventually landing about ten feet out.  Crazy little buggers.
     If you're an upcoming guest, please don't entice these little guys with food, as there is no unlearning such bad habits from them.  Keep windows and doors closed at all times when your cabin is unoccupied, and store your belongings inside safely.  That will also detract the potential for unwanted bears ambling into camp.  Thanks!
     Have a great end of the week and happy trails.

Good Afternoon,
     Happy second weekend of June to you all!  It's a beautiful day on the mountain, and it's good to see so many folks motivated to get outside and explore.  We're enjoying temps in the low 60's currently with sun and clouds sharing the attention up above.  Our high temp yesterday was 58 degrees, followed by a low of 43.

     The scenery around camp continues to green up.  Some Dwarf Rhododendron above the Dining Hall are starting to bloom.  Elsewhere around lodge ground, the Coneflower, Purple Monkshood, Filmy Angelica, and White Snakeroot continue their ascent toward the sun, but won't start blooming for several more weeks yet.  It appears one of the natives, a deer, munched on one of the Turks Cap Lilies outside the kitchen, but I was delighted to find three more growing in a different location.  Fingers crossed the big critters don't sniff them out!
     Have a great weekend.

Good Afternoon,
     We've witnessed brief moments of sunshine and blue sky today, but the giant clouds refuse to let go of the mountain.  There was even a brief rain shower after lunch time.  The thermometer has barely scraped 50 degrees today, so expect slightly cooler than normal temps up top, especially during the evening.  It should return to warmer and sunny conditions over the weekend.  Yesterday's high temp managed to reach 60, and for the second day in a row we recorded a low of 38.

     Crew 93 would like to thank everyone who has kindly brought us goodies throughout the season.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness, as we certainly enjoy those particular sweets that are a little harder to come by on our own while on the mountain.  From peanut butter cups to hard candies, and carbonated beverages to newspapers, it's always well received by this group.
     It looks to be a gorgeous late spring weekend ahead of us, so try and fit a climb up your favorite mountain into your schedule.  With these warmer days, perhaps our lemonade will better suit your tastes versus the famous hot chocolate or some coffee.  Either way, we'll have them all ready for you!
     Take care and have a great rest of the day.

Good Afternoon Readers,
     We didn't get washed away, and it appears the sun is taking control of the situation.  We received 1.55" of rainfall yesterday, the kind that would come in brief but heavy downpours.  The weather for the majority of this week looks pleasant now, but as we all know, conditions can change on a dime in these mountains during the summer months.  For your own benefit, be sure and pack for rain anytime you head into these woods.  Our high temperature for the period came in at 58 degrees, and our low hit 47.  The sun and clouds are jockeying for position over the peaks, and there are the occasional wind gusts today. It's going to be cooler these next few days, so remember warm layers if you're staying with us!

     Have a great afternoon!

Greetings Everyone,
     We're listening to the sound of rain pelting windows and roof tops, and it is glorious!  After several dry days, this liquid precipitation business is greatly appreciated.  We tallied 0.43" of rain during the last measurement, and it's been coming down steadily much of today.  We've now eclipsed 40" of rain on the mountain for the year!  All of the vegetation around camp is happy about this fact, as they're all coming in green, tall, and full.  I've been admiring all of the new growth on the Frasier Firs and Red Spruces. Yesterday's temperatures saw little fluctuation, with our high rolling in at 58 degrees, and our low just down to 51. We're sitting in the mid 50's at the moment.

     It's time to call on another great LeConte pack llama, one that many people have laid eyes on before, though not necessarily in person.  The one and only...BUCK! (aka Bucky, Buck of a Buck <--Ask Chrissy).  This legendary packer has logged a ton of miles on this mountain, up there with the likes of Cliff and Chester.  In the past, he was known for hauling those fresh eggs our overnight guests enjoy for breakfast.  This year, you'll be able to pick him out from the team by his distinctive navy blue saddle bags.
     You may be wondering as to how you've seen this famous llama before, if not in person.  Well, those of you who purchased a certain ornament sporting a proud pack llama in years past are looking at none other than our favorite Buck pictured below!  This llama has gone well beyond earning his keep.  He's in our hearts, and he's in a great number of people's homes.  The wranglers look after him, and he looks after us, and we couldn't be more proud of what this llama has achieved in his career.
     May your next glass of famous LeConte orange tang be a toast to the likes of Buck!

     If you're out and about today, enjoy yourself and stay dry.  The temperatures in the coming days are expected to moderate, so hooray for that!  Take care.

Previously highlighted llamas:
Kramer, Denny, Chuck, Huey, Pete, Clifford, Rainbow Reuben.

Good Afternoon,
     It's great to welcome back the rain.  After several days of sunny and dry conditions, it's healthy to change it up a little.  We've experienced a handful of drizzles this morning, but it sounds like there are more significant rain chances later today.  The views into the valley below have vanished, and we're enveloped in clouds.  Our high temperature yesterday turned out to be 68 degrees, and our overnight low fell to 49.  Currently we're in the 50's and the rumbles of thunder are drawing nearer.

     We welcomed a great deal of people to the mountain yesterday, several returnees and a lot of new faces.  The warmth and the sunshine certainly played into making it a magical day on the mountain for all, capped off by a stellar sunset.  Camp expects to be less busy today, and this dreary afternoon weather is calling for some nap time.
​     Have a great end of the week.  We'll catch up later!

Howdy Friends,
     It's a sunny Saturday on the mountain, and this time of year, that equates to busy.  We even threw in a bonus llama trip today, so tending to the outstanding visitors and restocking some supplies has us smothered and covered. Our high temperature yesterday was 62 degrees, and our low hit 45.  We've been up, down and all around with temps today, but right now we're soaking up 66 degrees.
     It looks as though rain is slated to return as soon as tomorrow, so please dress appropriately if you intend to summit.  Thanks and have a great day!

Good Afternoon,
     It's the beginning of an exquisite weekend on the mountain.  Despite the light and fluffy cumulus clouds lingering, the temperatures are comfortable and the sun seems to be taking the upper hand.  Yesterday's high temp came in at 62 degrees, and our overnight low was a moderate 45.  We're enjoying 60 at the moment, and the llamas have already come and gone.

     Now is as good a time as any to throw in a Friday Flashback - kitchen edition.  Our Head Cook, Miss Heather, spoiled today's crew with some delicious pizzas for lunch, a personal favorite.  We can be a bit limited in what kinds of food we can prepare up here, on account of resources and space, but those charged with feeding the masses have come up with plenty of creative creations over the years utilizing a propane heated stove. Heather, and our Assistant Cook, Matt, are always satisfying the crew's taste buds, and they are well versed in cranking out the famous guest supper that our visitors have come to know and love. I don't stray far from cooking meals outside of guest breakfast, and depending on my availability, Ryn, Tim, or Henry may step in to that roll to make sure our guests are well fed before departing from the lodge in the morning. The crew, of course, rotates the afternoon kitchen shift in which they'll prepare the drinks and baked goods for visitors.  So in some fashion, everyone has to get familiar with our propane Vulcan stove.

     The above photo, courtesy of LeConte Lodge Historian and Crew Emeritus, Al Bedinger, shows the late Hardwick Speedi Baker once in service for the lodge.  According to Al, it would take a great deal of wood to keep that stove constantly burning for crew and guest meals.  The stove pictured also had a twin, in which both were hauled up the mountain on a mule-led sled via The Boulevard.  And you thought your hike was rough?  The large, shiny cylinder in the corner of the kitchen was the hot water tank.  Water would circulate from the tank to the wood stove's fire box by means of thermo-siphon action.  As many of you know, today we can access hot water on-demand ever since the installment of propane at the lodge.
     I hope you enjoyed today's historical tidbit.  We'll try and get some more throwbacks out as the season progresses.  In the meantime, have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!

Good Morning,
     Happy first day of June.  It is here and in sunny, beautiful fashion.  Today looks to be a great opportunity to spend some time outside doing projects, in which I hope everyone else is able to enjoy some time in the woods. Yesterday's high tabbed 62 degrees, and our overnight low was 46.  Guests were treated to a fabulous sunset last night, and there was no new precipitation.

     Oh yeah, it's that time again.  Our next llama to garner some special attention is a youngin'...RAINBOW REUBEN!!! Just look at that cute face.  Now surely some of you are wondering how on earth this particular packer earned such a name.  Generally, our boys receive shorter, one to two syllable average American male type names.  It helps if you're needing to get said llama's attention that you don't have to spend more time and energy just trying to pronounce his name. But sometimes, it's fun to step outside the lines and assist in giving one of these critters some character.
     Reuben came to the farm at a young age, donning a pink halter - unusual for a LeConte llama - and an obvious white patch on the forehead.  I was presented the opportunity of naming this little guy, an honorary first, so I wanted to make it a unique one.  I wanted to try and tie his name in with the mountain in some manner, much like Clifford Cliff Tops.  Given his physical appearance, the spot on the forehead represented where a unicorn horn could have been, and then to include that pink halter, it seemed like all that was missing was a rainbow to complete the ensemble.  Well, that solved part of the naming process, why not incorporate Rainbow Falls?
     I also felt it was important for him to have a surname, but one that would roll off the tongue and accompany the first name effectively.  Somewhere in my thinking process I turned to the subject of food.  I narrowed it down to a favorite sandwich, one that would also use some alliteration, which of course led me to Reuben.  Thus, a new adorable llama gained a proper identity...Rainbow Reuben.
     Fortunately for me, Chrissy, Alan, and Bonnie were accepting of this submission and it stuck.  They were less thrilled with my second choice...Myrtle Meatloaf.  Maybe we'll try that one again in the future!  This is just one example of the naming process when it comes to our famous fuzzy friends.  Reuben is small in stature, much like Kramer was, but he's already completed his training and is catching on to the packing routine quite well.  We're so proud of his progress.  He's still a little skiddish around new people, so if you have the pleasure of seeing him on the trail, please admire him and the rest of the team from a safe place along the path.
     Thanks for stopping by the site and have a great afternoon!

Greetings,
     Tis the last day of May.  Almost hard to believe that the summer season is already here.  It's been an interesting month to say the least, especially in terms of weather.  It's rained 17 of 31 days (and today still isn't over), as of this afternoon totaling 9.47".  We've seen a fair amount of warm sunny days and stellar solar shows, countered by plenty of getting to personally know the clouds. Temperatures have ranged from 71 to 20.  Winds have gone from nonexistent to the awesome force of near 90 mph.  We've been covered up in snow, and seen the plant life grow frenetically.  One typically expects June to be less diverse, but the way this year has gone, we'll just have to roll with whatever blows our way.  Expect the unexpected, pack for anything, and enjoy it to the max anyways.
     The sun and clouds have been doing a tango all day on top of the mountain. We're enjoying the 50's at the moment, where it feels great in the light, but still a wee bit chilly in the shade.  We reached 63 degrees for a high yesterday, getting down to 45 last night.  There was no new precipitation despite watching storms pass over the Tennessee Valley to the north during supper time.
     Have a great rest of the day!