High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

she's got a smile that sings to me.

12/7/2013

 
Picture
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. Aristotle
Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful morning up top. The high yesterday reached 51 (!!!) degrees. The low was 35 degrees. It was 35 degrees and clearing at 7am observation. The mountain received 1.12" of rain yesterday, most of it coming overnight. It's shaping up to be a gorgeous Saturday. It may be the last time this season you're able to hike up without any ice on the trails, so there's no time like the present. Enjoy the stunning weather!
Mark p
12/7/2013 01:13:09 am

Not bad temps for December! Hope you can enjoy it while it lasts.

Susan b
12/7/2013 01:39:20 am

Wonderful temps considering its December. Here in StL its 9 degrees.

doug y link
12/7/2013 02:21:54 am

Good morning.

Mamaw B
12/7/2013 03:05:22 am

Doug,
I believe your statistics on oldest AT Thru Hiker were incorrect. Grandma Gatewood is listed on the AT Conservancy Website as having completed her first thru hike at age 67 in 1955, 2nd thru hike in 1957 at age 69, her third hike was a completion of section hikes in 1964. There are several thru hikers who were older than she when they completed their thru hikes. I am one of those completing a thru hike in 2012 at age 71 and currently holding that record with another lady who was also 71. My advice no matter the age if you have the will power and the body will hold up is to go for it. I was not sure that my body would withstand hiking for six months but it did remarkably well. I never even suffered a blister to my feet on the entire 2,186 miles. I grew stronger as the hike progressed. I am sad to say that I have developed arthritis after the hike and was not able to complete a CDT thru hike this year. On the trail all are equal and age does not determine success or failure. Go for it!! and Happy Trails to all. :) I still find it hard to believe that I hiked for six months and walked that far. I have such amazing memories. It really makes one understand how little we actually need after carrying everything one needs on the back. When I got home I wanted to divest myself of all things as they are encumbrances and often keep us from doing those things we really would like to do. I enjoy the comments on this site.

doug y link
12/7/2013 05:05:27 am

Mamaw B: NO. I did NOT say that "Grandma Gatewood" was the oldest to have hiked the A.T. I only wrote that she was 77 the third time she accomplished the feat, whether it was in sections or a thru-hike, and she was that age sometime in 1964; The ATC, then called the Appalachian Trail Conference (now Conservancy I believe). reported in one of their newsletters that Gatewood's age was 77. If you go to the Dec 1st blog page here you'll see exactly what I posted, although the date I posted it was the 2nd as the blog hadn't yet been updated from the 1st. Regardless of who is the oldest to have completed it all in a single season, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who accomplished the journey, it remains a unique milestone for anyone who did. I wish I could say that I have done it in one year, but I cannot, although throughout my "hiking life", spanning over fifty years, I have hiked every mile of the A.T. and proud of it. I liked your description of your own A.T. thru-hike - - I highly commend and admire you for that ! I'm 63 with upcoming knee surgery, and with a wee bit of luck, inner fortitude, determination, and planning, I, too, might perhaps make the "Big Hike" before I depart this world. Thank you for sharing the account of your hike, and if you share the record as you stated above, then I offer my congradulations and consider it an honor to know you now, if only thru this site; Bravo ! And to add, I always enjoy your posts, advice, and comments; keep them going; Remember: "No matter where you go, there you are" G'day friend

Kaye
12/7/2013 03:37:59 am

MamawB, Wow, you are truly my inspiration. I have a long time dream of hiking
the AT when I retire in a year and a few months. I admire you so much for accomplishing such a feat. Wow, do you hike LeConte. I usually make this hike in October. I would love to meet you!

doug y link
12/7/2013 06:47:18 am

Kaye: Your dream sounds great. Your statement reminded me that I, too, wanted to say that I'd like to meet Mamaw B, and I would. Sorry I didn't say it in my post above;

Debi
12/7/2013 09:23:43 am

51 wow! I hear the cold is coming. Enjoy the warmth while you can. Doug and Mamaw B., I totally respect your wisdom of hiking and Thank you both!

doug y link
12/7/2013 10:36:43 am

Thanks Debi; I have few regrets from my life, but if I could today go back and change one thing it would be to live much closer to the Smokies ! If I had, well, the possibilities were endless; but, I enjoy these days being able to go hiking almost as much as I can fit in; the bad knee has become an obstacle, but I'm confident I'll overcome it; I'm a tough old fart and I believe my recovery will be speedy; I can't wait to get back up to the lodge, and I believe you share this sentiment, eh !? Good evening !

Terry
12/7/2013 10:26:50 am

It was colder in Birmingham AL than it was on Mt. Leconte.
Thanks for the post.

Mary, Ohio
12/7/2013 12:42:46 pm

Mamaw B. Congratulations! I too admire your accomplishments and hope to one day make my own trek of the AT and take in all of God's beauty! I enjoy reading yours and Doug's blogs and appreciate ya alls words of wisdom and advice. God bless and happy hiking!

Ray
12/7/2013 03:18:22 pm

Where can I find excerpts from the A T hikes

Tony Ga
12/7/2013 03:25:43 pm

?? Trail Journals.com?

doug y link
12/8/2013 12:24:39 am

I haven't been a member for a while, but I would think that the Appalachian Trail Conservancy might have such excerpts. Sunday morning and everything is iced over - - I can only imagine what it's like up on Mt. Leconte or any of the higher peaks of the Smokies.

debnfl
12/8/2013 12:46:17 am

Looks like a day to hike to me! Go while we can.

“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.”
-- Raymond Inmon





Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable.  Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain!

    For information regarding GSMNP's paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Lodge Gift Shop Hours:
    9:00 - 10:00 AM
    ​12:00 - 4:30 PM

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture