Weather and trail update

1/22/2013

Good morning, The high yesterday was 28, and a low of -5. It was 2 at observation. It is very windy and gusty at the top. Trails are still very icy. As hiker yesterday reported there are two sections where root balls are in the trail and make it difficult to navigate around. Coming down from the Lodge one is located at the start of the saddle and the other one is just above Alum. The one at Alum is the most difficult. There are about 5 trees between these two areas but they are not bad to get around.

Photo above looking out of kitchen toward Pigeon Forge with solar panel, weather station (white box) and crew quarters in the background.

tomk in SC

1/22/2013 02:52:41 am

I've missed a few times on guessing the photo, but it would appear the photo can't be FROM the kitchen as it is looking AT the back deck of the dining room.. Photo likely from just outside the Ashberry cabin.

2F! That is plenty cold!

What was the coldest night anyone has spent at the LeConte Shelter? How did it go? I can't imagine crawling in to my sleeping bag at that shelter and discovering, about an hour later, that my sleeping bag was not rated for the impending cold.

Have there been any LeConte hypothermia emergencies?

Tony Ga

1/22/2013 03:00:40 am

Looks like the photo was taken right outside the kitchen where the Lamas are usually tied?

Tony Ga

1/22/2013 03:10:06 am

Go back and look at the photo posted 4/17/12.

Brian N bama

1/22/2013 03:57:33 am

I've been away long enough, time to get back on the blog..I am hopefully going up late february to stay in the shelter. Suppose I will find out if my bag is suitable.

Aaron O in NC

1/22/2013 03:23:22 am

I've stayed in the shelter when supposedly the reported low was -11 F. Not sure if that was accurate. I think it was Dec 30...maybe 2000 or 2001. When I made the reservation, they said I got the last spot in the shelter and it would be a full house. I was the only one that ever showed up that night! My bag was a zero degree but my feet got to where I couldn't feel them so I melted snow and boiled the water, put it in a Nalgene and in between my feet.

Kent

1/22/2013 03:25:17 am

*Shiver* It's cold all over the lower 48, right now. That Arctic air mass has us by the root balls.

In just about 2-1/2 months I'll hopefully be making the trek back up to LeConte Lodge. I wonder what the weather will be like on April 3.

tomk in SC

1/22/2013 03:54:35 am

Kent, as it turns out, I checked an almanac and the weather on April 3rd and the next calls for rain, cold and storms something fierce! The wind will be a blowing with trees breaking off and rootballs a rollin' up hill. Trails will surely be impossibly impassible! The smart play is to stay off the mountain in weather like that.

Now as it turns out, I have this nasty skin condition that can only be treated by cold rain and blowing wind in thin air. I really MUST be out in that kind of weather for my health. If I just barely avoid pneumonia, then the treatment went about right. The next opportunity for me is OCT 7th, but I just can't wait that long!

So, for your safety and my general health, I am willing to relieve you of the financial burden of prudently abandoning your slots, by offering you 75 cents on the dollar for your slots.

It's not for me, you understand, but for my children. Imagine, after my April treatment, there smiley faces as I squat down and give them hugs without having to wear long sleeves.

Wonder no more about wandering out in weather hardly fit for man nor beast.

Brian N bama

1/22/2013 04:13:27 am

tomk in SC, I made the mistake of booking a boys only trip in May, the weekend of mothers day!!!! Could wind up being my most expensive trip to Leconte ever after the girls are done with me.

Kent

1/22/2013 04:23:32 am

Root balls rolling up hill, you say? Now that would be an amazing sight!

Sorry, Tom, I should have explained that I don't have a reservation at the lodge (going up and down the same day). But if I did, I'd give it to you for free for that very eloquently worded attempt to scare me off. ;)

tomk

1/22/2013 04:53:27 am

@Kent. . .that's mighty sporting of you. :)

Steve D

1/22/2013 06:54:15 am

HaHa! That was a good one!

Pat N.

1/22/2013 05:33:27 am

Nice to see the sun shining for ya...oh, how I fondly remember who resided in the crew quarters pictured.

Wayne

1/22/2013 05:35:56 am

I believe one of the readers/posters here is going to be at that shelter one night this week in order to watch the "moonset" very early in the morning around 2-3 am or so. Perhaps he'll give an accounting of his stay when he returns. I hope his sleeping bag is rated for extremely low temperatures !

MattR

1/22/2013 08:21:00 am

Heading to the top this week for the first time. Looking fwd to the moon and snow. Will make for some nice well lit packless excursions at night. I am counting on the 0 degree Banshee to keep me warm at night. I just hope my fuel doesnt freeze so I can have a warm dinner and coffee in the morning.

Mike

1/22/2013 09:33:44 am

This just posted by the NPS. The new reservation system will take effect Feb 13, 2013. For all you folks going to stay the night at the shelter, it will cost you around 4 bucks. Just FYI.

Debi

1/22/2013 08:54:10 pm

First time I went up in March 2009 I think it was 16 and lightly snowing.

Tony Ga

1/22/2013 10:15:34 pm

I guess that was like early spring to you from where you live? LOL

Wayne

1/23/2013 12:37:11 am

I haven't seen him on here today, but I do believe the fellow is going to be at the shelter above the lodge tonight, I hope he has clear skies for his efforts. Is anyone else planning to go !? According to astronomy sources Jupiter can be seen below and to the right of the nearly full moon and in fact Mars is to the left of Jupiter almost directly below the moon. An interesting combination. It'll be cold to say the least. Hopefully he'll post his observations and comments in another day or two after he returns.

Ralph

2/2/2013 01:25:25 am

Happy Groundhog Day!

Isaac link

2/24/2013 09:33:37 pm

I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to achieve my goals. I certainly love reading everything that is written on your blog.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!

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