Winter 2010

11/27/2010

Hello Everyone.

Feeling more like winter, This morning it was 13 when waking up. I think it would be safe to say that some sort of ice stabilizers/insteps/yaktraks are necessary for hiking the rest of the winter.

Ken T

11/27/2010 12:39:40 am

Alex, Welcome and have a great winter. maybe the snow will melt before my wife and I come up for a couple of days in April. However at 70 years young we have very good crampons. We needed them this Nov. right after the big snow.

Jim

11/27/2010 12:56:09 am

Alex I hope you have a good winter stay at the lodge. Hope to meet you sometime in January as I plan to stay at the shelter sometime during the month.

Bill Yeadon

11/27/2010 01:09:41 am

Alex,
Thanks for the post. I was afraid I was going into withdrawals without an update. I may see you sometime this winter and I will have ice walkers.

Joe Penland

11/27/2010 03:14:39 am

Alex,
It was good to see your first post. Look forward the rest of the winter postings. I like the picture but am unable to determine what it is.

Jim

11/27/2010 03:56:15 am

ICE.

scott

11/27/2010 04:05:04 am

Alex, thanks for keeping the pictures going. Maybe you could tell us about what you do in a normal day up there sometime. I know that everyone is curious. Stay safe

Janet

11/27/2010 08:20:49 am

Alex - You're a brave man!! Can't imagine what it would be like to be alone on the mountain. Peaceful, I would think, but have never experienced that kind of solitude so am just guessing. Love reading your posts and seeing your pictures - keep them coming so we can experience this adventure with you.

Ronnie

11/27/2010 08:39:21 am

Alex, thanks for the update. We will be checking your blog everyday. It's nice to be able to stay in touch. Stay warm, safe and take care of yourself.

Paul

11/27/2010 03:52:20 pm

Looking forward to getting up there soon. Thanks for the updates.

Patti Zeller link

11/28/2010 12:31:50 am

Alex, thanks for keeping the posts going. I love looking at the post every day and seeing the great pictures. Enjoy your winter!

Wanda

11/28/2010 07:10:13 am

So glad you are posting. I look forward to daily updates and photos.

What an awesome responsibility to be looking after such a beautiful place.
Wanda

Pat M

11/28/2010 09:45:15 am

Alex,

Thank you for taking over posting duties for this blog. Looking forward to your updates and photos.

Pat

Wes

11/29/2010 12:52:17 am

Totally jealous that you can stay up there alone all winter. Its been my dream to live alone on a mountain. Especially a place as beautiful as that. I was up there last week and it was magnificent.
Wes

Doug Y.

11/29/2010 01:02:24 am

I agree with those above; Just once, I'd love to be on the mountain for a week or so during the middle of winter; I think the caretaker's job would be just great. Enjoy.

Sandi

11/29/2010 10:19:58 am

Hope your winter is great. Thanks for the pictures. Hope to see you this winter.

Paul

11/29/2010 03:45:43 pm

Does the water flow all year or does it freeze and thaw?

High On LeConte

11/29/2010 11:52:20 pm

the water from the spring flows all year long. The winter caretaker has to get his water from the spring and carry it up to the kitchen. If you stay in the shelter, you will need to get your water from the spring.

Kay

11/30/2010 12:31:26 am

Alex, please post daily! I look forward each day to seeing what is going on up there and following your adventure there. Thank you!

Bill T

11/30/2010 07:12:50 am

Alex,

I'm planning to do a solo day hike on or about December 10th. I'd like to go up Rainbow and down the Bullhead. This will be my first winter hike to the top of Mt. LeConte. I've hiked it twice before in the summertime. A few questions:
1. What kind of ice stabilizers/insteps/yaktraks do you recommend, and where can I get some?
2. Can I refill my water bottles at the top for the return trip, or should I start out with enough water to last all day?
3. Can I drop in to say "hello" when I get to the top?
4. Do you have any other advice you'd like to pass along?

Thanks

scott

11/30/2010 07:48:55 am

either Alex fell asleep, it's extremely busy up there in the off season, or Alex hates computers.

Marsh W

11/30/2010 10:23:52 am

Hi Bill,

I can’t speak for Alex, but I can give you my opinion.

1 Yacktracks are worthless!
Spend about $40 and get some good strap on crampons online or at the Happy Hiker, I wouldn’t necessarily count on them to have them in stock on the day you need them however.
2 You can fill your water bottles at Basin Spring, on the Trillium Gap Trail just past the Lodge
3 Depends on the caretaker
4 If there is snow Cherokee Orchard road will be closed and be one of the last to be opened. If there is snow you could be breaking trail all the way up and down, Alum Cave trail will be much more likely to be broken. For a solo first winter trip I would recommend Alum, good crampons, good sense, good planning and plenty of emergency gear.

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Winter 2010

LeConte Lodge

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