Brrrrrrr....... The temperature never left the 20s. We started at 28º and dropped until the low hit 17º. The winds have been howling all day and night. Winter has reached Mt. LeConte. My dreams of sand and warm Hawaiian days have intensified. With only 37 days left in the season, I will be playing in the sand before I know it. I hope these visions will keep me warm over the next few days. It sounds like we are in for some snow and cold weather.
If you are hiking up this weekend, please remember to bring plenty of warm layers. You will want your hat and gloves and warm clothes to change into when you reach the top. If you are day hiking, make sure you leave plenty of time to make it off the mountain before the sun goes down. The nights are not forgiving.
Magda Sonnier
10/24/2013 01:05:17 am
OMGoodness!! That is Cold!!! It's beautiful though and so wish I was there! Stay warm and God Bless and Keep you Safe!
Scott Silveus
10/24/2013 01:32:09 am
We will see you Friday around noon for a day hike. Is the forecast still cold but sunny?
Gina
10/24/2013 01:43:02 am
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Vicki Towe
10/24/2013 02:04:14 am
Do any of you know if the leaves are still pretty at the bluffs? 10/24/2013 02:06:03 am
http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-LeConte/forecasts/2010
Missy
10/24/2013 03:11:52 am
Thanks for posting this weather forecast map. We are novices, prepping for our first overnight hike. This is very helpful in knowing what to expect. Looks like perfect weather up top for us!
Jenny
10/24/2013 02:40:58 am
We hiked down yesterday and they were beautiful.... Post card beautiful...
Vicki Towe
10/24/2013 02:06:29 am
The photo is Beautiful! You guys do such a good job on keeping us updated,and showing us the beauty from up top! :)
Susan B
10/24/2013 02:26:52 am
Beautiful picture today! It is so peaceful looking.
Linda Stewart
10/24/2013 03:07:34 am
Not sure how I feel about the chill this early. I was hoping for a nice warm weekend for our last trip over the mountain this year. Guess we'll have to pack the warm duds instead of the swim suits and such. Oh Well!!! We're gonna come on over and give it all we got anyway!
Missy
10/24/2013 03:13:06 am
Is that snow or frost in the picture? Just the other day I purchased a supply of hot chocolate mix, so I'm essentially prepared for the cold weather. Perhaps I'm crazy or just eccentric or whatever, but I absolutely love hiking in cold weather, and I've never actually experienced any trouble nor discomfort when doing so. Preparation is the key. A wee bit of stubbornness doesn't hurt either I suppose. I had several hikes planned for December and January, up and down Mt. Leconte and two or three other routes in the area, but with my knee surgery looming come those months I'll probably not undertake the hikes as planned, and this really disappoints me. But I'm optimistic that my recovery will be both thorough and speedy. I was thinking that it would be a pleasure to meet some of the readers of this blog if nothing else but to get together and do some winter hiking, but perhaps it's wiser to schedule such endeavors for next year rather than this coming winter season. I enjoy all the stories and accounts of those who do the cold-weather hiking so I'll be content with those. G'day and good hiking !
Big Al
10/24/2013 06:41:57 am
I'm a little anxious about our cold weather overnight hike to the lodge next weekend. We've got yaktraks...layers...cap...gloves. Any tips on cold weather hiking for neither "trouble nor discomfort?"
Brian N bama
10/24/2013 11:20:39 am
I would start out feeling cold. You will warm up quickly, if you can't handle the cold, layer up and you can shed it once you get to arch rock. Do not take a chance on the snow and ice. Put on the yaktrax on early, no need to risk a fall if you have them. Just use extreme caution when you get to the areas that have the cables, it can be very slick. First and foremost, its not a race. Slow down and enjoy the views and be safe. HAPPY TRAILS
Steve D
10/25/2013 08:00:30 am
Big Al-Brian N Bama was right on, the only thing that I would add about winter hiking in the ice and snow would be that once I bought a pair of trekking poles, I was amazed at how much safer and stable I felt with them. The Day Hiker store in Gatlinburg has some good ones and of course Nantahala has them as well, I got a really good pair there for $60 I think. Also, they will rent them to you for like $10 for a 24 hour period which is great. Enjoy!
Darleen Poe
10/24/2013 04:19:42 am
We were there one year in April when the temperatures dropped to 7 degrees and something like 25 below with the wind chill. I was DEFINITELY not prepared for that... Thank goodness for those really warm wool blankets! Oh and this was back in the days when the cabins were "heated" (Yeah right) with Kerosene heaters.
Debi
10/24/2013 05:03:15 am
Its getting outside is the biggest challenge. Thinking its too cold! We'll its going to get a lot colder. So, start with the tank top, long sleeved tshirt, fleece hooded sweatshirt, then the winter coat. Fleece hat, gloves, pants, my rip tearing walking shoes and I'm good to go. Once I'm out I'm fine!! But when your inside sipping on a hot cup of coffee and the wind is blowing and its spiting half rain, half snow at me up here in Michigan. Just want to stay inside and play Words With Friends all winter with Gina. lol. Ok, I can do both!!
Gina
10/25/2013 01:00:35 am
LOL, I hear ya
Mike
10/24/2013 05:59:18 am
Be up for a day hike on Sunday in the cold: But will be warming up in Hawaii on 10/6
Kaye
10/24/2013 06:25:45 am
Thanks Allyson for this beautiful photo. I hiked one year at Halloween. Snow and ice at the top. Also got to see the Jack O Lantern's that the crew had carved. We even got to vote for our favorite one. What fun! Words can't describe how pretty the mountain was. I am hoping to make a day hike up on New Year's Eve. Love Mt. LeConte and this area of my state. Can't wait to retire here in about 1 year and 6 months, who's counting, lol
Barbara
10/24/2013 09:31:07 pm
Kaye, we're "retiring" to the area in about one year and can't wait to hit the trails on a more regular basis. We hope to start building a new home within the next month and once it's done we're down there! Mt Leconte is a favorite destination and some winter hiking will be a long awaited treat.
Coffee Junky
10/24/2013 07:22:49 am
May be coming up Saturday. Will we need ice cleats for Alum Cave trail to the lodge?
Brian N bama
10/24/2013 11:22:24 am
I would go prepared to hit ice and snow. In the shaded sections, often the ice will not melt. HAPPY TRAILS
Robert Beckwith
10/24/2013 10:46:59 am
Hiking up for a stay November 13 ... wow wonder what it will be like then if it is like this now ... glad we love snow!!
Scott
10/24/2013 01:41:40 pm
Hoping to be up top next saturday weather permitting. Comments are closed.
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LeConte LodgeWelcome 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! Archives
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