Good Morning!

Wishing y’all a Thrilling Thursday from the top of Mt LeConte. Imagine standing on the porch, sipping fresh hot black coffee, watching the sun rise on a clear windless morning while listening to Bluegrass Christmas music—I believe that I must have the best job in the world!

The temperature here is a balmy 30 degrees and the skies are clear—this would be a great day to “take a hike “! Imagine the views from Cliff Tops today!

But that’s enough day dreaming—it’s time to haul more water up from the spring! Even the pleasure of living “off the grid “ has a price!

I hope that y’all have a great day!

Our reservations office will be closed this Friday, December 22nd as well as Monday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday. Normal business hours will resume next Tuesday.

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

GOOD MORNING TO Y’ALL!

MAYDAY! MAYDAY!

If you are interested in learning more about the 54 (or more) plane crashes in the Smoky Mountain National Park since it’s creation, you should read the book, MAYDAY! MAYDAY!

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:30 PM I was really concerned that I might be called upon to practice my first aid skills and to write another chapter for the book.

I had just hauled ten gallons of water up from the spring to the kitchen. While I was still “suited up “ for the fifteen degree temperatures, I decided to proceed on my daily ramblings around the top of the mountain to Apollo Overlook and the backcountry shelter. I like to visit the shelter every day in the late afternoon just to see who my “new neighbors” are for the night.

As I left the shelter I heard very loud airplane propeller noise approaching from the south (North Carolina) side of the mountain. As I stood and listened and watched, I saw a small single engine red and white airplane fly over High Top—the top of Mt LeConte. It was only about 100 feet over the tops of the trees! I have been hiking in the Smokies since 1980 and Mt LeConte for almost that long. I have never seen a single wing single engine airplane fly that low! If I was a pilot flying over a mountain that we know is 6,593 feet tall, I think that it would be prudent to fly at least above 7,500 feet elevation! He made it over the mountain and circled back to the south.

I was relieved that he made it! I really thought that the plane might crash. Then I would have to call 911, demonstrate my knowledge of first aid, and assist with a helicopter rescue. This would be interesting and exciting because there was less than two hours of daylight remaining. Then I would probably have to write another chapter for MAYDAY! MAYDAY!

He made it. I called the park service when I got back to the lodge. The ranger who answered the phone asked me if I had the numbers on the fuselage. The plane was so low that I would have been unable to see that because of the trees.

There is a cell phone app that enables you to take a picture of a plane and tells you the type of plane, the owner, the origin, the destination, the name of the pilot and probably anything else that one might wish to know. Perhaps I should get this app for my phone!

I think that we were all very lucky today!

Any other questions about what a Mt LeConte Lodge winter caretaker does “in all of their spare time?”

Have a Great Day!
WILDCAT/Bert

GOOD MORNING, FOLKS!

The temperature here at the Lodge this morning is 4 degrees. We received just a trace of snow last night. The temperature yesterday was 22 degrees.

Living alone on LeConte in the winter is an awesome experience that is almost impossible to describe! You would have to be here for a month or two to begin to understand and appreciate it. Being outside alone in the sunshine with cloudless blue skies and sparkling white frost on the green trees can perhaps be best described as a spiritual experience! Much more so than anything that has ever happened to me in any church that I have ever been in! There was perfect silence with all this beauty surrounding me—alone with a power greater than us.

And then the day hikers began to arrive and the service was over. I wish that you could have been there with me.

Highway 441 was closed this morning, but should reopen later today. If you visit the mountain today, be sure to dress warmly—remember that mittens are warmer than gloves!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

GOOD MORNING, FRIENDS!

I was expecting to be greeted by a fresh layer of snow this morning—but now the weatherman says that I’ll have to wait until tomorrow!

It’s 21 degrees outside and the mountain received 0.4 inches of precipitation yesterday—it looks nice on the trees, but not so nice on the trails!

LeConte had visitors from Belgium and Australia yesterday. Unfortunately the skies were cloudy and they got no views after traveling that far! I advised them to try, try, try again! Such is life on Mt LeConte.

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

Good Morning, Y’all!

After almost a week of snow and ice on the ground, suddenly this morning it has almost all disappeared. Yesterday LeConte received 0.30 inches of rain and had warmer temperatures and had winds during the night—all of these factors combined helped to melt the snow.

Highway 441 was closed late yesterday afternoon, but is now reopened. Up to five inches of new snow is predicted for tonight. The sky is still cloudy.

I hope that y’all have a Super Sunday!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

GOOD MORNING FROM MT LECONTE!

BREAKING NEWS!

THE TRILLIUM GAP TRAIL IS CLOSED!

A park ranger came up the mountain early Friday afternoon and posted a new sign on the trail above the Lodge. (Please see photo above.). The trail is temporarily closed for an indefinite period of time. Please stay tuned for new developments!

The weather up here on top is a little warmer than yesterday but it’s now cloudy and windy. There is still a little bit of snow on the ground and a lot of ice. Be prepared for changing weather—probably rain followed by snow. If y’all choose to get out and hike today remember to stay safe, dry, and warm!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

Good Morning, Everyone!

THE LODGE IS CLOSED--
BUT THE PRIVY IS NOT!!

One of the most frequently asked questions up here is, “Do you have a restroom?”
Yes, we do.

Next would be, “Where can I get water?”
I show them the spring.

Next is, “Where can I see a good view?”
I tell them about Cliff Tops, Myrtle Point, and Apollo Overlook.

But one of the best was this morning when three young men were standing beside the sign that clearly states that “THE LODGE IS CLOSED “ and asked where they could get something to eat. I told them that would probably be Gatlinburg—I thought they had some restaurants there.

It’s always best to be well prepared whenever you go hiking or backpacking in the mountains! Reminder that services won’t resume until next March.

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

Howdy, Folks!
Everything is shaping up nicely for an awesome day on Mt LeConte! Clear cloudless blue skies, sun shining brightly. The current temperature is 32 degrees.

This will be a great day for hanging out at Cliff Tops and/or Myrtle Point—or just sitting in the sun on the porch!

The trails are still slick and icy, so it’s important that you are properly equipped and using caution.

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

Hello, Friends!

The ice is not melting very quickly up here. Yesterday’s high temperature was 33 degrees—the current temperature 32. At least the sun is shining!

My eighty year old friend came up the Alum Bluff trail for the 112th time this year this morning. He reported that hikers should have traction devices from Gracie’s Pulpit to the top.

Stay warm—be safe!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert

Good Morning, Folks!

It’s still cold and winter up here on LeConte, but at least the sun is shining. Yesterday’s high temperature was 23 degrees and the low was 12 degrees. The temperature today is already up to 21!

There were only two day hikers yesterday. One was well prepared—and one was not! The temperature never got above freezing yesterday, but the bright sunshine did cause some snow to melt. With the temperature dropping to 12 degrees last night we now have lots of ice! Be prepared!

Remember to drink lots of fluids to stay well hydrated—this will help your little body to stay warm!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert