First of all, I would like to say, "Happy Birthday, Norman." The LeConte Lodge Crew hopes you had a wonderful day. We had a busy day on the mountain. There were a lot of hikers who took us up on a cup of lemonade. They were treated to an afternoon thunderstorm around 1 p.m.. It was a heavy downpour with a pretty big lightening crack. It got my attention. After the sky fell out, the rain stopped and the sun came back out. It ended up being a beautiful afternoon. Remember, if you are taking a hike, start early. We are seeing a large amount of late day hikers. These hikers are arriving at the lodge around 6-7 p.m. We have seen them later than that. It is one thing if you are a prepared hiker who has a flashlight and is used to hiking at night. If you are a novice hiker, it can be tricky. Roots and rocks look a lot different at night. If you are unfamiliar with the trail, please start your hike earlier. Give yourself plenty of time to make it up and down the mountain before night fall. And once again, carry plenty of water and snacks. I guess the folks who are showing up without water don't read this blog.
Fred
7/13/2014 01:10:32 am
That pic is awesome
norman
7/13/2014 01:11:44 pm
I very much agree!
CincyMark
7/13/2014 01:53:10 am
Made the low water mistake once, and you never forget. Hiked Blanket Mountain on a cool spring morning. The day went from cool to very warm, and with no leaves on the trees, there was no escape from the sun. My one water bottle was soon gone. I was miserable.
Elisabeth
7/13/2014 01:54:21 am
YES.....great blog today. We saw many unprepared coming up on thurs. We started late (for us) at 11 AM and got to the top at 2 PM. We didn't finish until nearly 5 because we stayed topside for awhile. We passed people coming to the top as late as 4 PM. By the time they reached you it must have been 6 PM! RT that would be dark! Many had hand held packs or none at all. Some had sandals and several were smoking cigarettes, which I just assumed was illegal on trails. I wish people took it seriously and were better prepared (says the mother in me who has all sorts of supplies on every hike!! smile). Have fun on your last few weeks of summer....cant wait to spend the night this fall!
John
7/13/2014 02:11:33 am
Great advice about getting back before dark. Whether you're a novice or have years of experience, arriving back at your vehicle or campsite before you need a flashlight is usually a prudent choice. Enjoyed the image. Thanks.
Janet
7/13/2014 03:59:57 am
Hiking in those mountains in sandals and flip-flops just amazes me. I have seen that before, on the Rainbow Falls trail! I even saw a woman in HEELS on that trail. I know I stared, and then shook my head. Sometimes I wonder if she got out without a broken bone. On the issue of people starting up so late, do they think that they will be able to stay the night if they get up there late? I can actually see some people trying to pull that off!! They hike up in sandals, no water, so you know they aren't carrying a flashlight... gonna be a dark trip down the mountain!!! One they will never forget.
Joyce
7/13/2014 05:00:49 am
Janet, I, too, have seen someone hiking in heels and I reacted the same way as you--unbelievable!!! Last week I saw a lot of people hiking in flip flops--I felt sorry for the small children. Also, I met many who were going to the top with no food, no water, nothing at all--one couple made the comment to me that "surely they wouldn't turn us away without giving us what we need."
Janet
7/13/2014 01:02:17 pm
They made that comment... wow. There's that "sense of entitlement" coming out. That seems to be the thing these days. The younger ones these days feel that they don't have to do what's needed 'cause we're gonna take care of them anyway. Sad, especially when they are involving their young ones!
Kent
7/13/2014 07:11:30 am
I think we can safely assume that the ill-prepared hikers aren't reading this blog. Or maybe some of them are and think we're all a bunch of over-prepared weenies.
kat
7/13/2014 08:28:14 am
I agree with the heels on trails but I try not to judge on sandals. I personally have a foot problem that I have had since 8th grade. I cannot wear any shoe except a birkinstock for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time, otherwise I have a totally unbearable cramp. Anytime I hike I have a pair of birkinstock hiking sandals in my backpack. When my toes start cramping beyond endurance, I switch to the birks for about an hour then back to my boots. This is the only way I can hike and I am sure people talk when they see me in sandals but I figure I know what works for me and I don't care what people think as long as I can hike and not be in pain.
Elisabeth
7/13/2014 09:54:10 am
trying not to judge! Sorry! Birks are not what I was referring to, as they actually have TRED and are snug around the foot. I have seen, crocs, flip flops, and dress sandals on my passage to the top. During the winter when it was a sheet of ice on the upper part of Alum and I was literally skating across, I saw a few with keds etc ....HOW they made it is beyond me. I have issues wearing BOOTS! (and yes....I am a serious overpacker. water filter, flint, glow sticks, and every ace bandage known to man......never too over prepared!)
paulrom
7/13/2014 12:44:53 pm
Maybe sugar land visitor center could post a sign of give out information on proper footwear when hiking . Then maybe the Rangers won't have to carry someone back down a trail because they twisted or broke an ankle from not wearing proper boots to help prevent this.I have stepped on wet rocks and had it not been for my boots keeping my ankle from going too far I could have been in trouble.
norman
7/13/2014 01:01:01 pm
Thanks Leconte Lodge Crew, the only way I could have had a better day, would have been there in person. Again, thank you. Norman
CincyMark
7/14/2014 04:18:19 am
Two winters ago, our group outstayed the daylight for the return trip down from LeConte by an hour. No biggie, plenty of flashlights. About 20 minutes past Rainbow Falls, ran into a couple, dressed for going to the mall. After answering their "how much farther to the falls question", I asked if the had flashlights. Answer...no. I warned them it will be very dark in about 40 minutes. They guy rudely snapped, "we know what we are doing". A half hour later, it was like I said, pitch dark. I left a spare LED flashlight in the middle of the trail shining up the trail, felt sorry for the girl. We waited about 30 min, and they finally made it...with my light. I asked for it back, he tossed it to me...no thank you.
Rebecca
7/14/2014 12:07:01 pm
You cannot fix stupid!
norman
7/15/2014 02:03:16 am
Boy, you got that right!! Comments are closed.
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