Life On LeConte
 
    I hope you are all staying warm.  It's another sunny and cold day here.  The low reached -5  last night.  The 24 hour high was 4 and it's currently 0.  There was no new snow.  We still have 13 inches of snow on the ground.  The roads are open and the sun is out so I'll probably see some day hikers today!  I hope they all have crampons and warm clothes!
    One of the questions I get asked a lot is, "How do you stay warm up there?"  We have propane heat here on LeConte.  It keeps me very cozy.  When we do the airlift in the spring our propane tanks are flown off the mountain by helicopter and filled.  All the cabins are heated by propane and we cook with propane.
Picture
The Propane Tanks On LeConte, 1-3-10
    This is the heater in my cabin.  During the rest of the year it's just my heater.  In the winter it's my friend!
Picture
My Friend The Heater
    The weather forcast calls for more snow Thursday into Friday!  So get some milk and bread and stay warm!
 


Comments

Freedom

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:30:25 am

Morning Doug...Enjoying the pics of Leconte. Truly beautiful! Keep warm and have a great day up there...from sown the mountain...Freedom

 

Kris

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:02:32 am


Loving the pictures of Leconte in the winter time. I definately need to take a long weekend and head south for a hike to the summit. I'll be in Kentucky for my Krystal HOF ceremony this weekend, but do not have the time to drive another 2 1.2 hours to G'burg. One day though..one day!

 

David

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 2:36:43 pm

Great post! Could you elaborate on some future post on what kind of gear you would advise folks to bring for a winter hike in the Smokies? You mention crampons, are you talking about the little in-step kind or 'Stabilicers' or full on mountaineering crampons? Could you show pictures of what you advise?

Enjoying keeping up with your blog! Thanks for the posts!

 

Beverly

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 2:48:11 pm

I just recently found your site, and I love it! Question: How is the propane brought up there? Keep up the good work.

 

Beverly

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 2:50:11 pm

Okay, so I should have read a bit further, but when I saw the picture of all the tanks, that question immediately popped into my head. Thanks.

 

James workman

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 4:55:17 pm

Dough enjoying the pics Im addicted, hope all is well, wish i was there to tear up that kitchen with some southern cooking, hope to visit soon!!!!!

 

Vicki andrews

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 5:30:37 pm

Hi Doug,
Great pictures, I am enjoying this site, great pictures, and informational!! I am such a fair weather hiker, maybe by the end of this season I will try a winter hike up.

 

Renee Bodden

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 6:30:50 pm

what do you have for dinner? Do you have the beef and potatoes that is served during the year?

 

Renate Schuman

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 6:34:04 pm

Hi Doug,
Thank you for the daily updates.
Love the pictures, Mt. Leconte is beautiful, found your blog on the cub report and I love it.
Stay safe and keep warm!!!
God bless you!

 

Norm

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 7:06:24 pm

Thanks Doug for the "cool" updates and pics. Stay warm!

 

Kelly Roney

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 9:05:49 pm

Doug, love the site, and someday I'll be back on top of LeConte.

One suggestion: Move your fire extinguisher away from the fire risk of the heater. It's not much use if you can't get to it.

 

Dwayne

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 9:20:31 am

Glad the propane stays reliable in those temps. Got some wood for back up heat?

 

Teresa May

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:02:33 am

Hey Doug, we love Mt Leconte. Hope to be there again this May.

 

Jeanie

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:48:17 pm

Hey, Doug! thanks for sharing your experience with us! I'd love to be there playing in the snow some. I've seen LeConte in the snow one time and LOVED it! Take care and hope to see you in April!

 

Charlotte

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 7:46:31 pm

Hello fron the Foothills..it will be 12 degrees here this eve, I know it is a heat wave compared to LeConte. The Alum Bluff trail is our favorite way up to Mtn. Look forward to hiking back up in the Spring.

 



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