Annual pilgramage

I grew up hiking Mt. LeConte. Being lucky enough to have parents that are A. awesomesauce and B. coordinators of an annual hike which includes a Saturday night stay over at one of the most exclusive lodges at the end of June, I am always a bit puzzled when people eagerly tell how many times they've been up LeConte because - I have no idea how many times I've gone. But I do know this:

I've NEVER ONE TIME SLEPT IN A LOWER BUNK. One of these days I'm going to break a leg in the middle of the night because I needed to pee.

I've hiked each trail at least once (Alum Cave is best, Rainbow Falls second). I once got to see the llamas and even fed one a banana peel. Once I hiked it so icy I crawled on the trail in some spots. Once I hiked up a writing project I was working on and barely socialized at all, and once I had one of the worst bouts of depression I have ever experienced on top of LeConte. So, not all good memories, but lots and lots of them. I missed out on last year's hike due to a pulled hamstring, but hiked it last two years ago with friends. Friend Sharon accompanied me on this year's trip too, and this year we were fortunate to have the company of another friend, Lola!

let the adventures begin!

The hike up was rainy, but I wasn't too worried. I packed all my clothes in a garbage bag inside my daypack so I was sure I'd have warm, dry clothes up at the top. Rain away, you! The rain kept away some of the nicer views, but since the forecast for the hike down was for sunny skies, I wasn't concerned about the current rain situation.

oh - but like a fool, i didn't have time to break in my new hiking boots and broke them in on the trail. fortunately they were a good fit.

ready to hike in spite of foolish shoe behavior

on the trail

inspiration point is somewhat uninspiring.

view from the trail up to the alum cave bluffs 

alum cave selfie!

There's a spot on the trail that is extra especially beautiful - it's a mossy waterfall that depending on the rainfall at the time can be barely damp or gushing water down. This year, thanks to the rain, the waterfall was churning along at a good pace, but we had the added surprise:

alistair the waterfall gnome! lola taking his photo on the hike up.

We told Alistair we'd see him tomorrow on the way down and continued on our way.

The hike is five miles, but at the last half a mile, the trail takes one quick last oomph up and turns right onto the most deliciously flat stroll through the woods. The Venable Clan has a tradition for this last half mile - you freeze a beer the night before and by the time you reach this spot, your beer will be thawed but still icy cold. You get a reward beer as you stroll the last half mile to the cabins.

That's in theory. Sharon and Lola and I all shared the beer, but it was distinctly warm. We finished it anyway. Can't waste beer.

enthusiastically opening my beer

sharing is caring

We made it to the top, cleaned up and visited with other hikers throughout the afternoon. After supper, Sharon and Lola and I did not heed anyone's advice and made our way up to Cliff Tops to see if there was a sunset. There was, but we didn't see it. We just saw the mist turn darker and darker.

worth trying anyway

The next day however - completely different story.

exact same location the next morning. THAT's what was behind those clouds!

One last photo before hiking down:

ready to get back on the trail to civilization!

On the way back down, we started talking about Alistair and were deciding if he'd invite us to tea or not when we approached the waterfall, and ALISTAIR WAS MISSING. I declared an Amber Alert and we were discussing who would have taken our little troll when Lola pointed out that maybe Alistair was washed away down the waterfall instead. Most everyone looked off the cliff to see if he'd not fallen far, but I looked down into one of the puddles below and:

amber alert lifted

By the way the look on my face is one of terror because I assumed I'd be grabbing a ceramic troll and was horrified to discover:

alistair had a tail. a tail as big as him again. and made out of something scary. with a big fuzz ball on the end. 

Begs a photo update:

pretty much

One of the ladies hiking behind us, also concerned for Alistair's well-being, tucked him back in the moss more snuggly this time. I also, before handing him to her, warned her about the freaky tail. She was very grateful. Also? Was wearing this super-fly shirt. 

benny smith, there's your christmas.

No worse for the wear, we said goodbye again to Alistair and continued on our journey.

it was seriously a beautiful day. inspiration point was once again inspiring.

last turn through arch rock

And back to civilization!

One note that I have no photos of: at Arch Rock, I noted that there were four rangers present. Wearing hard hats. And I was the only one who approached them and asked if I needed to be concerned that there were four rangers in helmets at Arch Rock. Turns out, the night before, a young woman hiked off trail to the top of Arch Rock and was currently stuck. They were waiting for a helicopter to come and pluck her off of the bluff. 

(here's your sign)

(don't hike off-trail)

(or alone)

And one of these days, I'm going to sleep in a bottom bunk. 

All I got for the day! Over and OUT!