Mt. LeConte, Great Smoky Mountains
11 miles, 6,593 ft., Alum Cave Trail
February 15, 2015
Wes Chapman
A bit of ice on the trail
Mt. LeConte in Mid-February
I’ve decided to climb LeConte at least once every month this year – a good way to get to know the place in all of the seasons. This trip I did with a couple of new friends – William and Brad – that I met through duck hunting. These guys were getting ready for a Mexican volcano trip – climbing an 18,000 foot mountain over a weekend. Such are the options of the young. This was a cold day (8° at the start) –but beautiful, fast climbing. Enjoy the photos.
Afternoon at Alum Cave
A beautiful, clear day in the Smokey Mountains
A little fresh snow on the climb
William hustles to the top wearing 1 microspike
Mt. LeConte Summit Lodge
Ice hanging above Alum Cave
View from the Cliffs
William and Brad ready for Mexico
Fresh snow & ice at the Lodge
February summit – 10 months to go
Alum Cave Creek
Brad using the other microspike
Adios, from Mt. LeConte
Wes, it was a pleasure hiking with you. Thank you for allowing us to join. Hope we didn’t slow you down too much. Let me know when you want to head to Gatlinburg for an afternoon.
Alum cave looks like a gaping maw! Great photos once again.