Pat’s journey hike to Mt LeConte for a two night stay. September 28, 29 and back down on the 30th .

Our plans were made a year ago for a party of 5 for a two night stay, to hike Mt LeConte. Sister in law, Mary B, Sister Mary Anne and her husband Ken, along with myself (Pat) and husband Lee.

This was going to be a special hike. I am a survivor of breast cancer of 11 years and after back surgery 2 years ago and still have a sciatic leg problem was so looking forward to getting to the top of LeConte with special thanks to Ed Wright for the inspiration.

Plans were falling into place when on August 14th I lost my husband of 38 years, in surgery after a fall at a construction site. Time was getting close to cancel or to go. On the advice from my sons to do it, we all decided this would be our journey hike.

On the morning of September 28th we awaited pick up at our hotel with Walk in the Woods shuttle service. Vesna arrived and we headed to the Alum Cave trail head. By the time we arrived we were getting the tail end of Hurricane Jeanne and at 9:45, in our rain gear, Vesna took our group picture. It rained and blew but didn’t damper our spirits. This is what it looked like as we approached Arch Rock. My leg started hurting about 500 yards into the trail but I would start and stop, pretending to take pictures, drink water and then go on. We finally made it to the bluff and the rain didn’t stop other hikers, there were several there. We took a break and ate power bars and off again. I lost all track of time and how long it was taking us to reach each point that I knew and read about. Ken on the other hand was watching the time and I wasn’t making any good time at all. Mary B was out ahead of us, and with sis in front and Ken in back we kept going. 

After leaving the bluffs there is hardly any one on the trail. By this time all that had stayed at the lodge had already passed us on their way down and those going up had passed us. Out of the blue a fellow came down and passed us with friendly hello’s. I told Ken that was the guy from the lodge as I had seen his picture on one of the write ups on Ed’s website. Wasn’t but a minute or two and here he came back. Ken said “Wow that was fast”, the fellow said, “Oh I do 3 mile a day” I ask how far to the lodge and he said a mile and a quarter. I could have rolled right off the cliff. But we went on. Finally Ken said I am going ahead and drop my pack and come back for yours, I didn’t object. Sis and I kept going one step at a time. Those trekking poles were a godsend when I planted them they didn’t move. Oh the rain gear was another good investment. Finally Ken returned and took my pack and he said I won’t tell you what is ahead only that we are almost there. He finally said we are almost there. We came upon the smooth level trail with moss covered trees on both sides. This is what we saw at the end of that trail. 

It took me 8 hours to hike it. At 10 minutes till six we entered the dinning hall. The mountain was socked in, I was exhausted and was getting cold. I snuggled up to the stove as they were getting ready to set us down to dinner. I learned later that the staff had packs and volunteers ready to come get us, rather me! Food and fellowship was wonderful. After dinner lots of the crowd went to the lodge to chat and our group was wanting to use cell phones and call home that we had made it. Not me, by this time I was shivering and needed to climb under the three wool blankets. Was up several times in the night to the bathroom and finding the way and back wasn’t easy. Flashlight was another great item in the pack. By six the next morning sis and I stepped out to a crisp 30ish clear skies, a full moon and we could have touched the stars. Wow and we heard a coyote in the distance. What a site. Should have went to see the sunrise but we all were tired and sore. A great breakfast and picture off the dinning room deck of the clear morning. Took another picture in front of the dinning room for proof I did it and was there. 

We hiked up to high point to place our rocks and another group picture. Went up to the shelter and looked it over and hustled back down to see the arrival of the llamas delivering fresh linens and supplies. It wasn’t long after that the clouds started to move in again and again we were socked in. We entertained ourselves by purchasing our t-shirts, and cap and snapped pictures. A man and his wife introduced themselves, as they were sharing our cabin, and a small world they were from a town about 15 mile from us and the wife had actually went to the same school that we did. Lots of folks from Ohio. A couple from Florida, Denise and Rich our dinner table friends also stayed two nights. We missed a beautiful sunset that night but did see it peaking over lots of clouds. By this time we were rested, well fed and so we had a hootin good time at the lodge that night. I think that we or I guess I was anticipating the hike down and seems we didn’t sleep much but laughed hysterically several times in the night. Our cabin friends wanted us to stay another night for the entertainment. Okay morning came and packs ready and heading for the great breakfast before we start down. 

It looked to be a good day with sun starting to shine. I snapped a picture of the clear day at the first break of a view. A good picture of the water fall by one of the foot bridges and a couple pictures of the trail. It was so much easier going down as I didn’t use the hip/leg action but used only the knees. I enjoyed the hike down and views. I recognized lots of things that have been mentioned in the stories here. A couple had just taken down their tripod and scope at the eye of the needle and they worked with the falcons and said it was in the nest. The showed us where to look. I could see the white head of the bird. Oh and they also were from Ohio and stayed the first night we were at the lodge and they had taken a chance of seeing the bird the next day and hiked back up and they did. We were actually down a half hour before our pick up time. Vesna chatted all the way back to Gatlinburg, she is so knowledgeable. Well that is our story. Now home and after the soreness is gone, I would love to do it again with out the leg pain. I will work on that. There is nothing like the mountains, plain and simple. Although Lee was with me all the way, what I was looking for I have right here at home and that is loving family and friends, but the memories of the mountains I will always cherish. And thanks Ed for your inspiration for wanting to do this and encouragement that I could……

Patty Stevens