Alum Cave Trail Repeats

The idea was that I would go until I was finished. No time or distance in mind, just a decision based on the how things were going and where they might go if I decided to repeat my ascent once more. This year's birthday sufferfest was strange, even stranger than they usually are. Instead of a point to point or some massive loop, the setting was alum cave trail, to be repeated until satisfied. I had no idea what the number might be, 2 laps...  100 laps? Didn't know and didn't really care either, but the answer turned out to be 5.

Start time was set at 4am. At the trailhead I was to meet two others who were willing to do a lap or two in the middle of the night for no reason. A long commute and blueberry muffins set my running partners back a little so I made the first ascent myself with not near enough moon to forego the headlamp.

 I met Brian and Will on my way down and was glad to have their company for the second lap of the mountain. Having two guys along to run 20 or so miles of a 50 mile day can be dangerous though, especially when they are training for the Leadville 100. Lap number 3 began with slight cramping of the quads and the realization I may have outpaced myself for laps 1 and 2. 

On my way down the mountain for the third time of the day, I briefly ran into my father-in-law and then met my Dad who had come out to make a trip up with me. My feet at this point were a wrinkled pruny mess due to previous nights showers which turned the upper mile of the trail into a creek bed. For lap four I attempted to put on fresh shoes and socks. I couldn't find a body position that allowed for the change of footwear without severe leg cramping but finally managed to make the swap anyhow. I caught up to Dad near the bluff and we hiked the remainder of ascent. Surprisingly my legs started to feel better on this trip, giving me some hope that I might have a few trips left in me still.

I made ascent five alone and with remaining hope that I may be able to do it once more. The trip down changed my mind, degenerating from a weak jog to hike to slow walk. I met Caitlin about a quarter mile from the trailhead. She was packed and ready to go for a trip up the mountain, but I told her I would only go up again if someone paid me a thousand dollars. She said she wasn't going to, and there was no one else around to ask so we slowly made our way back to the trailhead. Darkening skies and increasingly frequent thunder convincing me I made the right decision. I had a great time up until the last hour or so on the trail, then it just wasn't fun anymore. I had already spent an entire day hiking and running my favorite trail with some of my favorite people, there was no motivation to go back. After a few minutes of putting on dry clothes and re-hydrating, we packed it up and called it a day. After 50+ miles and over 15,000 feet of elevation gain the decision to head home was an easy one, I was just happy we didn't have to walk back.

...and 30

Regardless of icy trail and cold weather I had it in my mind that I was going to make my last trip of the year up Alum Cave a quick one. Within 50yds from the trailhead though I ran into a string of about 30 hikers making their way up the trail. Early on a December Monday morning you don't expect to see a group this size, so I asked the folks pulling up the rear if someone messed up and left the gate open. After chatting a minute I realized I'd met most of them before on past trips up and down LeConte. My initial disappointment at not being able to run the "easy" section of the trail was more than made up for with getting to cross paths with a bunch of local folks out enjoying the park.

View of Cliff Top from The Pulpit

The rest of the ascent was near perfect, with enough ice to make the upper sections extra challenging and some of the best visibility I've seen up top in quite some time.  I had arrived at the trailhead with thoughts about how fast I could hit the Lodge, but by the time I got there I didn't even bother to check my watch. There were numerous windless, sunny spots that I had to linger in first.

This run made thirty trips up the mountain in 2011. A few folks have asked me why 30. No, its not a record for ascents in a year, not even close. 30 trips up the mountain isn't even a big hiking month for someone like Ed Wright. And yeah, there are hundreds of other miles of trails and peaks. Many of which I've yet to do. 

When I decided to hit the summit of LeConte thirty times this year the number seemed to be the right balance between over-saturation and under-appreciation of the mountain. Making 30 my goal number has certainly caused me to see more of my favorite place in the Smokies, but it's never felt like a burden. Throughout the course of the year I've had ample time to explore other sections of the park, various races, and other locales. The trips have varied from hikes with first-timers, friends and family, park visitors from across the country, and solo runs just to see how fast I could go. The trails leading up the mountain have been a source of both pride and humility, always managing to leave me closer to the center than when I began a particular day on the trail. My true goal for chasing 30 summits of LeConte this year was not to thump my chest and prove how many times I could run or hike the mountain, but to provide a focal point for my experiences in the park. 

For the Win!

If you are a follower you perhaps have read that I have long been attempting to ascend Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Trail in under 2 hours (As previously mentioned in Snails and Fails). This goal of mine started as a way to make my trip quick and fun while hiking up to stay with Dave after working all day at the visitor center.

I learned quickly that people are concerned for your well being when they see some chick huffing and puffing slowly up the side of a mountain as the sun is going down. It became my goal to not only get into better hiking shape, but also make myself look more competent while hiking into the evening alone.

This is the point in every journey up LeConte that I decide whether I will try to make my record attempt or not.



I have gone up Alum Cave Trail during all times of day, and even though early morning is nice, there is something really special about hiking into the twilight on the other end of the day. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the troubles from a busy week dissolve while climbing up that mountain alone.

Many of you likely know that Dave has moved to Franklin, NC to begin his training to become a law enforcement ranger. This means more time apart than usual, which is...admittedly...hard on us. He misses home all the time, and I miss having him around. I also have found myself really missing our little home on the mountain where Dave has spent so much time the past few years as LeConte Ranger.

One good thing about him being in school is that we finally have a day off together, so last week we took one of our first treks up LeConte together in a really long time. When we crossed the first foot bridge Dave said, "Well ... are you gonna go for it or what?". Although I was hesitant to commit to a speed attempt, it seemed like there was no time like the present so I replyed with something like, "I guess".

Made it! Mighty pleased with the effort apparently.

1 hour 52 minutes and 28 seconds  later I was standing atop the stairs to camp, goal achieved, and as you can see from the photo above...quite pleased with myself about it. This was the speediest trip I had ever made up Alum Cave Trail by at least 10 minutes. And actually the fastest round-trip I have ever done on the mountain, even including a stop to have lunch with the Crew. We made it up and back to the parking lot in about 5 hours with at least an hour spent on top hanging out with our LeConte Lodge Family.

Showing off my time...like a boss!

Grass of Paranasus near the top of Alum Cave Trail.

On the way down the mountain we took it easy. It is not that often that we get to hike together in the park. It seems like we often have to take a vacation to get a chance to go hiking together (pretty strange considering we both hike as a regular part of our jobs). Descending we took plenty of stops to enjoy the mountain and all of the things it has to offer. An amazing day!

~~ Caitlin~~

Panorama-rama: A quick trip report from Mt. LeConte

Well, there are two reasons for the post title. One reason is the outrageous amount of views we received on today's hike, the other reason is that I just recently discovered the panoramic function on my camera. I apologize in advance for the gratuitous use of this feature.

                               Myrtle Point

                              Just Past the Trail Shelter

Trail Conditions for Alum Cave Trail:

This morning you could have ice skated to somewhere near Arch Rock. From there, the trail was relatively passable until The Pulpit (approximately half-way to the summit). If you were selective with your foot placement, crampons or micro-spikes were not necessary, but you would probably rather have them than not. Especially on the descent. 

As for blowdowns there were several before Arch Rock, but nothing of consequence after that.

I didn't use the panoramic function EVERY time.

                                         Cliff Tops

                                      Grassy Patch

Today's Hike By the Numbers:

Trailhead- 9:15 AM

Alum Cave Bluff -10:23 AM

The Lodge- High Noon (2:45 total climb time)

Lunch and milling around until about 1:30 PM

From the Lodge back to Trailhead 3:45PM (2hr 15min descent)

Net time- Approximately six and a half hours

Total number of falls-countless

Both the parking lot and trail were relatively vacant today. Other than my Dad, I saw only two other folks on the trail. Hard to believe on such a banner hiking day.

OK, one more panoramic photo... vertical panorama. Flippin' Sweet.