Vertical Milestones

Holly Bryant at High Top: A climb of 5,390 feet from Gatlinburg

A year ago, Holly Bryant did not consider herself a hiker. Now, she has 28 ascents of Mount Le Conte, including four vertical miles. On March 30, she hiked 20.2 miles in 7:20:42 (an average of 21:51 per mile), climbing 5,390 feet from the Gatlinburg Aquarium.

That's the sixth vertical mile reported since Christmas.

Louisiana resident Nathaniel Klumb has hiked the Tour de Le Conte three times, in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Married in 2022, he brought his bride to the Smokies, and invited Rachel to join him in hiking the Vertical Mile, climbing over 5,280 feet from their hotel in Gatlinburg to the summit of Mount Le Conte.

Hiking on March 5, while the Smokies were wracked by strong winds, the couple climbed 11.4 miles via the Rainbow Falls Trail, reaching High Top (6,593 feet) in 6:45. Returning via BUllhead, they finished 23.1 miles in 12:24.Two days later, they summitted again, via Alum Cave Bluff Trail.

Christopher Schneider and Elizabeth Hancy also logged a vertical mile on Dec. 28, climbing Rainbow Falls from Gatlinburg in 7::26 and descending Bullhead in 5:10.

Bart Northrup, brother of LeConte Lodge manager John Northrup, did a vertical mile for his 47th lifetime ascent.

Here is a list of individuals who have completed the Vertical Mile since 1922. Holly is the leader with four, surpassing Larry Russell with three.