Counting on the Lodge crew

Dana Shroeder: The crew and the llamas are the backbone of the lodge

The tradition of counting Mount Le Conte hikes began with the founders of LeConte Lodge: Paul Adams counted 523 ascents, and Jack Huff had 1,043 before he lost count.

The LeContest honor roll includes 117 hikers with at least 100 ascents, including 28 by lodge crew members past and present. Dana Schroeder, a third-year crew member from Nashville, joined the "centennial club" with his 100th trip on Thursday, July 23.

Our honor roll includes estimated totals for Huff (2,500), Tim Line (1,500), and llama wranglers Allen Householder (1,250), Steve Cogdill (300), and Chrissy Householder (250). Others served on the lodge crew and then continued to log hikes for years, including David Dinwiddie (800), Henry Neel (550), and Dick Ketelle (500).

The active leader is Lodge manager John Northrup, who has 690 ascents after 10 climbs in a recent 12-day span. His wife Bonnie has 449.

If you or someone you know should be added to our honor roll or record book, please email LeConteLog@gmail.com.