LeConte Lodge's centennial season has been marked by some monumental hiking accomplishments.
For the first time in 33 years, two men reported more than 100 ascents.
At age 81, Larry Russell logged his 122nd hike on Christmas Eve, surpassing his 2023 total of 115. Lodge manager John Northrup closed his season with 106 trips, including 30 in October and 14 trips in a week.
Bonnie Northrup made 71 climbs, approaching the female record of 78 by Margaret Stevenson.
The last time two hikers reported 100 ascents was in 1991, when Ed Wright made 230 trips at age 66 and Paul Dinwiddie did 102 at 76.
The rookie of the year on Le Conte was Holly Bryant, who climbed the mountain 20 times, including three vertical miles from the riverfront in Gatlinburg.
Comentários