LyttleBryan August 9th, 2010
This weekend I was originally supposed to lead a hike up Snake Den Ridge, but decided to cancel it because of the heat at the last minute. As luck would have it though, Dale was hosting a hike at elevation to Charlie’s Bunion and The Jumpoff. This was a good opportunity to hit the last 3 miles of the Eastern Smokies AT segment between Newfound Gap and Icewater Springs Shelter. It wasn’t much, but hey, 3 miles at a time it would only take 300 hikes to cover the entire park!
There wasn’t too much to say about this hike, the pictures do all the talking for me. Let’s just say the weather was perfect (a cool 80 degrees), and the terrain comfortable. It was great!
I will take a moment to jump on my soapbox though. While on the trail I came across a couple that had stopped for a rest. I offhandedly mentioned that we were a hiking group, and there was a string of us coming up the trail. The woman got a little upset and she and her friend made a snide remark and then stormed up the trail. I can understand and respect the desire for some peace and quiet in the Smokies. What I can’t understand is going on one of the most popular trails in the park, and expecting to be alone. Seriously? Are people that naive to think they will be the only ones at one of the most well known places in the park? Sad. There are hundreds of miles of trail that can easily be day hiked in which you will never see another human being! Use them.
Okay, soapbox off.
This weekend I’m going to Kure Beach in North Carolina with that wonderful woman who puts up with me. Looking forward to it and hopefully going to get some good beach sunrise photos.
Peace,
LB
Charlies Bunion 8-8-2010
Viewing images
1-84
of
84
Viewing images
1-84
of
84
LyttleBryan July 16th, 2010
I noticed that my last two posts are law related. I apologize and promise to post some kind of hiking related post eventually. I’ve just been lazy. Okay I’ve not been lazy, I’ve been hiking. I’ll post info about it eventually!
I just got word from the Friends of the Great Smokies Mountain that a North Carolina man was sentenced for his 2009 poaching of a bull elk inside park grounds. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, fined almost $9,000, and a slew of other things. You can find more info on the WYFF website.
I’m all for shooting for the pot, but I’m more for preserving our parks and wild life.
LyttleBryan June 24th, 2010
In a previous post I mentioned an incident in the Smokies about a photographer being bitten by a bear that led to the bear being put down. This morning I was made aware that charges have been filed against Sean Konover, the person ultimately responsible for Laurel’s the Bear’s death.
Well Sean, here’s to hoping you get what you deserve! Unfortunately you probably won’t.
More info can be found at the KnoxNews article.
LyttleBryan June 3rd, 2010
Close to 2 years ago I was introduced to a man by the name of Chuck Schoenberg. He was a friendly guy that enjoyed good beer and a warm campfire. The first weekend I met him was at Panther Creek State Park in TN. We sat around the camp fire and talked, and watched as the sun turned from rain, to sleet, back to rain, and then to sun. Over the coming year we got to know each other a little better, and eventually became friends. Over time disagreements were had, and space grew between Chuck and I. Despite everything that happened, I was still deeply saddened and shocked when word got back to me that Chuck had finally succumbed to his depression, and he had ended his life.
Those in the hiking group that had known Chuck gathered this last Memorial Day weekend to spend time at a place Chuck was happy, and a place I’ve talked about more than a few times on my blog, Virgin Falls. We retraced our hike and talked about all the fun times that were had, and generally spent the day remembering the good about him.
Rest in peace, Chuck…
LyttleBryan May 24th, 2010
Over the last couple of weeks a storm has been brewing between NPS, tourists, and (for lack of better term) environmentalists. A few weeks ago a tourist was in the Smokies at the ever-popular Laurel Falls. While traveling off trail, he came in contact with a young 60lb female black bear. While taking pictures of the bear, it began to approach him. He let it come so close to him that it bit his foot. Eventually word spread to the rangers and NPS until the man finally contacted them. Since the bite was so minor it didn’t require medical attention, it took a few days before the man decided to report it.
Since the bear attacked a tourist, it was hunted down, captured, and eventually euthanized. The bear, named Laurel by supporters, stirred quite a response from myself, and others. A group was formed on facebook in hopes of stopping the NPS from euthanizing the bear. Unfortunatley the group was not able to sway park services, who claimed their hands were tied.
It’s a sad story of what ignorant people do to our wild life, and natural resources. I’ll admit it takes great restraint from losing my temper while typing this. I want to scream and shout and hunt down the idiot that caused all of this. Instead I’ll just challenge anyone that reads this. Stand up for the animals in the park. When you see someone doing something that harms our park, do something about it. If the animals stand up for themselves they get euthanized.
LyttleBryan May 9th, 2010
sad news from this weekend…
via…
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/may/09/michigan-man-dies-backpacking-trip-smokies/
NEWFOUND GAP — A Michigan man has died after being found unresponsive during a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, authorities said.
According to park spokeswoman Nancy Gray, Ross Sabin Enderle, 26, of Pontiac, Mich., and his three hiking companions had stayed Friday night at Icewater Spring shelter along the Appalachian Trail.
When members of the group awoke on Saturday morning and tried to arouse Enderle, he was unresponsive. One of the hikers contacted E-911 by a cell phone and park rangers were notified around 7:45 a.m.
When rangers arrived at the shelter at 9:14 a.m., Enderle showed now signs of life, according to a press release.
The man was transported 3 miles to Newfound Gap, where he was then taken to Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, N.C.
Authorities are awaiting results from an autopsy and a toxicology report. Rangers are continuing an investigation to determine the cause of death but preliminary findings indicate there was no foul play.
More details as they develop online and in Monday’s News Sentinel.
LyttleBryan May 6th, 2010
A little lesson for the would-be idiots of the world. Rangers aren’t just figure pieces, they aren’t just security guards, they do have arresting authority, and they will arrest you. Then we’ll laugh at you when news briefs like the following are released…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that 21 year old Nathan O’Quinn of Clintwood, Virginia pled guilty to reckless driving and has been sentenced to 6 months in jail after he accelerated at high speeds away from Rangers, eluding arrest. The incident occurred on September 19, 2009 at 12:30 AM, when Park Rangers attempted to stop O’Quinn on the Foothills Parkway – Spur (U.S. 441) for excessive speed. O’Quinn, who accelerated away at speeds up to 114 mph with a female passenger on the back of his Suzuki 600 motorcycle, crossed double-yellow lines, passed on curves and nearly struck another vehicle head-on.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Chief Ranger Bill Wright said, “We have been seeing an increase in the number of individuals who are fleeing to elude arrest over the last few years. This type of behavior presents enormous risks, especially in the Park with its narrow, curving roads and heavy traffic. “
“There seems to be a growing perception that fleeing into or through the National Park will allow the offender to escape.” Wright continued, “However, due to the limited number of exits from the Park, those individuals are nearly always caught. Their actions prior to being stopped seriously jeopardize the safety and well-being of unsuspecting visitors and fellow motorists they encounter, and place the eluder in great risk of injury or death.”
Park managers stress that each instance is different, and in some cases, the subject may not be pursued at high speed by Rangers for reasons of safety. However, due to good communications with Rangers throughout the Park, and continued excellent cooperation with law enforcement agencies surrounding the Park, those individuals fleeing apprehension will still be caught and will face penalties that are often far stiffer than what they would receive for their original offense.
-NPS
LyttleBryan May 2nd, 2010
This weekend I had a chance to do a nice relaxing hike. It didn’t start that way though. The original plan was to hit Charlie’s Bunion and the Jumpoff. Unfortunately impending bad weather and some late April snow canceled our plans. Our backup for the weekend was nice and relaxing though. We hiked up Sugarland Mountain Trail to Huskey Gap and then back down Little River to Elkmont.
I have to say, after doing Noland Divide a couple of weeks ago, even the incline over the first three miles of Sugarland Mountain seemed enjoyable, almost easy. It may have helped that I was only carrying about 8lbs of gear max. There’s nothing overly spectacular about Sugarland Mountain or Huskey Gap. They don’t have any of the usual “attention grabbers”; there’s no beautiful waterfalls, lookouts, or large fields of flowers. They’re just nice, well groomed trails that make for an enjoyable stroll across varying terrain.
Pictures are below.
Sugarland Mtn - Huskey Gap Loop 5-2-2010
Viewing images
1-15
of
15
Viewing images
1-15
of
15
LyttleBryan April 11th, 2010
A guest story I wrote for the Alton Telegraph about my trip up Mt. Kilimanjaro was just published today. Go check it out on their website The Sons of Kilimanjaro (titled by my father)
I have to say, it’s some of my better writing!
LyttleBryan April 10th, 2010
I’ll post more pictures and the story of the hike later (hopefully), but I just wanted to share this real fast. The hiking group climbed Mt. LeConte today. It was easily the most beautiful day the park has seen all year. While on the cliff tops at the peak of LeConte we were enjoying the view when someone mentioned a glowing orb. Turns out it was so clear you could see the Sunsphere from the top of LeConte. That’s about 35 miles easily. You couldn’t make it out, but the panels were reflecting the light which let us know what we were looking at. Check out the image below!
