#lomain

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - May 3, 2015

This weekend we did not hike a section of the AT, but instead, we hiked Alum Cave trail up to the Mt. LeConte Lodge, where we stayed the night at the highest lodge in the Smoky Mountains. Five miles up. Five miles down. 6594 foot elevation.

It was my third time hiking up to LeConte and staying in the lodge, but this particular trek was my younger cousin's first time. We were rather lucky that the weather cooperated, yet again. The hike wasn't particularly long, so we headed to the mountains at 1:00 in the afternoon, which set a relaxed tone for the trip. The Alumn Cave trail is a relatively popular trial in the mountains, and consequently, we passed numerous other hikers.

As I hiked the familiar trail, I thought back to hiking it as a child. Certain views became grander and particular corners in the pathway recalled memories. This time, however, the view from the trail was unimpeded, and I was able to see for miles. Whereas the last time I hiked Alum Cave, it was rainy and foggy. What is great about Alum Cave trail is that you can see the top of Mt. LeConte at various points along the trail, which is helpful in gauging how far there is left to climb.

At the very top of the climb, there is a turn in the trail, and the scenery shifts from rocky mountainside and panoramic views to a contained mountain top forest with trees lining the pathway. From the turn in the trail, it is only ten more minutes to the lodge. We made it to the dining hall just in time for dinner.

Staying at the lodge allows the hiker the advantage of being able to watch the sunset from the top of the mountain, instead of having to hike back down the trail before night fall. We watched a glorious sunset before heading off to bed in our cabin. Our group did not have the best night’s sleep because of cool temperatures and creaky beds, but we awoke the next morning ready to hike back down the mountain.

After a breakfast of pancakes and eggs, we packed up our belongings and started our descent. It was another beautiful day and we ran into a couple of familiar faces as we carefully made our way down the mountain.

As we drove home my cousins and I all passed out in the car and took a well deserved nap.

Until the next trail,

Lo Main

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - April 18, 2015

I am absolutely, positively, exhausted.

We awoke at 6:30AM this morning and got ready as quick as we could to leave the house. I snagged a quick bowl of oatmeal before putting on my jacket and loading up the car with my mom, dad, and brother. We picked up two of my cousins by 7:30AM and were on our way to Clingmans Dome (yes, the place where we started our last hike). This time we hiked eight miles from Clingmans Dome down to Newfound Gap. Piece by piece my parents and I are hiking the Appalachian Trail that runs through the Great Smoky Mountains – and we take along who ever is brave enough to come with us.

The day began dreary and clouds hung in the sky, threatening rain. Yet, by the time we reached the top of the mountain, the weather had cleared up. Again, we were on top of the world and could see for miles. There was still some cloud coverage at lower elevations, so we were looking out onto the tops of clouds. It was quite the motivation that launched us up the first, rather steep, half mile to the lookout tower that is Clingmans Dome. The panorama was stunning.

After we gazed over mountaintops and clouds, we got on the Appalachian Trail and began the more intense part of our journey. Although our trek was mostly downhill, we definitely endured some significant uphill stretches of trail. The trail itself was muddy most of the way. Thus we had to navigate creatively around the puddles.

I often caught myself in a trance of staring at rocks and calculating my next move. When I caught myself, I would immediately look up and take in the scenery. The forest was enclosed around us, and every now and then, we would come upon a break in the trees where we could see the mountains sprawling out into the distance.

The trail conversation was light and humorous. We were all pitching in, trying to help come up with trail names for my cousins.

Toward the end of the trip, the last two miles, our legs began to drag a bit as the hike was beginning to take its toll. Nevertheless, we emerged from the trail at Newfound Gap and  enjoyed a feast of snacks in the parking lot.

The trip was definitely a different excursion because we were with a larger group, yet still enjoyable. Plus, we were rather fortunate to have great weather again – partly cloudy, clear skies, no rain, and springtime temperatures.

Here’s to another section of the GSM-AT done!

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - August 1, 2015

Today is the day. We are hiking the last 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains. But to do so, we have to hike a total of 21 miles. There is not an easy entry point to the piece of the AT we have left to hike. So, the last day of our GSM-AT journey is going to be a long one. My brother is in town, which means the four of us will be hiking together. And a friend of my mom's is joining us.

5:30 AM - Catch our ride to Clingman's Dome, the top of the mountain.

7:00 AM - We are met at the top of the mountain by a gorgeous sunrise and clear skies.

Clingman's Dome is all too familiar at this point. We have started multiple hikes from this point, but today's hike will be the last for a while. The weather is great, and we're feeling good.

The day passes by quicker than most of the other hikes. Maybe it is because of the continuous conversation, or the panorama views that pop up around every turn. But before I know it, we are at Derrick Knob.

From here we are starting the 5 miles of the AT we have yet to hike - Derrick Knob to Thunderhead. The downhill descent from Clingman's Dome has ceased, and we work our way up multiple climbs. Some of the uphill stretches seem never ending.

The last uphill stretch to Thunderhead was definitely a long one (30-45 mins), but once we reached the top the moment set in. The finish line view made us feel on top of the world. We had completed the whole AT through the Smoky Mountains. From here the rest should be a familiar down hill that we did earlier in the year.

We made our way from Thunderhead to Rocky Top. After Rocky Top, we ran into a group of Buddhists having a spiritual moment on the trail. It was an interesting situation because they were blocking the trail and asked us if we wanted to join their group. However, we politely declined and made our way around them. Finishing today's hike was all that was on our minds.

The stretch from Bote Mountain Trail down to Cades Cove was seemingly never ending, almost more so than the uphill trek to Thunderhead. But as we picnic at the car at the end of the trail, the pain in our feet is taking a back seat to the idea that we are done with the AT.

The experience of hiking with my parents is not a new one, but at this point in my life, it is more appreciated. What we have accomplished together is a moment in our lives that we will always look back on and talk fondly of. Until the next hike...

Over and out,

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - June 21, 2015

Easy hike today, AND I have done it before. Today my mom and I are taking one of my friends on a quick 3 mile trails to a waterfall, starting at Tremont. Since it is such a quick hike, there is little need for extensive prep - just a few waters should do the trick.

We are starting our hike from the parking lot at Tremont and luckily the weather is not too hot.

Our pace is relaxed and the bugs are annoying. In fact, two have already flown into my eyes...I had to have my mom help me get them out.

We have arrived at the waterfalls, and we have it all to ourselves. Usually, this trail is packed with families, but we lucked out again and get to enjoy the uninterrupted peace of the forest and the waterfall.

Nothing crazy to report about our walk back...no bugs in my eyes and the up and down hill grades were moderate. All in all, a great quick hike at Tremont.

Until the next hike,

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - April 26, 2015

Today we hiked the last ten miles of the AT in the Great Smoky Mountains, heading North. The day trip was 12 miles total because we started from Cosby Campground on the Low Gap trail and had to hike two miles to get to the AT. The weather was not exactly on our side today. It was rainy, and at the higher elevations, the clouds were socked in around us.

The trip was not filled with panoramic views but was, however, full of wild flowers. Alongside the trail, we encountered at least ten different types of flowers - all subtle, yet beautiful. There were also some noteworthy waterfalls and stream crossings.

The adventure in today's trip spurred from our efforts to stay dry from the rain and avoid mud puddles. Hiking with my parents is always easy going, the conversation is lively, and the snacks keep on coming. Today's trail mix was my recipe, more salty than sweet, and it was delicious.

All in all, even though it rained, another great day in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Until next time,

Lo Main

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - March 21, 2015

The grandeur of the mountains never ceases to amaze me. Although the morning started out dreary and I thought I was embarking on yet another long hiking trip, by mid day, I was standing above the clouds on top of a mountain enjoying the clear skies at 5527 feet.

My parents and I woke up early to pack our gear and eat breakfast before driving to the mountains. Luckily, we only live 45 minutes out from the Great Smoky Mountains. We started our trek at 9am, hiking from Cades Cove to the Spence Field Shelter. The trail was, of course, uphill the whole way. Although uphill used to be the most dreaded part of the journey for me, I have actually grown to prefer the uphill climb over the downhill descent. We reached Spence Field by noon and stopped to eat a lite lunch before we continued on to Thunderhead.

As we began our climb to Rocky Top, the mountain peak before Thunderhead, we were quickly engulfed in scenic views that stretched for miles across the Tennessee Valley and into North Carolina and South Carolina. By the time we reached Rocky Top, we had a line of sight over the tree tops, and the panorama was breathtaking. The views were so spectacular and vivid that the walk from Rocky Top to Thunderhead whizzed by as we looked around in awe.

We made it to Thunderhead, and my parents were able to cross the goal off of their bucket list. There are few days in the year, according to my dad, when you can see as far as we could from the mountain top (so I hope you enjoy the pictures). We shared the views with through hikers and day hikers, and we actually ran into my old swim coach and an Appalachian Trail hiker from Germany. My parents, being the talkative people that they are, stopped and engaged in conversation. As we caught up with an old friend and made a new one, I couldn't help but think the cliche, "what a small world."

Here I was on a mountain top talking to a swim coach I hadn't seen in three or more years. Then I exercised my German skills with an AT hiker who actually lived in a German town near my relatives in Bielefeld. As big as the Smoky Mountains are, what are the chances we would run into those two people?

I recalled my childhood endeavors as a competitive swimmer and my familial heritage in Germany, two things that mean a great deal to me. My mindset was returning to its roots and values. Added with the stunning beauty of the landscape around me, I began to feel grounded and strong, standing on top of the mountain. My uncle describes hiking in the mountains as a spiritual journey, and I have to agree. Each time I climb to a new height, I discover something new about myself and about life.

Our dissent began at 3:30pm, and we were able to make it back to our car by 6:30pm, just before the sun set. The timing worked out perfectly. One thing that did not work out for the three of us, however, was that the downhill dissent killed our feet. I guess that is the price of being ambitious when one is out of shape.

After our 16 mile excursion and a nice warm shower, I am in my bed ready to sleep.

Over and out,

Lo Main

Hiking the Appalachian Trail - January 1, 2015

Oh how I have missed the mountains. After spending two and a half years studying in Washington, DC, I have gotten used to the city life, the hustle and bustle, and the never-ending buzz. Now as I ride in the car down familiar roads to the Great Smoky Mountains, I am reminded of all the fond memories from my childhood - hiking, camping, swimming, and biking. The peaceful lands are in sight now, and I can already feel an inner calm emerge. As my family talks around me, I look toward the barren trees standing tall in the crisp winter air. The mountains guard a mindset of peace and an incomparable view of the stars that I have not found in any city.

On that note, I am reminded of how we as humans often get caught up in the stress and worries of the day and forget to appreciate all of the natural beauty around us. Whether it be found in nature or in the people we interact with, beauty is all around us.

My friend Nicole once told me that if you think about it, the world is truly amazing and beautiful. Just think about all the wonder and awe, the intricacies that merge into a globe of harmonious chaos. Yet, humans are always unsatisfied and want something more - it's quite the paradox.

I do not believe that discouraging aspiration and desire is the answer, for innovation and adaptation is part of our DNA. I do, however, think that a greater mindfulness and sense of appreciation is needed.

Being back in the mountains was a spiritual experience for me. Hiking though the worn trails, looking up to take in the distant mountains, and finding the rushing waterfalls all connected me with something bigger than myself. Refreshed and renewed my family drove back home before going our separate ways and starting 2015. Happy New Year! Much love.