A vertical mile, and other milestones

Bonnie Northrup at High Top, the actual 6,593-foot mark. Hikers who stop at the 6,593 sign at the lodge fall short of the vertical mile.

Bonnie Northrup of the LeConte Lodge crew completed the vertical mile on Sept. 6.

Starting from the riverside at the Gatlinburg Aquarium, she walked a 22.4-mile loop that ascended Bullhead Trail and descended Rainbow. Her time was 8:40:21, with a total ascent of 5,668 feet.

More recent milestones on Mount Le Conte:

Vance Johnson was added to our honor roll after he made his 170th climb on July 8 at age 81. The trip coincided with the 34th anniversary of his 1990 wedding at Myrtle Point and marked the 51st season hiking Le Conte.

Marcy Conway signed in Sept. 6 with her 100th climb to celebrate the 100th season of LeConte Lodge.

Jim Rugh of Sevierville celebrated his 83rd birthday on Aug. 20 with his 43rd hike to the lodge--and his first overnight stay.

Kaitlinn Chandler of Pikeville, Ky., climbed the Alum Cave Bluff Trail at age 4. That's been accomplished twice by 3-year-olds.

Amy Slifko climbed the Alum Cave trail Aug. 16, marking the 30th consecutive year she has reached the lodge.