The miles once came easily for Howard Yates, who section-hiked the Appalachian Trail, has completed all the Smoky Mountain trails multiple times, and was a distance runner on the track team at Middle Tennessee State University. In recent years, he’s hiked more than 500 miles on the trails of Mount Le Conte. Despite being afflicted by a degenerative condition, he was determined to reach a goal of 50 lifetime climbs. On Tuesday, May 17, he made his final trip up the Alum Cave Trail, accompanied by his wife, Tina, and a group of friends. Fifty is the threshold to be listed on the LeContest.com honor roll. Howard is among 197 hikers we have documented with at least 50 ascents. The honor roll includes 95 who have surpassed 100 and seven over 1,000. Howard, 76, is originally from Chattanooga and is a retired All-State insurance agent in Sevierville. Blessings, Howard!
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