Katy Palombi, Outdoor Recreation Specialist with Asheville Parks and Recreation and veteran of four or five trips to the top of Mt LeConte herself, says, by camping or backpacking standards, the accommodations at Mt. LeConte Lodge are "luxurious," complete with flushing toilets in the bathrooms, beds and bedding supplied by the seasonal employees at the lodge, propane heat and kerosene lamps. Of course, those among us who consider going without cable TV as "roughing it" might beg to differ, but it's an opportunity to try something unique and exciting, and the sense of accomplishment is as satisfying as the view from the top.

Transporting supplies to the isolated Mt. LeConte Lodge is difficult; they are either dropped in by air, or brought up the mountain on llamas. But that isolation pays off in many ways to the lucky and well-exercised visitors to the top. There are some particularly beautiful spots to watch the sunset soon after your arrival at the top, and an early morning wake up call is well worth it if you make your way outside in time to turn to the east for one of the prettiest and undisturbed sunrises around.

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