This September I was lucky enough to hike in the Tennessee Smokey Mountain National Park to support the Red Sweater Project, an organization that supports education in rural Tanzania. I love adventures and helping others so this was an easy “YES”!
This was my first mountain hike and I was told it would be a non-technical hike, which pretty much means you don’t need any special equipment, so packing was pretty easy. Here is my packing list:
- Day Pack
- Water (32oz x 2)
- PBJ Sandwich, Apple and 2 protein bars
- Hat
- Synthetic long sleeve shirt https://www.icebreaker.com/en-us/womens-baselayers/merino-175-everyday-long-sleeve-crewe-thermal-top/104471.html
- Tee shirt
- Packable down jacket
- Hiking pants https://www.backcountry.com/backcountry-trail-legging-womens
- Hiking Boots and socks
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Zip lock bags and tissue
- Gum
- Trekking Poles (not necessary on this trail but I like having them)
Our goal was to hike to the top of Mount Le Conte beginning at Alum Cave Trail. Mount Le Conte is 6,593 ft and is the third highest peak in the national park. To summit Mount Le Conte from the Alum Cave Trailhead we would climb 2,763 feet and hike 5.5 miles.
Our group of 11 started at the trailhead at 7:00AM and were lucky to have beautiful weather. The climb was peaceful with a mostly moderate incline. I was in awe of the mixture of geographic sights along the way. It was a journey with streams, woods, rocks and forests. There is even a lodge near the top that you can hike up to and stay the night before hiking down. They also have picnic tables and we stopped for lunch before continuing to the summit. We made it! I felt elated when I got to the peak. The beauty and energy was like nothing I have ever experienced and it truly felt good to be on top of that mountain.
It took concentration to keep our footing and I was thankful for my poles on the way down. The descent felt shorter than I thought it would and we completed the 11 mile hike, at a modest pace, in under seven hours. I was grateful for the opportunity to give to a meaningful cause and immerse myself in natures beauty, I loved it!
