A helicopter had to be used to bring supplies to LeConte Lodge guests after the early snowfall in The Great Smoky Mountains. (The Herald/ Submitted Photo)

Winter came early for Mt. LeConte this year dropping more than three feet of snow on staff and visitors of LeConte Lodge located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The massive snowfall made it impossible for the llama train that transports supplies to the Lodge to make their normal trek up the mountain prompting the need for a helicopter to bring in needed supplies.

LeConte Lodge General Manager Tim Line secured special permission from the park service to enlist the services of Great Smoky Mountain Helicopters to airlift items that were running low. Eleven guests plus staff remained on the mountain for two days awaiting weather conditions to clear before being able to attempting the hike down.

“Everyone made the best of the situation,” Line said.”Resident Managers Chris and Allyson Virden and all the staff did a great job of taking care of our guests and making sure everyone was happy. The conditions did not seem to have a negative impact on anyon”

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