I have a backpacking hammock with netting and rain fly included. It is about 2 pounds total. I have used it many times. If the weather is cool at all, you will need thermal insulation below you, not just a sleeping bag since it will compress under you. I just use a short thermarest under me. To use a hammock, you must be able to sleep on your back or side. Sleeping on your stomach is not possible. I highly recommend it if you are solo and want to practice NO impact camping.

Followed the link to your photos....WOW!

Thanks. They look like they are one of the top names in hammocks.

Hennessy Hammocks:)

I had a great hike yesterday up to the Lodge on the Alum Cave Trail. One of the things I so enjoy about this trail is that it can change dramatically from the lower half to the upper half. Once I got about 30-45 min above the Bluffs, the fog started to roll in and it always beautiful to see that. Then at the last staircase, I put my beloved microspikes on, and boy did I need them! There were several places that were still just sheets of ice that definitely get your attention. As I came up the last mile or so, the wind picked up as it usually does and the temperature dropped and that is when you realize how different and amazingly beautiful that upper section is. Once I got on top, I enjoyed my hot chocolate, sandwich, and no bake cookie(what a treat!), and headed back down. It was so warm on the way down, I took off several layers, and was down to a short sleeve shirt and if I had shorts, I would have put them on. Another spectacular day on the mountain....

*sigh* I miss the old blog...

Missing the prose that used to be in these posts... I can get the same info from weather.com for the most part. We visit this blog to get insight on life on Leconte...and to be able to escape for a few minutes a day to a life most of us wish we could escape to. We aren't visiting just for the weather report and trail conditions.

I check for weather and trails conditions. I hike Leconte every chance I get and it is very good to have that information. You CAN NOT get the weather on Leconte from the weather channel. The Mountain has it's on weather and I appreciate having someone with the correction info. I have been checking this site for several years and hope to many more to come. Hitting the Alum trail this weekend if weather permits.

I will throw in 10 jars of peach salsa made from Georgia peaches!

I miss my happy mountain moments and a chance to step away
Last April I celebrated a 50th birthday gift that was given to me in December prior to (when I actually turned 50). Everyday I have visited the blog. The moments of happy visits have ended. With that being said, this flat footed, southern girl from Southwest Florida is ready to up the ante, a case of Florida oranges. I miss the real J.Pal

I agree with the comments above the reason I go to the winter blog are for JP and the way he puts things into perspective. Nature is a wondrous thing and I love to find out the weather on Mt Leconte since I am in GA, and I love the pictures, but like others have said nothing can match JP's blog that he writes, he is so creative, that is what I check in for. I like the summer ones too, but last summers substitute I hate to say this was so long winded and had nothing on JP. That boy surely knows how to write and he is one with nature, hope he is OK, there is one in GA missing him, and I hate he had to miss his 8 inches of snow, here's hoping he gets some.

I had to look that word up too. Now can we all just get along?

Thanks for the insult.

Hoo-Rah!!!

Yes we can and we are beating a dead horse into the ground. It's apparent that for some reason the tone of the blog has changed and sadly is not reverting back. JP continues to fill his responsibilities by providing weather and trail info. And the pics so we can view the our mountain. The rest was a gift, not required but so appreciated.

I went back through the archives to a post Allyson made on Dec 26, 2010 where she stated that the purpose of the blog was simply "as a way to share the weather conditions and some of the amazing views we experience from the top." So what we're getting now is what it was originally intended for it seems.

It's a shame though because it really had taken on quite a life over the past 3 years. I don't see any problem with us voicing our concern/disappointment though.

I'm not disagreeing with you...but to his benefit (and unfortunately for JP) Alex had one heck of a winter that year! His pictures and blogs were what sparked us to start traveling up during the winter instead of just July and August. Though we haven't had a winter like 2010 these past 2 years... last December it was 74 degrees in downtown Gatlinburg during the latter half of our visit! oy!

If JP has been "tongue" tied, I'm ready for Alex Hughes to return. He had excellent photos, a great storyline & one heck of a winter up there!!
I remember the heart he made in the snow for all us gals on valentines day.
Can we please have our good blog again?

I hope they can get it repaired by then.

JP,

Do you have any way to measure wind speed? Could be interesting information tomorrow at this time. Batten down the hatches!

“Above all shadows rides the sun.”
JRR Tolkien

I think I am too. The IQ level here is getting above my pay grade. See you this spring.

As a guest of this website, I have enjoyed reading JP, Allison, and Nathan's post. I find they all run along the same lines, however, different personalities comes out in the postings. JP's post often crack me up. He has to have the best outlook on life. I have a suggestion for LeConte Lodge, the postings of the caretakers are enjoyed by so many, the rumblings of a few we can do without. As I said we are mear guest, cease the comments postings, and let us enjoy your website. As a message to JP, miss your musings, and in your style here is a quote. "We have no more right to put our discordant states of mind into the lives of those around us and rob them of their sunshine and brightness than we have to enter their houses and steal their silverware." Julia Moss Seton on Complaints and Complaining

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good morning Debi, I have been away for a while. what seems to be going on with all the chatter? What is all the fuss about. Message me on facebook about it if you can.