January 30th, 2013

01/30/2013

Morning,

The high yesterday reached 48 degrees. The low was 39 degrees. It was 47 degrees and raining at 7am observation. The mountain received .77" of new precipitation yesterday, mainly in the evening. The patchy snow has melted off. It's quite windy up top. Be sure to pack extra layers if you plan on summiting.

Comments

Dd//Michigan

01/30/2013 9:01am

Spooky~eerie photo today !
The cabin must be haunted ?! :-0

Lee

01/30/2013 10:50am

Thanks to ALL of you for your informative reports. I am a senior citizen + a few years and still working full time. I don't get to the mountain as much as I would like to so I would like to say thanks for bringing the mountain to those of us that are limited in our visits to the mountain..

Jessica

01/30/2013 10:45am

JP, Thanks for all your photos and words of the past two seasons. Best wishes!

jay

01/30/2013 11:11am

Dear Members of LeConte Lodge LP,.......Day 3.....The Free JP reward is now 2 dozen Krispy Kreme hot ones and 1 dozen assorted, a bag of Green Mountain coffee, a quart of Cocke County's finest shine and a bag of Jack Link's Beef Jerky delivered to your office......No questions asked.

Devin R

01/30/2013 11:46am

I'll throw in a dinner at J. Arthur's in Maggie as well.

Fisharch

01/30/2013 10:24pm

Add to that a family size bag of twizzlers.........and peppermint schnapps for your hot chocolate!

Theresa / TN

01/30/2013 11:19am

JP - thought about you and said a little prayer this morning as the wind was trying to blow us away here on the Cumberland Plateau/Crossville. I'm sure the wind is rough up there, or will be so praying for your safety and the safety of others in this storms path.

Darwin

01/30/2013 11:45am

HOLD ON UP TOP ! ! ! ! ! BE AWARE OF THE APPROCHING WEATHER.

batten down the hatches and be safe my friends and keep an ear on the weather for the next 3 hours or so, it looks like it could get hairy up top, some very strong cells are headed your way.

not to scare you but just to inform.

JeanNC

01/30/2013 1:36pm

I've been following the blog for the past few weeks and have hesitated to make a comment since I was not privy to the comments that had caused such a disturbance. I am happy to see a site to get current weather/trail conditions on the mountain and so wish the technology had been available on October 31, 1990 when my husband and I hiked up on the Boulevard Trail and spent the night at the lodge. The trail was so iced over and dangerous, particularly at the top, that we were afraid we wouldn't make it in one piece. When I happened upon the blog and the lovely photo's, quotes, and beautifully written observations, I was touched and felt they were a reflection of everything one goes to such a magical place to find. I would love to see the tone of the blog come back to what it was a few weeks ago. Don't we have enough mindless sound bytes, reality tv shows and the like.....I for one could use more beautifully written thoughts of the Solitary Mt. Leconte caretaker.

grammie

01/30/2013 2:05pm

Beautifully stated, Jean. I'm hoping that this weather front is kind to our park. We're experiencing heavy rains and winds here at 4200 feet. Stay safe, JP.

Guy

01/30/2013 6:02pm

Dana P

01/30/2013 6:05pm

AMEN Jean in NC!!
I missed what all the "people with their panties in a wad" was all about, but they are NOT forced to come to this site!! Some people just have to be bitchers NO MATTER WHAT! MUST SUCK TO BE THEM!!!!
WE WANT JP back, screw the haters!!!!

m ha

02/02/2013 1:19am

iiiii??? (They are NOT forced)

m ha

02/02/2013 1:39am

In the here 4 season are one time in this area only with a distance 20 kilometer 55 degree c became to under 0 c dry desert became to snow and mountain I think It is number one in the world.

m ha

02/02/2013 2:44am

I am like a student at school you are my mom or teacher pleas teach me.

m ha

02/02/2013 2:55am

I love TN.

m ha

02/02/2013 3:28am

Thank you my teacher.

m ha

02/04/2013 2:34am

I have all that beautiful Klouts and sand hills in the dry desert to enjoy.

m ha

02/04/2013 4:29am

Klout= sand and clay formation by wind

Brian

01/30/2013 2:31pm

Hi JP. Or at least I hope it is still you up there. I have been reading the postings and admiring the website for several years and I hope to some day make it up there. My family and I visit the mountains quite often and have family in G'burg so i can almost feel what you are describing sometimes as if I am there with you. We love it there so much and can tell that you really enjoy being up top, or at least you did. So for the fear of using any big words or using incorrect grammar I will just say I really miss your usual quotes and writings and hope that you will return to the style that so many of us look forward to reading, regardless of what some people think. If someone doesn't like the postings, stay of the site, because many of us enjoy it Thanks for what you do.

P.B

01/30/2013 2:38pm

Amen Jean, I have always enjoyed reading this site, we are blessed to get this information. From what I gathered J.P may be out for a very good reason, so say a prayer for him, I'm sure he miss's it just as much, if not more.
I pray for a complete healing and a safe return,.
I want to thank the person who is taking the time to keep us informed.

Sharon AL

01/30/2013 3:21pm

May I ask, what happened to JP? I guess I'm in the dark.

TammyFL

01/30/2013 6:16pm

JeanNC and grammie....I agree with your recent and past posts. TonyGA..love all your comments and great information and your love for the mountains and this blog... I too love to visit the mountains and am lucky that I get to often. I always looked forward to reading the blog each morning, because JP's writing allowed me to visualize the beauty the mountains have to offer as if he was painting a picture.These writings seemed as if I I had just taken a mini vacation to the mountains, allowing me to begin my work day in Florida. Not everyone has the gift to write those type of feelings. JP you are a very genuine person who has a passion for what you do. In your writings I know you want us to live and breath what you are experiencing. You help to transcend us to the mountain and for this I want to thank you! I too, hope those wonderful writings will appear again.

Glenn OH

01/30/2013 6:37pm

TammyFL wondering if you and your husband were at Leconte April 23 with all the hoar frost beautiful I think we spoke in the dinning hall going back may 31 can't wait also June 1 and 2 elkmont for lightning bugs

Tammy

01/30/2013 9:08pm

Hey Glen - this is the Tammy that you met during the super snow/freeze last April. 18 degrees yikes.
The other Tammy from Florida put out emotions that I share spot on. So much my husband asked if I was on the blog today. I actually have put out an ante of a case oranges to bring our good friend JP's daily musings back

Danny

01/30/2013 6:36pm

I have loved and hiked this mountain many times over the last 30+ years. I check the site every day. Love the pictures and weather observations. Paul Adams moved to Crossville when I was a child, and I had many great conversations with him. (Built the first cabin in 1925.) I miss JP's comments and views.

TammyFL

01/30/2013 6:45pm

Glenn OH, that was not me. I wasn't there at that time.

Glenn oh

01/30/2013 7:03pm

TammyFL. SORRY,WRONG Lady I think the lady I spoke to was celebrating 50 birthday beautiful day with the hoar frost

Debi

01/30/2013 8:10pm

Real windy here in Michigan too and the snow and cold is back. Good day!

Barbara

01/30/2013 9:05pm

Debi - I always enjoy your posts, very genuine and down to earth. A breath of fresh air!

Tammy

01/30/2013 9:21pm

Hey Glen- This is the real Tammy that you met celebrating her 50th last April in the blizzard of 2012 haha. I responded under Tammy from FL. Thanks Tammy from FL --- She sounded just like me! We are returning September 13. Hopefully blizzard free! Hope all is well with you!

Cindy in GA

01/31/2013 6:54am

Has anyone been up top in the last 2 weeks? If so, any JP sightings?

doug y

01/31/2013 8:50am

It's taken me a while to catch up on all the daily posts for the previous six or seven days. I've actually been in the Smokies most of that time, tent camping at Cades Cove and getting in several day hikes of modest distances that I hadn't been on in a while. Reading the posts for the last week was interesting to say the least, with all the different comments and opinions. Personally, I believe that the blog will survive everything, at least I hope so. Yes, the mood here has changed, but the underlying spirit seems to me to prevail. I enjoyed a wonderful night up on the mountain where I watched the full moon set in the west from the vantage point at Cliff Tops. It was definitely invigorating and I composed a poem about it, mainly my observation of the Orion constellation, but it's a longish poem and I hesitate to post it here. I claim no ability as a poet either ! I hope the severe weather front that passed through the region yesterday didn't do any harm up at the lodge. I miss coming here when I'm away from home, usually camping and hiking, but those are the things I'd rather be doing. I'll leave with these brief thoughts:

Mountains

Mountains are a true treasure for him who seeks refuge
from men and the evil of men;

In them is contentment, in them is peace, solitude, sanctuary.
therapy, isolation, and wonder;

In them is both life and death, and all that you seek.

Susan B

01/31/2013 9:35am

Ok Doug - I can't believe you tent camped! It's too cold here in Missouri to even think about it. Jenna (younger daughter) wanted us to pitch the tent in the backyard and in case we get cold, go inside the house.
Ok I am tired of being cooped up and can not wait for the warmth to come back. Loved your thoughts and absolutely - hiding in the mountains is what we say. It is a place of solitude and peace,a chance to refresh and come back to Him.
Blessings to all!

Deedee//MI

01/31/2013 8:55am

Beautiful thoughts, Doug Y~ Thank you! I'd love to read your Orion poem...

Allyson Virden

Welcome to the LeConte Lodge blog. I hope you enjoy the information we provide to make your trip to the lodge the best it can be.

Check out LeConte's Online Store

Check out the LeConte online store for items only available through our website. https://www.lecontelodge.com/store/ or click on the above picture and it will take you directly to our online store.

2013 T-shirt design