February 18th, 2013

02/18/2013

pow!

Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful day up top. The high yesterday reached the teens, then it got warmer as the night progressed leading to an overnight high of 23 degrees. The low was 0, recorded early yesterday morning. It is currently 23 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow, but our total is at about a foot. Be sure to be prepared for slow going conditions! The powder is super fluffy, but there has been nobody on the Alum Cave trail... so it'll be a long day up.

pow pow.

I spent all day yesterday walking around, taking in the vast blue skyscapes framed over snowy majesty, reveling in the quiet, making tea and cookies with friends, watching a stunning sunset and building a top flight sledding ramp (!!!). It was like seeing your old tomboy friend dress up in an evening gown, there's quite simply nothing like the way snow changes the entire character of this place. Magical is not a big enough word. The awe just flows on days like this. Hopefully this is the start of a trend... that will stop right before airlift (:

pow POW pow!!!!!

Comments

Debi

02/18/2013 8:40am

Love the photos today JP. I get a work out around here just shoveling.

Tony Ga

02/18/2013 8:44am

PrayerWalker's first post from the trail.

http://www.prayerwalkerat.blogspot.com/

Becky Moore

02/18/2013 9:10am

Awesome pictures today! Our special mountain looks great in every season. Glad you are getting your snow this winter JP. Enjoy!

Paula B.

02/18/2013 9:52am

So glad you finally got snow. The pictures are awesome! Please post more, more, more pictures!!

Galen

02/18/2013 9:59am

Hey JP, Glad you're getting the elusive snow you have been wanting. Haven't seen anything about your plans for next year. Are you planning on returning again or will you be off to other adventures? Whatever you deceide best wishes to you. It's been a pleasure reading your commentary these past two years. I guess there's only about a month left before the new season opens. Enjoy!!!

Kaye

02/18/2013 10:12am

JP, love, love, love these pictures. What a beautiful place in any season. Glad you have gotten your long awaited snow!! Sure wish I was on top of that beloved mountain with my camera and a cup of good old LeConte hot cocoa.

Ronette Jones

02/18/2013 11:13am

Wow, simply wow!!

Ken

02/18/2013 11:15am

Started up Alum Cave last night (Sunday 8:30pm) and got to within 2 miles of you but turned around at about 11. Had to work today. The trail was great (though icy, crampons needed). Enjoy reading your post and hope to come up to see you the next good snow. I will start a little earlier:(

Devin R

02/18/2013 11:20am

Ronette took the works out of my mouth!

Wow!!!

I hope we get to experience a snowfall like that in the Smokies one day! I'm overwhelmed with jealously and joy for you JP! Enjoy that snow!

Leigh Miller

02/18/2013 11:32am

It has been a long time since I have been up there in snow. You are in Heaven on Earth! Enjoy!

doug y

02/18/2013 1:29pm

I liked "pow POW pow !!!!!" the best ! Glad to see that others like to hike at night in the cold as I do; it's a demanding endeavor, but the rewards and satisfaction gained are immense ! Next time I come down from Kentucky I think I'll bring my bigger binoculars as I'd love to spot the lodge from "down below", too. I sometimes carry a small pair if my hiking plans take me to a lofty peak or observation point. The ones I'll use to spot the lodge have to be tripod mounted. There's been two or three that have mentioned that they'd like to meet and hike with some of the other readers here and I suppose that all one would have to do is pick a date and hope for the best; of course, there's no realistic expectation of how many could logistically make any date chosen; it's a nice possibility even if it never takes place. I cannot remember when this year's opening date is scheduled so I'll have to call the office; I want to assist with the airlift is possible and volunteers are welcome, etc. G'day.

Glenn OH

02/18/2013 3:08pm

Hi, Doug from London Ky(I think) sounds like it would be fun, my wife and I would go,if it was a weekend we were free. we could eat lunch up top with Leconte crew. Shoot for a Saturday?

Kimmstree link

02/18/2013 2:58pm

I liked pow the best! What stunning pictures. I'm sure it is like walking through pillows of quiet. Keep the photos coming :)) So glad you got your big snow!

doug y

02/18/2013 3:25pm

Yes, Glenn OH, London, KY; originally from Harlan County about 75 mi east s.e. of here; You're suggestion of a Saturday, or a Sunday, appears to be perhaps the best day to get as many participants as possible to hike with. June, July, or August would provide the longer daylight hours which could come in handy. Start the hike early to get to the lodge for lunch by noon, too. I really like the idea, so we'll see what develops over the next two or three months. I know the lodge needs a few days notice for lunch unless it's packed in. Hmmmmm. Plenty of possibilities. At my age I might need plenty of time to get there by noon ! I never was one, however, to set any speed records. But when I'm excited I can do wonders !!

Tony Ga

02/18/2013 3:31pm

doug y, what a small small world. My father was originally from Harlan County before his family migrated to Ohio. Visited there years ago.

Glenn Oh

02/18/2013 3:59pm

I think most people from Ohio has folks from Ky that's why they call Hamilton Hamiltucky. I'm hoping to stay in the shelter march 9th, lodge May 31th. We'll see how group hike goes forward. Somebody said they wanted the record for hiking the AT the slowest, that's ME.

Glenn OH

02/18/2013 4:48pm

I mean may 31st , are you suppose to read before you submit?

Nicole

02/18/2013 4:43pm

So glad to see there is an ongoing blog. We've not been up to LeConte Lodge since 2004. We're planning to hike up towards the middle of March. I cannot wait. I am jealous you are getting to see the beauty it beholds. Thanks for keeping up informed.

papawlg

02/18/2013 5:05pm

pow,wow.Wow,WOW.beautiful !!!

hrtn

02/18/2013 5:22pm

You amaze me more everyday b, I fall deeper in. So beautiful!

tbns

02/18/2013 7:22pm

Wont be long and maybe we will be up on top!!!

Leigh

02/18/2013 8:52pm

JP, I think about you whenever I see snow forecasted for the mtns. I'm so glad you got lots of it this year. Keep up the good work. Oh, and are you on twitter?

warren Morrison

02/18/2013 9:07pm

It's been grand seeing your pictures this winter and enjoying your photography. I'm excited about trying water colors with many of them. Thanks

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