Good morning folks,

Its a fine morning on the mountain. No winds, no rain. It’s a very quiet start to the day
​compared to yesterday’s storms. The high yesterday reached 43 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 31 degrees. It’s currently 32 degrees with partly cloudy skies. The trails have trace amounts of ice so, traction will not be needed today. A “Winter Weather Warning” goes in effect at 6pm until 12pm on Thursday. Heavy snowfall is forecasted and we could receive 5-10” of fresh snow. All roads are open at this time. With the treat of snow US Hwy. 441 (Newfound Gap Road) will likely close so, plan accordingly. Another warmer day ahead with falling temperatures later today. High winds will be paired with this system so, the exposed areas of trails will likely slammed with snow pack. Stay tuned for pictures. Have a good day.

With the warm temps I took advantage of the day and took off for a run down Alum. Trails were extremely wet with every water source flowing strong out of the mountain. Making my way down I warmed up quickly.not far down the mountain I had to shed a layer and pressed on towards Inspiration Point. Taking some breaths and a drink of water I turned and headed back to camp. Lots of hikers out on the trail yesterday. The warm rocks felt great with the spring like weather. Moving up the mountain I forgot what the trail was like with no snow/ice. I moved much faster! The sun set fast and I drifted off earlier than normal. Today, I prepare for the snow apocalypse. Fill water, fill oil lamps, drink coffee, make bread, and drink more coffee. See you at the top!

​PNUT

MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE DAY! OIL LAMP.

Good morning folks,

Rain has moved out and heavy fog has set in below. Colors are beginning to form to the East as the early morning burns off the moisture. The high yesterday reached a very warm 47 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 37 degrees. Its currently 42 degrees with calm winds. We received 2.13” of precipitation which melted all the snow on the mountain. So our snow depth is 0”. Sad face! The Wind Advisory has ended for the mountains. Winds pushed through camp last night with heavy downpours at times. Clearing clouds today with spring like temperatures below with abundant sunshine. Trails are sure to be very wet from recent snow melt and rain. Prepare for wet feet if you venture up the mountain. Colder temperatures return Wednesday with snow chances into Thursday. Looks to be a great day to be outside. Have a great day folks!

It’s a River running through camp from snow melt and heavy rains overnight. Very wet conditions up top. Opening my cabin door I hear Roaring Fork doing what is does best “Roar”. Water is escaping the higher elevations and swelling the tributaries down below. Be cautious when crossing any creeks today. Winds slammed from the south and hammered right into camp all night. I slept like a baby! It is now calm and clouds are breaking up and revealing a new day to enjoy on the mountain. I love every moment! Blessed! See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Rain, Rain, Rain. Its a dreary, windy morning on the mountain. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to a warm 30 degrees. It’s currently 38 and warming as I type. We received 0.46” of precipitation dropping our snow depth down the 3”. Today will be a wet day on trail and traction will still be needed to reach the summit. Rain is forecasted for the majority of the area today. Pack your rain gear it’s going to be a soggy day out there! A “Wind Advisory” goes in effect at 1pm today until 7am Tuesday. Have a great day!

Pitter patter against the roof of my cabin as I awake. Heavy rains take over the mountain this morning. Fog sets and and the fir trees have disappeared. Snow still lays but is melting quickly. Coffee necessary, I admire the change of landscape. Today I’m going to bake some zucchini bread as well as some whole wheat bread. Stay tuned! See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Winds are pushing through camp this morning. The high yesterday reached 36 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to 16 degrees. It’s currently 30 with clear skies. Our snow depth stands at 6”. Traction is needed as well as headlamps. Today looks to be warmer with increasing clouds with rain moving in late tonight. Chances of snow are likely Wednesday night into Thursday. All roads are open! Have a great day.

The morning light begins. I stand on the back steps and take in all the beauty of the morning. Colors are starting to form over High Top. My morning was set! I sip more coffee. See you at the top!

​PNUT
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Bacon wrapped tenderloin

Good morning folks,

Its a crystal clear morning up top. Light winds are pushing through camp as the pre dawn show begins on LeConte. The high yesterday was 33 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 16 degrees. It’s currently 16 degrees. Our snow depth stands at 6” with solid ice pack around camp. Today is going to be a fantastic day to get out and enjoy the high elevations of LeConte. US Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) opened yesterday so Alum is now accessible. Should be warmer than yesterday so sitting in the sun will feel magnificent at Myrtle Point or Cliff Tops. Traction will be needed being it’s super icy on the trails leading to the summit. Rain chances return Sunday night into Monday morning with heavy showers forecasted. Get out and enjoy the warmer temps and sunshine today. Have a great day!

Hot coffee in hand I enjoy the sunrise from the back of the kitchen. Sipping very carefully the scalding hot beverage steams from the mug. Low level blue with soft pink and orange skies rise to the East. Light winds dance through the tops of the firs. Valley lights disappeared with the morning sunrise. The morning birds are out chirping as they fly through camp. They welcome the new day. See you at the top!

Good morning folks,

Its a fine morning on the mountain. No winds, nor rain. The high yesterday reached a warm 33 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 18 degrees. It’s currently 23 degrees. We received 0.31” of precipitation which dropped our snow depth down to around 6”. Traction will most definitely be needed to reach the summit. Today looks to be a great start to the upcoming weekend with much needed sunshine and warmer temps.

What a day it was yesterday. Hard winds pressed against LeConte with misty rain making it a very wet run down Rainbow Falls. Only following one other set of tracks, I knew I wasn’t alone. The trail conditions going down were terrible. Sinking deep with each step into cold, wet mush, my shoes were instantly soaked. Heavy fog coated the burned section of Rainbow. Charcoaled tree trunks tell a story of past time. Moving down the mashed potato covered trail I reached Rainbow Falls. With no one else around, I sat and enjoyed the water crashing onto the ice floor below. Presently, I enjoy kneading dough into biscuits while observing the pink mixture of colors in the sky outside the kitchen window.

See you at the top!

PNUT

Good morning folks,

Winds and Rains. Heavy fog coats the mountain air. The high yesterday only reached 33 degrees. Our overnight low dropped to 12 degrees. It’s currently 30 degrees with strong winds cruising through camp. We received 0.37” of precipitation bringing our snow depth to around 7”. Trails are sure to be a mess with the mornings rain. Traction is needed to safely reach the summit. Today looks to be a drizzly, cloudy day on the mountain with winds gusting upwards of 30-40 mph. Clouds should clear out later tonight just in time for a beautiful, warmer weekend. Winds are pushing through camp with much force. No snow has fallen, just rain. The windows inside the kitchen creek from the surges. The screen door slams. I sip more coffee and relax looking at my foggy, snowy mountain. Have a good day folks.

Blue bird skies as I moved swiftly down Alum Cave trail. Rounding the bend, the upper cable section had some knee deep drifts. Watch you footing through this section folks. Also, watch hiking through Alum Cave Bluffs for falling ice. Crashing below these large shards echo inside the sand bluffs. Back up top a flock of crows have been hanging out in the dead trees below camp making a ton of racket. Winds raced and slammed into my cabin most of the night. Great sleeping weather I tell ya! Should be a relaxing day at 6593’. I’m needing to catch up on some camp chores. Fill water jugs from the spring. Remember treat all water in the backcountry! Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are high on the list today. Stay tuned. See you at the top!

Good morning folks,

It’s a fine morning on LeConte. Heavy fog lifted just before sunrise with crystal clear skies above. The high yesterday reached 28 degrees. Our overnight low came in at 15 degrees. It’s currently 14 degrees with light winds and the sun is throwing magnificent colors over High Top. The current snow depth is around 8” with deeper pockets around the mountain. Today is calling for much needed sunshine and warmer temps. Snow is forecasted for Thursday morning with amounts around 1” are possible. US Hwy. 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is open to all vehicles watch for snow/ice. Traction will be needed to safely reach the summit. Be safe and have a great day folks!

Frozen air coats the early morning hours at 6593’. The morning ravens croak through the arctic air as they catch thermals over camp and dive down into the valley floor. Frost white coats the fir trees with much weight. Bitter cold winds from Cliff tops would numb your fingers instantly with each snap of the camera. Clouds danced through the tangerine skies with sweeping views into North Carolina the morning. The early morning hours here hold great memories high above the city life below. The silence of the snow is so rewarding to sit and sip coffee and listen. The morning was set. See you at the top.

​PNUT

Cliff Tops for sunrise

Good morning folks,

Its a fine morning on LeConte. Cloudy skies with valley lights below. A bit warmer than it has been with our high temperature reaching 20 degrees and a low of 13 degrees. It’s currently 19 degrees with light winds stirring around in camp. Our snow depth stands at 10” with deeper pockets around the mountain and camp. Sunshine and warmer temps return for some much needed charge on the solar panels. Rain chances increase later this week with the chances of light snowfall on Wednesday into Thursday. US Hwy. 441 is closed for snow/ice. Cherokee Orchard still remains open. Pack your traction devices. Have a great day folks.



​

Hovering clouds with light winds sway the weighted firs. With the morning light finally showing it’s face I set off for Apollo Overlook. The golden light upon arrival made me stop and admire my morning. I snapped a few shots, moved on. The clearing opened with calming skies. Deep blue with orange starburst welcoming the new day. High level clouds pushed over as the sun rose all before it was hidden behind the clouds. A very calm morning with the greatest show in the Smokies! Moving back to camp I sparked a match and warmed the kettle for coffee. I settled in to finish some reading and listen to the wind push the windows within the kitchen. My morning was set on Leconte. Enjoy the pictures. See you at the top!

PNUT

Apollo Overlook

Good morning folks,

Its a brisk morning on the mountain. The high yesterday only reached 18 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to a bone chilling 12 degrees. It’s currently 13 degrees with light snow paired with surges of arctic winds blowing through camp. We received 0.21” of precipitation. Our snow depth stands at 10” with more amounts in the exposed areas. Trails are in good shape with recent snows so traction may not be needed but should be in your pack. Clouds should break today with some much needed sunshine on the mountain with temps in the 20’s. US Hwy. 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is closed due to snow/ice. Cherokee Orchard remains open at this time. Have a good day folks!

Its time to rise and shine!
The morning rush hour as I make my way to the kitchen to warm the kettle for some coffee. The cold air rushes through my face instantly making my eyes water. I smile. Light snow is falling with a wind that will cut right through. Rime ice holds heavy to the firs. Many folks were out enjoying the beautiful snow covered mountain yesterday. Although, not many views were seen instead, an all new landscape coated in white. Fresh snow covers any tracks besides the bobcat that keeps winning at hide and seek. Heavy clouds dominated the mountain with bitter cold temperatures. Clouds lifted only momentarily before we were socked in again. The night set in with great music tuned in from a local Knoxville station. Alfredo pesto with shrimp and noodles was the supper menu and let me tell ya. Wow! No leftovers were needed to be put up. Retiring to my cabin for the night I rested well to start the next day. See you at the top.