and love it don't die, it just goes from girl to girl.

12/20/2012

Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. Stephen King

Morning,

Things are crazy up top right now! I could hardly walk from my cabin to the kitchen without sliding down the mountain! We are experiencing every pallette of rain, some of which has immediately turned to ice. My front porch is a sheet of glace. It's almost like Nature is trying to get me into the holiday spirit and remind me of ice skating at Rockefeller Center! The high yesterday was 41 degrees. The overnight low reached 31 degrees. It was 33 degrees and cloudy at observation. The forecast is calling for storms through the afternoon, so be prepared for some nasty weather.

I had an amazing night hike up Alum yesterday evening. The waning moon hung over the ridges as I ascended, a gentle guide to coax me up the mountain.There's nothing quite like taking some quiet moments, turning off my headlamp and turning my attention to the stars. You could taste the approaching storm in the air. It's so easy to make memories up here.

A special thanks to Dave Scanlan and Jackie Huskey for their trail magic! The blueberries, tea and NY Times are much appreciated!

Juanita

12/20/2012 03:45:36 am

How better could a job be. I am waitin for spring ready to hike up again.

Jack Smith

12/20/2012 03:59:19 am

Coming up tomorrow, you care to post trail beta in the morning? The favor will be returned when we get to the top. Thanks.

12/20/2012 05:15:38 am

Jack,
That sounds good. I'll try my best to have it up by 8!

David

12/20/2012 06:49:26 am

Actually...this week it's a waxing moon (before full moon), then "waning" after a full moon. Regardless, I look forward to every day's new post and report. Merry Christmas! Hope it's a white one on top of the mountain.

Susan Haubold

12/26/2012 02:18:46 am

David....thank you correcting his mention of the moon....yes waxing NOT waning!

S Hasting

12/20/2012 08:26:18 am

Hold on to your hat JP! We're having very high winds here in north AL, and just heard on the news that they are having a lot of downed trees along the Foothills Parkway! Hope you don't get blown off the mountain tonight!!!

sheldon

12/20/2012 08:49:05 am

Where in N AL if I can ask? I'm a Lawrence County Redneck and still have family there.

Sharon

12/21/2012 02:50:34 am

Sheldon I live in the northern part of DeKalb County, in a small town called Ider. Just 35 miles southwest of Chattanooga TN. Don't eve know where Lawrence Co. is? Don't you just love reading these posts from atop Mt. Leconte? I would love to hike up there some day! I check JP's posts every day!!

sheldon

12/21/2012 03:07:09 am

Small world. Lived in Valley Head while working in Fort Payne for two years. Mt. Leconte IS a great place. Been there several times - last year with five inches of snow on the ground and just last week as well. You should do it, worth the work.

Charles John

12/20/2012 08:36:02 am

Glad to hear the midnight hike went well. also from "Tolkien" "The days are now short" "Our hopes cometh or all hopes end" "Therefore I have sent thee what I have made" Arwen of the Enchanted bakery.

sheldon

12/20/2012 08:56:14 am

JP, may I ask what brand of headlamp you use? Lumen?

12/22/2012 11:30:08 am

Petzl Tikka 2. I don't know the lumens, but it's about 50 dollars.

Mary Anne Rudolph

12/20/2012 09:02:00 am

JP, I am in Cosby right near the Maddron Bald Trail Head and the Sevier/Cocke County line. We had in excess of 50 mph winds for hours today. It is quiet now at 5PM. I heard they closed 441 due to the winds today. A good call. We never lost power, but I was waiting for it. Cannot imagine what it was like at LeConte. We could hear the roar in the high country from our house!! Stay safe.

dana pekarchick

12/20/2012 09:21:14 am

In West TN we've had gusts up to 57 mph!!!
Driving to work in Jackson at the UT Ag experiment station was not fun!!!

m h

1/24/2013 04:34:54 pm

The natuer is better from vase.

m h

1/25/2013 04:28:50 pm

The wildflower is not fun in the vase.

Raz Theo

12/20/2012 09:25:46 am

"My front porch is a sheet of glace"??? It appears we have a French-Canadian in the woodpile. No wonder, JP, you're so at home in Arctic extremes.

12/22/2012 11:31:21 am

Haha Raz, I wish. I just chatted with plenty of them this spring in the Whites....

Bill Drummy

12/20/2012 10:33:58 am

Let's see the photos! Get permission for a trail camera?

12/22/2012 11:31:57 am

Bill,
Park Service will be up in early January. Maybe I'll get to ask them then!

Jaydensmommie

12/20/2012 05:58:26 pm

I love reading the daily blog and the pics!!i never thought about hiking up there before i found this site.one of my new years resolution is going to be to get in shape so i cn hike up there!!its so beautiful:-)

Debi

12/20/2012 08:12:20 pm

We lost power for a second at 3 am, windy out there this Friday morn with bad snow. School is closed in Ludington, MIchigan. Yeah, vacation starts early!

Brad

12/21/2012 02:14:25 am

Coming up to the shelter for News Eve will the Spring still be running to get water ? Can we bring something up for you ? you are welcome to jion us for some good Kentucky Bourben and Irish Whiskey !

12/22/2012 11:33:02 am

Brad,
I'll let you know if I have any specific cravings as the date draws nearer.
You're speaking my language. See you there!

Brad

12/21/2012 02:15:29 am

Make that New Years Eve

Comments are closed.

and love it don't die, it just goes from girl to girl.

LeConte Lodge

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