High 32, Low 26.

Looks to be one of those famous foggy, rainy days on Leconte, where you can't help but pick up Icicle swords, fight mythical creatures, and speculate how amazing the sunset is just beyond that darned fog. It continually switches between snow/ice/and rain every 30 minutes or so. There is a new .5" of snow on the ground. It's Icy and Slushy. 

And my first Photoshop modified picture I've done in a long time...

High 32, Low 26. 


Alum was packed down really well, was able to make it up under 1:45  yesterday, beating my best winter hike time. Of course, it is very icy since all the heat/sun we've gotten, but with these microspikes it was fine. Trillium, Boulevard, and Bullhead all have not had trail broken yet. Time in Gatlinburg was good, was able to hike up about 25lbs of fresh vegetables and fruit too. I'll be up this week, then back down friday for the Beardsley Farm Soup and Beard Competition at Barley's in Knoxville. Supposed to be raining today (90%), which should make the trail uncomfortable. About once a month it gets to a point where I absolutely have to do laundry... That day is today. And yes, Allyson is a much, much better photographer than I. http://www.allysonvirdenphotography.com

High 29, Low 20.

I seen about 25 people walking around up here yesterday (all with good gear.), a busy day after not seeing anyone for almost 2 weeks!  Mohona, the crew says hey. Clothing, I am almost always wearing a Patagonia Capilene 4 Base Layer shirt, Similiar off brand long johns (cant turn around far enough to read tag). Rei Taku Pants, Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor Jacket, and when it's brutal out there, the north face ice down jacket, this thing is too huge for backpacking but, when it's blizzardly it's awesome. I have a pair of neos I use sometime when walking somewhere and dont want shoes all wet, but they always come loose for me when its muddy, saw some 'forty below' overshoes yesterday that looked really impressive, haven't looked into them yet. geargeargear... I have the chance to run down the mountain and spend the night in town and be back tomorrow, I'll see you all then. 

High 25, Low 10

The Llamas and the llama caretaker, Alan, is on vacation now, supplies are brought up in a backpack. The picture from yesterday is the moon, Had a really cool pink cloud hanging around it, couldn't get the colors exactly how I wanted them though. As far as the kindle, I just never splurged for one mainly because, I spend so much time in places with extreme weather, and spend a lot of that time outdoors, my experience with most technology is that they aren't made for that kind of use. Enjoying the sun. 

High 18, Low 5. 

As for the trails, I haven't seen anyone hiking in a while, none of the trails are broken yet. I imagine I'll see somebody up here today, they've opened the roads last i've heard, and the sun's out. If you are planning on hiking up, realize that it will take you much, much longer than normal in this snow, be prepared and be aware when it's time to turn around. My season up here starts Thanksgiving and finishes in the beginning of march sometime, Haven't figured out if i'll be here for pre-season yet, or not. Xtratuffs aren't necessarily for hiking, but treat me well when working up here. As for my room, unless you're a twenty-something lady interested in fermented tea, Vonnegut, and helping me learn French/Spanish phrases to help me not get robbed while in Europe this spring... it's very unlikely you'll see it. It's the room closest to the kitchen, where Katie from last season stayed. Cool colors last night during sunset. 

High 6, Low -1. 
1" new snow. 
Gonna finally slow down today. 

High 28, Low 0.   5" of new snow.
Very Windy, with crazy drifts, I literally stepped into a drift yesterday up to my chest on Alum Cave Trail. It took an incredibly long time hiking up from the bluffs back to the lodge. 
The sun came out for a little while yesterday, making for a really nice hike, the camera battery died, so not so many pictures.
You all know those icicles that hang off the alum bluffs? the ones that come crashing down when the sun shines? I always knew it was bound to happen, I finally got hit by one, right above the knee, big ole' bruise. 
It's supposed to stay cold and keep snowing today/tonight.
The "new" lodge is the name for the center lodge with 2 side rooms. 

high 28, low 19. 1" snow.
28 inches on the ground, with drifts much higher.
It's been very windy. 
I think we might get a break today, 
and then 60% chance of snow tonight. 
i'll be breaking trail some today hiking around, 
pictures tomorrow.
Maybe Channel 6 news team will be hiking up for an interview later? 

Rainbow Falls is normally preferable over Bullhead this time of year because 1) Shorter Distance. 2) The Drifts on Bullhead can get very high. 

High 22, Low -1.
3" of Snow this morning so far.
much more in the forecast. 
Gotta love Tom Robbins; Took a break from reading
to listen to the new This American Life.
The sink hasn't been giving me problems anymore, I've figured out the trick to keeping it from freezing.
Yes, Cherokee Orchard Rd. is closed... This means you have to park and start hiking from Mynatt Park in Gatlinburg. Hiking Cherokee Orchard Rd. isn't the most enjoyable hike, and for most people is not a possible day trip.
snowshoes & ski's are being used often up here now. 

New Lodge, and the Cliff Tops Trail.

High 10, Low -8.  9" more snow. 
Drifts Waist Deep and higher. 
More snow coming in tonight. 
Starting Jitterbug Perfume Today. 
Dick and Al hiked up yesterday, 
it took 8hrs and 45mins up rainbow falls.
These Pictures are from Boulevard, 
the ones yesterday from hiking down Alum. 

Mt. Leconte Shelter.

Rock Slide on Boulevard... where'd the trail go? 

Chelsea at Apollo Overlook.