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.

Good morning folks,

A frigid start to the morning on the mountain. The high only reached 13 degrees but with calm winds it was actually pleasant to be outdoors. The overnight low dipped down to 9 degrees. It’s currently 12 degrees with heavy cloud cover. We received 0.19” of precipitation. Moderate snow fell most of the morning and into the afternoon bringing our snow depth up to 8”. Traction is needed to safely reach the summit as well as get down the mountain. There are chances for snow tonight but amounts uncertain. Stay tuned. Have a great day.

The morning snow fall covered any and all tracks around camp quickly. Fat fluffy lakes landed and became ice crystals in my beard. The afternoon run down to Rocky Spur was exhilarating as I moved swiftly through the heavy snow that laid on the fir trees. Light snow fell most of the morning and well into the afternoon. Making my way back to the lodge i was eager to settle in for supper. Fondue with bread and salad. What a treat! Night fell quickly but the oil lamps help stir any darkness away from the kitchen. Retiring to my cabin the night settled in on LeConte. See you at the top! Skiing is high on the list today!
​

Good morning folks,

Currently socked in with light snow falling on the mountain. Always a great start to the day seeing fresh snow covering camp. The high yesterday only reached 27 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to a brisk 9 degrees. It’s currently 9 degrees with calm winds. We received 0.11” of precipitation. We received 1.50” since the snow started sometime in the early morning hours. Our snow depth still stands around 6.50”. The mountains are under a “Winter Weather Advisory” until 7pm tonight. The higher elevations could see up to 3-4” after the system moves out. Much colder temps today with lows dropping down in the teens tonight into Sunday morning. Us. Hwy. 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is closed due to snow/ice. Cherokee orchard remains accessible so, Rainbow Falls trail and Bullhead trail await your arrival. Traction will be needed! Have a great day folks!


Clouds laid heavy on the mountain until mid afternoon when they scattered into the distant horizon. Cliff tops was a spectacular show with clouds breaking over sections of mountain ranges and hollers within the park. Clingmans was being shy and wouldn’t show. Eventually the clouds broke up with much greetings. Blue skies were above with all the mountains one could see in front of me. On top of my most cherished place. Mt. LeConte. See you at the top!

​PNUT

PIZZA!

Good morning folks,

It’s a chilly start to the morning. Socked in conditions with light snow falling on the mountain. Winds have been racing through camp most of night making it very noisy but also pleasant sleeping conditions. The high yesterday reached a warm 41 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to 23 degrees. It’s currently 27 degrees as I type. The recent sun paired with the warmer temps has dropped our snow depth down to around 5”. Today will be much cooler with winds gusting upwards of 35 mph. A cold weekend is ahead with highs in the 20’s and lows dropping into the teens or even single digits tonight into Saturday. If you plan to venture up the mountain pack plenty of layers as well as traction devices they will all be needed. US. Hwy. 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is closed for the incoming snow. Cherokee orchard remains accessible at this time. Plan your trip accordingly and remember temperatures are drastically colder on top so bring plenty of layers. Have a great day folks!

The morning began with the wind waking me for an early start to the day. Valley lights twinkle as the morning rush hour begins. There is no traffic on my morning commute but only the snow that lays under my boot. Lights become distant with the heavy freezing fog moving around the mountain. Light snow falls as I sit and enjoy the morning. Having eaten a very large breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and biscuits paired with a large cold glass of TANG! I felt rather large backing away from the table. A very relaxing day ahead with the possibility of some skiing. Stay tuned! See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Another crystal clear start to the day. Calm winds are blowing the tops of the fir trees making it feel much chillier. The high yesterday was a warm 45 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 25 degrees. It’s currently 27 degrees with a light breeze. With the warming tend we have been experiencing our snow depth stands at 6”. Traction is needed to safely reach the summit. With Hwy. 441 opening it took now time for day hikers to come up Alum. I ran into a few people that saw me Cross-Country skiing and they laughed and admired my adventure. Weather should be great today with increasing clouds later with snow showers late tonight into tomorrow afternoon. Upwards of 3-5” are likely. Temps will plummet into the teens/single digits for lows this weekend. That will make it feel more like the winter on LeConte. Be aware that conditions change in the higher elevations. It’s going to be another great day on the mountain. Have a great day!

Striking a match. The oil lamps stir away the darkness. My day begins. The sun is rising with much color over high top. Hot coffee in hand. I watch and enjoy my life on the mountain. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

It’s another fine morning at 6593’. The sun is shining and the snow is sparkling in the daylight. It was a mild day yesterday with the afternoon temps reaching 33 degrees. Our overnight low only dropped down to a cool 20 degrees. It’s currently 32 degrees with calm winds and blue skies above. A heavy inversion lays heavy again on the valley below with mountain peaks poking out to say hello. The rays of sunshine we saw yesterday melted our snow depth down to around 7.5”. Today looks to be much of the same with plenty of sunshine with calm winds making it very pleasant to be outside. Looking ahead, snow is forecasted for the weekend with much colder temps moving back into the region. US Hwy. 441 remains closed for snow/ice but, Cherokee Orchard is accessible. Have a great day!

It was a winter sports day on the mountain yesterday. The retro ski boots clipped in nicely to the cross country skis. Having never used this type of contraption. I set off. Gliding through the forest with heavy snow clinging to the fir trees. With no clouds in the sky, I felt totally free. This was definitely a new perspective to see the mountain. These very large sticks on my feet are not the easiest to turnaround. Being that I didn’t totally wipeout, it was a successful adventure. On to the next sporting event, Tubing. The front steps that lead into camp are ideal for this sport. Sitting in this large doughnut shaped rubber tube I pushed off. Gaining more speed than I anticipated and spinning backwards I finally rested just in front of cabin 5 & 6. Whoooo! That’s a blast. Having worked up a bit of an appetite I thought I would make a homemade apple cobbler to reward myself for not crashing. The day grew into evening and I set off to relax in my cabin. Oil lamps trickle into the night and I fade into a deep sleep. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a fine morning on the mountain. Calm winds with a heavy inversion have taken over the daylight hours. The high yesterday only reached 26 degrees with an overnight low of 22 degrees. It is currently 23 and warming as I type. We received 0.20” of precipitation with 1” of new snowfall bringing our snow depth to 9.5”. Warmer weather returns this week with abundant sunshine all before the next front of snowfall returns for the weekend. Traction is needed to reach the summit safely. Bring those best layers as well as puffy jackets it’s chilly up top. Hwy. 441 remains closed as of now but, Cherokee Orchard Rd just opened so, access to Rainbow Falls and Bullhead await you. Have a good day folks.

Heavy snow fell as I loaded my pack with much needed groceries for the mountain. Things included: 5 lbs. of potatoes, onions, apples, bananas, asparagus, spinach, carrots, peppers, honey and many other fresh veggies. Lacing up my trusty trail-runner paired with high gaiters wrapping my lower legs, I set off. The climb was steady as I approached the higher elevations. I followed the white covered trial like the yellow brick road from the Wizard of Oz. I admired the beauty that I was covered in and smiled. My arrival into camp was coated in a thick fog with a snow covered mountain. I was home! The night set in and I retired to my cozy cabin. I read by oil lamp and dozed off. See you at the top!

​PNUT