Morning y'all,

It is a soggy, grey day up top. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The low was 23 degrees. It was 41 degrees and lightly raining at 7am observation. The mountain received 1.37 inches of rain last night. The snow is down to about 6 inches and I would bet that the majority of it will disappear today. The trails are a total mess, so be prepared for wet feet.

The rainy days are just as vital as the sunny.

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The overnight low was 19 degrees. It was 23 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation yesterday and the snowpack is down to about 9 inches total. The trails are getting packed down and a little bit slick. I'd recommend carrying some sort of traction devices to ensure that you don't hurt yourself. It should be another beautiful day, enjoy!

Cliff Tops was totally exhilarating yesterday evening. There were serious clouds out towards the west and the winds were relentlessly fierce. I watched the sun emerge from time to time through layers of storm clouds, creating a grey and red effect when it's mood saw fit. It felt a bit like being on the sea shore, a dense energy swirling around constantly reminding you of just how weak and fleshy you are in the midst of nature's raw powers.

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, gloomy day up top. The high yesterday reached 32 degrees. The overnight low was 17 degrees. It was 27 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. There are about 10 inches of snow up top, but there are knee deep drifts out towards Myrtle Point. Be sure to pack serious winter gear! It sounds like we're going to have a few days of warm temps and melting, so spikes could become a necessity once the soft powder refreezes into ice sheets at night.

I had another gorgeous hike last evening. Rolling into camp with deep snow as the night falls will never get old. The sun was a bright red orb, sending golden rays through the slanty pines and every shade of pinkbluepurple into the light spattering of clouds. The fresh snow hints at the way, a magic carpet of dim brightness. The trees stand sentinel as the night's blue haze settles. Letting your eyes adjust, you become one of the night creatures. Human cares disappear, you can taste a pure calm in between each labored breath and light shuffle. The cold thin wintry air sears your lungs, the finest anti-depressant.

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, snowy day up top. The high yesterday was 21 degrees. The low was 9 degrees. It was 17 degrees and clearing at 7am observation. There is still about a foot of snow on the ground, with some deep drifts up top. The trails are really tough going right now. Expect to take about double your usual time. The snow is very soft, it feels like you are sinking in deep sand with each step. The sluggish pace makes for wonderful moments of peace, the silence overwhelms in all the right ways. Enjoy!

Morning y'all,

It is another beautiful, snowy day up top. The high yesterday reached 35 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 10 degrees. It is currently 10 degrees and lightly snowing. The mountain received 6 inches of new snow. We had some melt yesterday, so the total is at around a foot. It's sure to be a slog on the trails. It took me about time and a half to cover my usual distance heading uphill yesterday, for every step forward you seem to slide one step back. If you intend to get out, be prepared to move slow! I'd recommend wool socks, waterproof shoes, gaiters, snow pants and a positive attitude. Enjoy!!

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, clear, snowy morning up top. The stuff of dreams. The high yesterday reached 23 degrees. The overnight low was 14 degrees. It was 22 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow, so the total up top is still around 10 inches. The cold temps have kept the powder fluffy, so it is pretty easy walking. It is mostly around 5-6 inches deep on the trails up until the double stair on Alum, then it picks up a little. Gaiters, snow pants, waterproof shoes and wool socks make it WAY easier, I'd recommend them all for these conditions. This is not the time of year for jeans and cotton socks. I'll be out exploring, enjoy the day!

I went for a run yesterday afternoon just as the clouds were starting to break. The mountain had been in the midst of about 3 days of mysterious, ever shifting shades of grey before this grand show. While I've taught myself to savor whatever weather the mountain delivers (though I will always wish for more SNOW), intentional thinking will only get you so far. There is something special about those first few minutes of sunshine, as the clouds are gently evaporating, creating a tapestry of cloudlight that is it's own artwork, unique as a snowflake. The sun gives all the fresh snow a transcendent glow. We crave the sunshine, this promise for brighter days. The landscape osmosis leaks into our brains and brightens our moods. Before I knew it, I was skipping up the mountain, laughing at how ridiculous it is to be feeling all this beauty, the sole human resident of a National Park.

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, snowy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 28 degrees. The overnight low got down to 15 degrees. It was 15 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation.The snow started flying around 11am yesterday and picked up throughout the day. The mountain received 9 inches of new snow, bringing our total to about 10 inches. The trails have soft, fluffy powder all over them, so be sure to have waterproof shoes, gaiters, snow pants and a change of socks if you intend to summit. Otherwise, you're gonna be in trouble. The Park Service is currently working on getting the roads open. That is sure totake some time, so I'd suggest hiking the Old Sugarlands trail or something in the Gatlinburg vicinity if you want to get out and move. It is getting dark around 6pm, so unless you have a headlamp and enjoy night hiking on uneven terrain, I'd suggest turning around at 3pm to ensure that you get back to civilization. Have fun!

Morning y'all,

It is a foreboding morning up top. The world is bright with fresh snow and mysterious clouds are lingering on the horizon. The high yesterday reached 28 degrees. The overnight low reached 17 degrees. It was 26 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. There is still about an inch of snow on the mountain. There is supposed to be some sort of snow coming today. YAWN. Southern winters have been a sad joke the past few years. I doubt we get more than 6 inches, but I hope I'm wrong. I am tired of the hype. Let me know when there are FEET on the ground. Stay informed on the latest road conditions on the Park Service's twitter feed.

In other news, sunset transcended words last night. Just another mind-blowing display. Language is an inadequate tool. I was shuffling back down to camp, lightly shaking my head, letting my tree neighbors know about how much I love them all, thinking about why I even entertain the idea of living more than a 10 minute walk from such wonders. The longer I do this, the more settled it seems - I was made to live in the woods. The fresh air just feels so right sometimes. You can taste the strength in the spring water. The iridescent skycolours after the sun sets defy your petty attempts to label them. The pure woods never let you down, they only astound and astound.

ps: happy birthday to my favorite little bhikkhuni!! i hope your day is as bright and wonderful as you are.

Morning y'all,

It's a gorgeous, snowy day up top. The high yesterday reached 27 degrees. The overnight low was 18 degrees. It was 19 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received an inch of new snow, hopefully a sign of more to come. There is an inch total up top and the trails are in good shape with fresh snow for traction. There are still some slick spots of black ice, but for the most part the trails are a pleasure. Keep an eye on the Park Service's twitter account for road information!

Last night was perfect. I sauntered around the mountain and set down my sleeping bag off trail hoping to meet some of my neighbors. The lingering clouds created an inversion cap over Gatlinburg, blocking out the perpetual hype of civilization and leaving a spectacular starshow for me to enjoy. 19th century entertainment. The fresh snow reflected the moonlight with an otherwordly glow and come to think of it, it may as well have been another world. It bears little resemblance to life in the valley. I felt like a ghost wandering around, listening for my fellow night creatures, revelling in the solitude and snowy perfection and the quiet expectation of wild encounters.

Morning y'all,

It is a beautiful, blustery morning up top. The high yesterday reached 30 degrees. The overnight low was 23 degrees. It was 27 degrees and lightly snowing at 7am observation. It looks like the mountain is due to receive a little bit of snow today. There is still a trace left up top. The trails are rather icy, hopefully the new snow provides some much needed traction. It should be a great day to get out, enjoy!

I had a great hike up Rainbow yesterday. I love late afternoon jaunts up the mountain, there is always so much to see. The grey evening light settled as I got towards Rocky Spur, allowing me to watch the stars come up as I made the ridgewalk from the Bullhead junction. There is so much astonishment to be had in this environment, you just need to stay alert and let the inspiration flow into you. Many come to the woods for their sparseness, that 'other' quality in comparison to their overstimulated lives. There is so much to engage the mind once your focus narrows and the clutter drops to the wayside. Break out of your man made chrysallis.