Good Morning, 10:30AM It’s currently 39 degrees - cloudy and raining. Yesterday’s high was 39 degrees, with an overnight low of 29 degrees. We received .5” inches of rain. US Hwy 441/ Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is now open. -- I called in the weather and re-directed my attention to the cup of coffee resting on the counter. The music of rain thumped outside, a gust of wind chimed into the rhythmic song. I sipped my coffee and thought about the mountains just outside the window. The ever changing landscape never ceased to amaze me. Grabbing two 7 gallon water jugs, I trudged through the slush. It was time to refill my water supply. I enjoyed the process of fetching water. Carrying over 100 pounds of water back up the mountains was always challenging and equally as rewarding. Every time I hauled the liquid gold, my appreciation for it grew. Lifting the load… I began the ascent. Onward, Seth “The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
8 Comments
Good Morning, 11:00AM It’s currently 30 degrees and cloudy - socked in. Yesterday’s high was 34 degrees with an overnight low of 8 degrees. We still have 7” inches of snow on the ground. Road Closure Updates: https://goo.gl/HikrMr -- Punching through the deep snow, I labored forward. A combination of inspiration and curiosity motivated me to move. The conditions made the snow heavy and slick - I trudged on. Since arriving on Mt. Le Conte, I had thoughts of photographing the mountain from different perspectives, different angles. Today would be one of those days. When the sun set, I would be in the spot I’d stared at weeks before. I looked down, tracks from a more experienced neighbor reassured my route. The black bear knew best - this must be the path of less resistance… I labored on. So it goes, Seth “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” – Galileo Galilei
Good Morning, 2:00PM It’s currently 30 degrees - sunny and above the clouds. Yesterday’s high was 31 degrees, with an overnight low of 11. We received .72” inches of precipitation - giving the snow a solid outer shell. US Hwy 441/ Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow and ice. Cherokee Orchard Road with access to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead is also closed due to snow and ice. Follow the link below for updates on road closures. https://goo.gl/HikrMr -- My alarm rang. Looking out my window, I noticed that Le Conte was still nestled in a cloud. Geared up, I made my way outside to begin the morning duties. Yesterday’s snow was coated in a stiff shell of sleet. I crunched toward the kitchen to call in the weather and brew up something warm. Walking back outside to check the weather station, I noticed the southern sky showcasing hints of blue. Excited, I found a new pep in my step. Minutes later, I crunched happily toward the clearing sky. Looking up, I was convinced it was the bluest sky I had ever seen. Granted, my opinion was biased after a long day of living in the clouds. Clingmans Dome began peering out from the inversion below. Soaking in as much sun as I could, I sauntered toward Myrtle Point... The moon watched me as I went. Onward, Seth “I like to think that the moon is there even if I am not looking at it.” - Albert Einstein
Good Morning, 9:30AM It’s currently 30 degrees - cloudy, windy and raining. Yesterday’s high was 30 degrees, with and overnight low of 12 degrees. We received 1” of new snow. US Hwy 441/ Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow and ice. Closure Updates: https://goo.gl/HikrMr -- I stumbled through camp. A combination of snow and sleet stung my face - the winds were relentless. Going to the bathroom had turned into, what felt like, an Everest expedition. I cinched my parka closer around my face. The landscape had intensified. Meandering back toward the kitchen, the return expedition would finish with a warm kitchen smothered in the aroma of fresh coffee... Yesterday, Back in my loft, I stared out at the grey world. I’d already decided to dedicate this Sunday to rest and recovery. I had books to read, things to learn and unapologetic afternoon naps to pursue. I looked out side... sleet and snow continued to fall. Onward, Seth “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” - Ansel Adams
Good Morning, 10:30AM It’s currently 26 degrees and clear up top. Yesterdays high was 18 degrees, with an overnight low of 1 degree. We currently have 7” inches of snow on the ground. US Hwy 441/ Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC has been re-opened. -- Yesterday… I was in the middle of working on a journal entry from my afternoon survey of Mt. Le Conte when I looked out my small loft window - only to see that sunset was well on its way. Placing my computer down, I dressed at record pace. My decision to rush toward the final light gave me a thrilling sensation. Clad in heavy canvas overalls and rubber boots, I began up the steep direct route to Cliff Tops. My already extended tripod swung, somewhat, gracefully in my left hand. Breathing deep, I looked up to see where the light illuminated the peaks of the mature red spruce. Still running, I saw that I had time - I would make it. Gliding back down the mountain, my thoughts drifted between the beautiful sunset and my second-dinner propositions. It didn’t take long for me to make it back to the lodge. Gravity was on my side, this time. I lit the stove and placed a well seasoned cast-iron over the flame. Waiting for the iron to warm, I briefly glanced out on the back porch to see the tail ends of sunset over Pigeon Forge. Looking down at the city below, I noticed the colors changing on the ferris wheel - some folks were waiting in traffic. The orange glow of the sun’s last light caused me to look up. The scene was surreal. The thought of dinner intruded - taking my full attention… The skillet was ready. Onward, Seth “Never go too long without watching a sunset.” - Atticus Good Morning, 11:00AM It’s currently 6 degrees and above the clouds. Yesterday’s high was 33 degrees, with an overnight low of 8. We received 2” inches of snow, with a layer of freezing rain beneath. US Hwy 441/ Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow and ice. Cherokee Orchard Road with access to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead is also closed due to snow and ice. Follow the link below for updates on road closures. https://goo.gl/HikrMr As promised, I’ve shared my favorite Le Conte Lodge night photo. The full moon had just crested the north corner of High Top. I was in the middle of cooking when the motion came to go out on the back porch to see the moon again. The ambient light paired with the warm glow of the kitchen left me speechless. My cabin looked lonely and dark. I ran inside and turned down the heat on the stove. I then placed the miners lantern on the porch of my cabin. The light of the full moon lit the scene - kerosene lanterns warmed it…I hope you enjoy the results! ~ The morning started moody. I ground fresh coffee and began the brewing process. My spirits lifted with the earthy aroma. Looking outside, I knew it would be a cold one, but with 2” fresh inches of snow, I couldn’t resist. Trudging through the snow, I arrived at my sunrise locale. Small gaps in the clouds gave way to the incredible color above. I waited. The little doorways to heaven became more frequent. Purple hues enveloped the mountain. The sun continued to rise. Faint hints of purple remained, the golden light started taking over. I yelled instinctively. Overwhelmed, everywhere I looked presented a new scene to witness. On my way back to the lodge, I couldn’t help but take the untouched detour to Cliff Tops. I stayed out much longer than I probably should have, considering the single digit temperatures and wind. Something about the combination of light, clouds, and mountains make me forget all sense of time. The moments take over. The sun rose higher. The scene was changing again… I moved as slow as possible back toward the lodge. Onward, Seth “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” — Karl Lagerfeld
Good Morning, It’s currently 28 degrees socked in - cloudy and windy. Yesterday’s high was 39 degrees, with an overnight low of 26 degrees. There is currently 5” inches of snow on the ground. US Highway 441/ Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is now open, use caution and watch for snow and ice. -- I wandered outside. The cities below complimented the star speckled sky. I waited patiently as the lunar spotlight climbed up and over the ridge. Additional lighting became unnecessary in the newly lit world. Enjoying the scene, I forced myself to tuck-in for the night. I needed to catch up on sleep. The sleep came - swiftly and silently. The first morning of February would be a moody one. Walking around camp with a mug full of coffee and the glowing lantern, I explored my surroundings. I looked down at my old Casio watch - the sun was rising. The blueish grey hue around the lodge transitioned to a purple haze. Even if I couldn’t see the sunrise, the benefits of being outside persisted. Wandering - I found myself on the porch of the Ritz. I sipped my mug of brown caffeinated nectar, wondering what the day would bring - how the month would unfold… I rambled on. Onward, Seth “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu
|
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
March 2024
|