 Good Morning, We're under a light fog and a slight breeze, the temperature at observation a cool 37 degrees. There was no new precipitation. Cloudy skies appear to be the norm today with rain showers projected later in the afternoon. The sunny stretch was good while it lasted. 24 hour temperature range | High: 45 Low: 34 NOAA 7-Day Forecast -- The sun tried hard to escape the heavy blanket of clouds. At first the effort seemed pointless. Then, piece by piece, the sun punched through the canopy. The mountain glowed in praise of the light. I’d seen the view a thousand times - I couldn’t help but capture another photo. The view was the same; yet, it was always different. The light played off the trees, reflected off the clouds, in a kaleidoscope of ways… Humbled and happy, I savored a moment only Mt. LeConte could provide. Onward, Seth "Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life." 
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 Good Morning, Despite the abundant sunshine the region has received in recent days, a sneaky 0.1" of precipitation found its way into the ole rain gauge in the middle of the night. Current conditions are foggy with a light drizzle at a windless 38 degrees. 24 hour temperature range | High: 45 Low: 32 NOAA 7-Day Forecast -- Each spice held had earned its spot on the ledge. Raw honey and homemade apple butter sat low and to the right. The sweet combo was slightly closer to the counter for when the sweet tooth beckoned - as it often did. The others were each unique in their composition. Big, small, powered or liquid - the daily flavors could easily stand alone in their flavor; but more often than not they collaborated with nearby friends from far distance lands. My quiver of spices took each meal to new heights… I was smoothing it, not roughin’ it. Onward, Seth “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”    Good Morning, It's currently 32 degrees up top, with partly cloudy skies and moderate wind gusts. These consecutive days of sunshine are greatly appreciated, but even with no new precipitation there is still a decent amount of ice on the trails. Use caution! 24 hour temperature range | High: 32 Low: 15 NOAA 7-Day Forecast -- The morning light stretched effortlessly across the landscape. Clingmans Dome stood proud in the distance. My eyes enjoyed following the course of the Appalachian Trail. Light began to fill the shadows. I thought about that journey north and where my feet had led me. To say it was easy would be a lie - to say it was everything would be the purest truth… Blue and purple hues replaced the darkness. Lost in a daydream, I continued to stare. Onward, Seth "The best way out is always through." – Robert Frost    Good Morning, It's currently 15 degrees and clear up top. Strong gust can still be heard racing across the tree tops. We received no precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 38 Low: 15 NOAA 7-Day Forecast -- The wind woke me as it ripped through the tree tops. Feeling restless, I noticed the familiar shimmer of stars against a deep blue canvas of midnight sky. I debated for a moment before deciding to gear up and get outside. It was 4:00AM and I was wide awake, ready for walk around camp. The warm glow of the kerosene lantern cast a soft orange glow around me. The moonless night stared unblinkingly down at the world. Mesmerized, I couldn’t take my eyes off the scene. The cold wind numbed my fingers, they soon began to burn. It was colder than I anticipated. Unable to escape the skies grasps, I fought valiantly. Finally, I was able to blink, breaking the spell of the midnight magic. Smiling to myself, I made for the warmth of the cabin. Onward, Seth "I close my eyes, only for a moment…and the moment’s gone." 
Good Morning,
It’s currently 34 degrees and partly cloudy on Mount Le Conte. High winds have been dancing around the mountain. Conditions are quite damp on the mountain. We received 2.70” inches of precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 48 Low: 33 Mountain - Forecast Weather
Moonlight shimmered off a water logged trail. It was a bizarre scene to witness in the dark before the dawn.Wind shook the world around me as I entered the woods. Every tree waved as I passed by. Returning the gesture, I stayed vigilant in the off-chance that a Red Spruce get too excited and attempt to tackle me. Looking up, the sky glowed a clear blue - something I hadn’t seen in nearly a week. A smile formed naturally.
Clouds in the distance blocked the sun’s initial rise. Remaining patient and happy, I waited for the sun to approach the cloud ceiling. Myrtle Point stared with me until the sun crested the hazy brim of the grey wall. I lingered at the overlook for quite some time. In no hurry and not feeling rushed, I walked slowly back toward the lodge - soaking in the light. It was going to be a good day… Who was I kidding, they were all good days. Onward, Seth There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot.  Good Morning, It’s currently 42 degrees, socked in, and raining on Mount Le Conte. The winds have calmed down but the rain remains persistent, starting up again just after sunrise. I’d recommend heavy duty rain gear if you’re getting out and about today; better yet, you might be better served just bringing a boat. We received .84” inches of precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 46 Low: 41 NOAA 7-Day Forecast Mountain - Forecast Weather -- A steady drum of rain could be heard around the mountain. As far as I could tell there were no plans for it to stop anytime soon. The rain was good. The flowers of spring would agree. The rain was good in that it showed the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in a different light. Evergreen silhouettes made a dark impression on the rolling fog. The combination of fog and mountain made the landscape appear cold and inhospitable. To dwell in such a landscape felt special, it was special… Soaked, I splashed happily back to the cabin. Onward, Seth “The nicest thing about the rain is that it always stops. Eventually.”  Good Morning, It’s currently 46 degrees and socked in on Mount Le Conte. The winds have died down; it’s still spitting rain intermittently. Expect and plan for wet conditions if you're coming up the mountain. We received .87” inches of precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 48 Low: 38 NOAA 7-Day Forecast Mountain - Forecast Weather -- A damp heavy fog continued to blanket the mountain. A light rain mixed with the already wet air. Walking around camp, I debated laying down in a puddle just so I could experience all three types of wet. Wet as it was Mt. LeConte, the island in the sky, was as beautiful as ever. Hazy white heavens blended well with the saturated features below. I wandered around until I had experienced enough wet for the time being… Finding shelter from the elements, I burrowed into a book. Onward, Seth “Rain, whose soft architectural hands have power to cut stones, and chisel to shapes of grandeur the very mountains."  Good Morning, It’s currently 46 degrees and socked in on Mount Le Conte. Rogue gust can occasionally be heard across the tree tops. Expect damp conditions if you’re out and about today. We received .85” inches of precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 48 Low: 33 NOAA 7-Day Forecast Mountain - Forecast Weather -- If I only had one word to describe the morning - dreary, would have to fit. Damp clouds saturated every surface of Mount LeConte. Balsam Fir smiled with arms wide open. They loved the moisture brought freely on the wind. I took an oversized sip of coffee. Caffeine dripped through my beard. Unfazed, I continued my morning observations. Walking through the fog, I let my mind slip out of the present, into the future. Like the current conditions it was hard to see too far ahead. I quickly abandoned placing too much thought into the realm of uncertainty. Stoic philosophy knew the dangers of looking too far ahead - you run the risk of causing more suffering than the original worry could even hold on its own - all at the cost of losing the moment, the cost of losing the now. I looked up to hear a black capped chickadee calling through the mist. I responded with a smile. The here and now is all I was guaranteed…the day wasn't so dreary after all. Onward. “We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more in imagination than in reality.” 
Good Morning,
It’s currently 36 degrees on Mount Le Conte. The mountain has been experiencing extreme winds for the last 10 hours. As of right now, the road (Hwy 441) is closed to all traffic, including park employ We received .96” inches of precipitation which has turned into .5” inches of ice/ snow combo on the ground. 24 hour temperature range | High: 39 Low: 27
Wind howled like I have never heard. A constant assault of high velocity air hammered Mt. LeConte from dusk till dawn. As I transformed my thoughts into words, the wind continued to shake the Great Smoky Mountains for all they were worth.
Warm and cozy in my loft, I stared in admiration from the convenient perch. Dry, happy, and humble - I picked up a new book and settled in. It wouldn’t be a day to venture out; but rather, a day to nestle into the words of another. Onward, Seth “That’s the thing about books.  Good Morning, It’s currently 38 degrees and overcast on Mount Le Conte. It’s nearly windless at the moment, creating a calm and peaceful landscape. We received no precipitation. 24 hour temperature range | High: 38 Low: 27 NOAA 7-Day Forecast Mountain - Forecast Weather -- Winds ripped out of the south-west. My cheeks burned with each split. It didn’t matter either way, the clouds demanded my full attention. Long tails from a past storm created beautiful formations in the sky. Golden light highlighted the tips of the speckled clouds. An excuse to stop smiling was no where to be found… The mountain continued bringing me gifts on the wind. Onward, Seth “Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.” |
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
January 2023
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