Good morning all,
Woke up to fairly mild temperatures this morning! Currently, it is 43 degrees outside with delicate strands of clouds above. Silence is in full swing up here, as wind gusts come and go. The evergreens flutter ever so slightly in the wind, while the subtle clouds shape shift over time. Crow chatter disrupts the quiet, one of them even started pecking on my window! Maybe they're trying to tell me something, but I'm having trouble comprehending. Crows aside, it is a wonderful day to be on the trail! Pleasant temperatures, moody skies, and 8.0" of snow make for a stellar hike! If you are planning on climbing the gem of the Smokies today, you're in luck! All roads leading to the base of LeConte are open, which means all trails can be hiked! Snow depth is slowly decreasing with the rising temps, so be on the lookout for slush and dry spots along the trail. In my opinion, micro spikes are not necessary at this point. With rain on the forecast later this week, the snow could melt off almost completely. Temperatures could climb in the upper 40s, and possibly even the lower 50s! That is extremely uncharacteristic for this time of year. What happened to Old Man Winter? Has Jack Frost said his goodbyes? Looking ahead, weather predictions are reminiscent of Spring. However, this weekend is calling for bitter cold and snow showers, which means Jack Frost isn't far gone... The high temperature yesterday was a scalding 44 degrees, with a low of 16. Clear skies to my surprise, not a cloud in sight all day! White coating paired with a crystal blue sky, a truly elegant scene up here! I was fortunate enough to catch the sunrise and sunset, which hasn't been possible in quite some time. In the early hours, frost engulfed my cabin as I set out for sunset. In a brief moment, all signs of inhospitable cold were nowhere to be found. Starting out in the high teens yesterday morning, temperatures rose quickly as the sun awoke from its extended slumber. High winds ripped though the forest yesterday, with gusts upwards of 50 mph in the evening. One particular gust almost knocked me off my feet at the cliffs! Warmer temps and direct sunlight penetrated the snow, eliminating it from the trees and some roofs. Around the lodge, around 8 inches of snow reside on the ground. A week ago today, a huge snow storm dumped copious amounts of snow on the mountain, and it is still ever present! Come catch a glimpse before it's too late! As always, happy trails and safe travels today... -Kemp "You can't get too much Winter in the Winter..." -Robert Frost "The pine stays green in Winter; wisdom in hardship..." -Norman Douglas
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Good morning from your local mountain hideaway,
Rays of sunshine are penetrating the thin curtains in my cabin, dust floating through the air seamlessly. We were blessed with crystal clear skies this morning, so I knew I had to suit up! A bitter but assuring 17 degrees outside, freezer-like temperatures didn't seem to faze. Currently, it is a balmy 21 outside, the winds have returned in full swing. Moderate gusts of 20-25 mph at the moment, with possible gusts upwards of 40 mph! If you plan on hiking in the higher elevations today, don't bring your kite! Temperatures are expected to warm up this afternoon, but the windchill is hovering around zero degrees at the overlooks. Layering in these conditions is crucial! You want to have a warm, yet breathable base layer, and some good exterior wind protection. Many folks make the mistake of "over-layering" when setting out on a hike. This can cause you to sweat through your essential base layer, which can ultimately result in discomfort, or even hypothermia in some cases. Fortunately, with warmer temperatures on the radar for this upcoming week, hiking the mountain will be a little more comfortable. Those planning on making the climb this morning, be sure to check the status of the park roads. Highway 441 is closed at the moment due to snow/ice. That being said, Alum Cave and the Boulevard are currently inaccessible. Please use your best judgement out there! Pack some extra layers just in case you sweat on the way up, and come check out the snow before it departs! Looking back on yesterday, the high temperature was a mere 28 degrees, with a charming low of 17. Shortly after the sunrise, thick clouds engulfed the mountain for the rest of the day. To my surprise, a fair amounts of hikers passed through the lodge yesterday! A lot of kind souls on the trail, so I didn't mind the company. Light snow fell for quite some time, starting just before lunch and ending late last night. The snow depth is just below nine inches, clocking in at 8.75" near the summit! After receiving another 1.5" yesterday, previous footprints have vanished! Common routes between favored buildings are no longer... Those who hiked up Alum Cave yesterday probably saw how perfectly the trail was carved out with foot traffic! So many folks have trampled over the snow, and it almost looks like someone brought their snow shovel and paved the way! I saw something similar leading up to Charlie's Bunion the other day. It made hiking a lot easier, but traction became an issue on certain sections! Hope you all have a wonderful day! Those exploring the park today, bring a windbreaker and a picture taker! 02/02/2020 "The sheer sound of a 6:15 alarm, an abrupt start to an arctic morning. Bare feet on the hardwood, I knew what was in store. Hoarfrost claimed just about every living and non-living thing in sight, and the wind was blowing confidently. Bitter cold aside, the sky was crystal clear! Morning rituals behind me, I began shuffling eagerly up the mountain. Pure white snow illuminated the forest path, headlamps and flashlights were unnecessary. Catching a glimpse of the horizon, I knew I was cutting it close! Rumbling up and over the summit, I made an executive decision to start jogging down the trail. My efforts would pay off, as a truly serene scene resided at the end of the trail. Timing was everything, feeling was nothing. All sounds ceased as my date with the sun began. I crawled to a heinous perch and waited patiently; camera in hand, admiring the land. Orange hues across the horizon grew dimmer and dimmer as the birth of a new day progressed. Familiar mountain silhouettes burned blue, living up to their name. Small fragments of the past that will live on forever, one must experience the lord's meticulous work to truly understand. Trying my absolute best to put someone in my shoes, it simply can't be accomplished..." -Kemp Good morning world and all who inhabit it,
Happy first day of February! Blessed to wake up happy and healthy once again! As always, the crows have been chatting outside my window for quite some time. This must be a prime "meet-and-great" location for them, as this has been going on for a few weeks. Glancing out my bedroom window, strands of clouds compliment the sky as the day begins to unravel. It is currently 27 degrees out there, with overcast skies and sheer silence. The snow is still ever present up here, with approximately 7 inches on the ground up top. Snow amounts vary around LeConte and the rest of the park. Some sloped areas near the top have drifts over a foot, while sun-exposed areas have but a few inches. A moody landscape lies beneath, while the clouds can't seem to make up their mind. One minute, the blue-hued valley floor is easily visible. Five minutes later, the clouds take charge once again. Weather can take a turn for the better/worse within a matter of minutes. Often times, I will report the current conditions early in the morning, only to be blindsided with sunshine or heavy cloud cover. Predictions are educated guesses, and sometimes things happen that aren't expected. That's one thing I enjoy about being up here; the uncertainty. The thought that something drastic could happen out of my control crosses my mind fairy often, so I'd say I am prepared for just about any extreme case of weather Mother Nature throws my way! Looking at the forecast today, temperatures should remain below 30 degrees, with light snow possible this afternoon. Highway 441 is currently open, so all trails leading to LeConte are accessible. Those planning on making the dreaded climb to the top, be aware. Copious amounts of snow reside on the upper sections of trail, with deep pockets covering up rocks, roots, and steps in some spots. Traction seems to fair well with all the snow, no ice to worry about on the exposed rocks. Once this stuff starts melting, that will be a different story... Alum Cave is pretty well packed from all the footprints, but all the other trails have seen considerably less traffic. With deep snow and a few downed trees on each trail, give yourself some extra time to get up and down the mountain. Looking back on yesterday, the high temperature was a comfortable 29 degrees, with an inspirational low of 23. After receiving .25" of snow yesterday, we now have approximately 7.25" around the lodge. With clear skies and higher temperatures on the radar for this week, we might have to say goodbye to the snow we know and love... 01/31/2020 "Shuffling aggressively through ancient snow, I slowly progressed down the Boulevard with eager intentions. Sawteeth in sight, I yearned for old growth and solitude. Miles passed, converging fast, I took my first step on the Smokies' Crest (the first of many). After a brief moment of gratitude, it was time to proceed to the next landmark. The well-known Icewater Springs and Charlie's Bunion were not on my radar! I was in search of bigger and better things, the rugged, remote Sawteeth range. Few day hikers ever dare to tackle this section without an overnight bag. Knowing me, I intended to conquer 24 wretched miles holding a mirrorless camera the entire time! Pain and anguish was no match, I was locked in. Step after step brought me closer to the heart of the forest, getting further and further from safety with every second. A truly hostile environment, a rugged jungle gym through my eyes..." -Kemp |
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
May 2024
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