High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

love is all there is.

12/31/2011

 
Picture
By taking off my shoes and digging my toes in the sand I made contact with the larger world - an exhilarating feeling that leads to equanimity. Certainly I was still by myself, so to speak - there were no other people around and there still are none - but in the midst of such a grand tableau it was impossible to give full and serious consideration to Albuquerque. All that is human melted with the sky and faded out beyond the mountains and I felt, as I feel - is it a paradox? - that a man can never find or need better companionship than that of himself. Edward Abbey
Morning,

It was another mild day yesterday. The high was 40. It was very sunny for the majority of the day. The low was 25. It was 26 and hazy at observation. It looks like we'll have a clear night for New Years' stargazing. I am hoping to make it at least to hiker midnight - 9pm!

I spent the majority of yesterday inside to recover from my 2 big days. It was a very leisurely day. I finished a book, took a nap and talked to a few dayhikers. Special thanks to those who packed me in some oranges, apples, bananas, peppers and a NY Times! It is greatly appreciated. There are few greater pleasures than being comfortably tired after a big hike and curling up with a newspaper.

Be careful on the slopes today. There was quite a bit of ice on my hike last night. As I've mentioned before, Kahtoola Microspikes are the most effective means of walking along the ice. You can find them at the NOC just outside the park. They are worth every penny, as having confidence in your traction is a great relief in these tricky conditions. It's so nice to be able to take in the views without worrying about every foothold.

everyone's life ends, no one ever completes it.

12/30/2011

 
Picture
The last tracks I saw until the AT.
Picture
Even a little snow at the Slide can be precarious.
Picture
Getting back on the AT has the same familial warmth as seeing an old friend.
Picture
This girl is in the process of wailing her sister with that snowball. Direct hit! I've missed people watching.
Morning,

It was a beautiful day yesterday. The high was 35 degrees. The low was 24 degrees. It was 34 and clear at observation. Today looks like it'll be another stunning day to be in the mountains. Be wary of black ice - there will surely be some on Alum.

I had some beautiful hiking over the last two days. I left the lodge at around 11:30 on Thursday. I would've caught an earlier start, but my friend Ryan was racing cyclocross in Belgium and I was fortunate enough to find the live feed. Watching bike races always gives me a beautiful shiver up my spine in remembrance of the pain of past races. It's a great boost of energy and helps to put things in perspective. Hiking is literally a walk in the park after watching those men suffer with their pride at stake.

I hiked out Boulevard. Even with 'only' 5 inches of snow, the drifts were pretty nasty. There were a few sections with snow that came over my gaiters. It was awesome fun. Breaking trail for the first time all winter is what I'd imagined this job would be like. Better late than never!

I made it to Newfound Gap around 2:30 and realized I wouldn't be able to make the Dome. I'll have to save it for another trip. I managed to get to Mt. Collins shelter just at dark. There were still some nice colors in the clouds as I got ready to crawl into my sleeping bag. I was up early in the morning and hiked back out to the Gap. The sun was special coming up through the red pines. Special thanks to Neil, Greg, Mark and Doug for helping me get myself and all my gear back from the mountain to the office to the trailhead yesterday.

I started back up Alum at 6. It was a perfect night for a hike. It was clear and cool. The stars felt like a pop up book. It was a great experience that is beyond my limited attempts with words or a camera to convey. You'll have to take my word for it.

Please remember that we are CLOSED for the season. If you are running out of daylight, turn around before you reach the top. One of the great virtues of mountain trekking is self-reliance. You only learn it by being prepared, knowing your limits and taking in stride the challenges that Mother Nature provides. If you expect others to bail you out, you're not just being a fool - but you're also missing out on the beautiful lessons that the mountains can teach you. Take responsibility for your actions.
Picture
Sun setting on the way to Mt. Collins.
Picture
Last bit of sun hitting the tree tops.
Picture
Sunrise over Mt. Collins shelter.
Picture
View of LeConte from Mt. Collins ridgeline.
Picture
Sun peeks through red pines.

our love is like a circle, let us go around one more time.

12/28/2011

 
Picture
they do not sweat and whine about their condition/ they do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins/ Whitman
Morning,

Winter is back! Yesterday morning was truly miserable. It was 33 and raining with high winds until about 10, then the temperature dropped enough for the precipitation to turn into SNOW! The high was 33. The low was 14 and it was 14 and clear at observation. There are about 4.5" up top. The trails are sure to be treacherous and icy, so be careful.

I stayed inside yesterday morning to avoid the hypothermia conditions. Once it turned to snow, I hiked down Alum Cave and met a few friends who will be watching the mountain for me for a few days. I hiked back up with them and we settled in for the evening. I'll be on a short backpacking trip for the next two nights, so the blog won't be updated until the afternoon of the 30th. Safe hiking!
Picture
Top photo: Greg navigates the snowy evergreens on the Alum Cave trail. Above: View from the back porch this morning.

i been falling so long it's like gravity is gone and i'm just floating.

12/27/2011

 
Picture
I would always have a man to be doing, and, as much as in him lies, to extend and spin out the offices of life; and then let death take me planting my cabbages, indifferent to him, and still less of my gardens not being finished. Michel de Montaigne
Morning,

We had another bizarrely warm day yesterday. The high crept up to 52. The overnight low was 23. It was 33 and raining at observation. Be very wary of hiking today. The rain is supposed to last all day and the still frozen ground is a recipe for black ice.

I hiked down Alum yesterday with a few friends. We finished atop High Point and it felt great getting out in such accommodating December weather. I spent the remainder of the day relaxing and taking care of a few chores in anticipation of the nasty weather today. Thanks to everyone who hiked me up oranges, apples, and chocolate turtles!
Picture
Top photo: Early morning colors. Above: Climbing High Top.

and it haunts me so, like a dream that's linked to all the stars above.

12/26/2011

 
Picture
I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion.
Morning,

We had another mild day yesterday. It is starting to feel like winter in the morning again. The high was 35. It was 27 and clear at observation. The overnight low was 17.

I went for a run down Alum yesterday and saw about 15 day hikers. Unfortunately, the beauty of my run was overshadowed by disgust. I picked up 5 water bottles along they way. As one of the day hikers commented, some people just don't deserve beauty. Thanks to everyone who isn't a lazy slob and can respect their surroundings. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.
Picture

love is a fate resigned.

12/25/2011

 
Picture
new ears for new music.
Morning,

It was another great day yesterday. The high was 39. The overnight low was 22. It was 32 and clear at observation. There may still be some black ice on the trails. I've had success in the past few days just taking my time on the icy sections. You may want to consider taking an ice traction device in addition to your normal layers, food & water, first aid kit, maps, etc. Also, don't forget the 11th essential - a Sunday New York Times and egg nog for your trusty caretaker!

I spent yesterday reading under one of the pine trees in front of the lodge. It was a wonderful day to hear the birds flit about. In between paragraphs, the red squirrels were begging me for food then proceeding to come up to me, 'boom' a bit, then scurry back up a tree and continue to express their displeasure. They weren't happy, despite the good grace of a mild winter.

i do my sunday dreamin', oh yeah.

12/24/2011

 
Picture
It is not the man who has too little who is poor, but the one who hankers after more. Seneca
Morning,

It was a beautiful day yesterday. The high was 35. It felt much warmer with the plentiful sunshine. The low was 25. It was 25 and clear at observation. Now that the temperatures are consistently freezing overnight, be wary of the black ice. The rocks may look like they are just wet, but they are glazed with a cunning foe that would like nothing more than to watch you topple.

I had a very nice hike down Alum yesterday morning. It was clear up top and I hiked down into the clouds. It was misty at the Caves. I sat their for half an hour and relaxed. As I hiked back up, the clearing clouds' mist was nearly forming a rainbow. It was playing beautiful games with the sun. I felt like John Muir in the Sierras.

I spent the afternoon taking care of chores. I also got out to sunset at Cliff Tops. I'm pretty sure I have enough pictures to fuel the blog until March. It was stunning.
Picture
Top photo: Sun breaking through the clouds on Alum Cave. Above: Islands in the sea of clouds.
Picture
Sunset near Cliff Tops.

everybody knows this is nowhere.

12/23/2011

 
Picture
Love flowers best in openness and freedom. Edward Abbey
Morning,

It was a grey day yesterday. The rain held off until evening for the most part. The high was 48. The low was 28 and it was 28 & drizzling at observation. There was 1.1" of rain. There's some tricky black ice up top, so consider packing an ice traction device.

I spent yesterday taking care of a few projects around camp. I saw quite a few dayhikers for such a nasty day. Please remember to pack raingear, headlamps or flashlights (in case the climb takes longer than you're expecting), plenty of layers, food and water. I carry these items on every day hike. It seems silly to leave for a short hike on a beautiful day with all this gear, but the weather changes awfully quick up here. Be prepared.

I would invite you back to the invention of fire.

12/22/2011

 
Picture
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you do not have; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for. Epicurus
Morning,

It was a mild, rainy day yesterday. The high was 47. It rained consistently from about 10-noon, then on and off for the remainder of the day. There was .74" of rain. The low was 38. It was 44 and clear at observation. It sounds like there's a good chance for PM showers, so be prepared.

I had a nice hike in the rain down Alum. My trusty umbrella kept me dry for the trip. I got some lunch in town (Thanks for the early Christmas gift, Chris & Allyson!) and then hiked back up Rainbow Falls. The rain just about quit, which made for a warm hike up. I can't believe that I was able to hike up the tallest peak east of the Mississippi in shorts and a t-shirt. A day before winter solstice, no less! It is officially unusually warm. I'll be indoors reading, finishing some projects and taking a well-earned zero day.

don't hold on to me when there's nothing to hold.

12/21/2011

 
Picture
The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood. His intercourse with heaven and earth, becomes part of his daily food. In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows. Nature says,--he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Morning,

It was another mild day yesterday. The high was 42. The low was 37. It was 42 and drizzling at observation. There was .17" of rain yesterday, most coming in the evening.

It looks like there will be thunderstorms today, so be cautious on the upper slopes. I've heard reports that the ice at elevations higher than Alum Cave is particularly treacherous. It's also getting dark around 5:30 up here, so if you're not at the summit by 3 please turn back. Be sure to pack rain gear, layers, ice traction and a headlamp.

I went for a run yesterday, then spent the rest of the day reading. I'm really hoping this projected spell of grey days breaks and we get some snow.
<<Previous
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    For information regarding GSMNP's new paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    Online Store

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture