 Good Morning, It’s currently 47 degrees and socked-in up top with gale force winds. Trace amounts of snow are still lingering around the mountain. 24 hour temperature range | High: 47 Low: 37 7-Day Forecast | Click Here -- The clarity was gone; the lights down in the valley remained hidden behind a wall of slate colored fog. I wasn’t upset. Last night’s clarity still lingered happily on my heart. The winds growled aggressively through camp. I laughed at how excited Mount Le Conte was for the New Year. Sipping coffee, I stood quietly on the porch and watched the world shake and wave. I waved back and asked the trees to hold still for a picture. They were too excited; I couldn’t blame them. With the New Year on the forefront I found myself getting excited too. Tomorrow would be just another day, but it would be another day on Mount Le Conte - another day in a windblown paradise. Onward, Seth  “When’s the best time to go fishing?” “When you can.” Al
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 Good Morning, It’s currently 38 degrees and socked-in up top. We received trace amounts of precipitation last night. Trace amounts of snow are still lingering around the mountain. 24 hour temperature range | High: 43 Low: 34 -- The night sky shimmered hazily through the sheet of clouds. I attempted to be the moon, illuminating the heavens for no reason at all. The cityscape assisted more than my flashlight, creating a soft warm glow. It was a beautiful moment - one you could feel just as much as see. The aroma of fresh ground coffee brought me back to the here and now. Outside the mountain was buried in a cloud; I couldn’t complain with the sentiment. I took a long sip of coffee… Excited for fresh baked shortbread cookies and a proper Mount Le Conte snooze. Onward, Seth Rule #1 - Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Good Morning, It’s currently 36 degrees and partly cloud with an inversion up top. We received .72” inches of precipitation yesterday. There are still trace amounts of snow on the ground. Expect some ice on the trails if you're coming up top today. 24 hour temperature range | High: 45 Low: 35 7-day Forecast | Click Here -- Suddenly the weather changed its mind. Half of the clouds ascended toward heaven; the others decided to dwell down in the valley. In the middle, Mount Le Conte smiled happily with clear skies. Grinning, I watched as yesterday’s cumulus clouds transformed into wispy tails high in the atmosphere. The last the of the evening stars twinkled good morning as they disappeared for the day. Wind growled in the distance - the mountain worked in my defense, leaving Apollo Overlook quiet and calm. What else would the mountain show me this year? There wasn’t much time; yet, I had all the time in the world… Onward, Seth  If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years how man would marvel and adore.
Ralph Waldo Emerson  Good Morning, It’s currently 43 degrees and raining up top. We received 2.7” inches of precipitation last night. There is still 5” inches of wet saturated snow on the ground. The winds have calmed down quite a bit but the environment up top is still in an inhospitable state. These are ideal conditions for hypothermia and I would not recommend venturing up the mountain. 24 hour temperature range | High: 43 Low: 33 -- Stepping out into the deluge, I couldn’t help but notice that the rain felt more saturated than usual. Waterlogged snow still covered much of the mountain. Slopping around camp I was grateful for a warm cabin. Too warm to freeze and too wet to ever be dry, Mount Le Conte was making a statement. The mountain didn't want visitors. Settling into a warm cup of coffee, I daydreamed of my life in the mountains. Oh, how the mountains have shaped me. Who would I ever be without them? Grabbing my little black notebook, I steadied my pen. One line was all I wrote. All the best things in my life have come from the mountains. There was no need to pontificate. I set down my pen and took another sip of coffee. Onward, Seth P.s - If you would like to see what the winds from yesterday felt like, you can view my short story on my Instagram account - Once you're on the page just click the Winds icon to see the 45 mph winds in actions. Have a great weekend and THANK YOU for commenting and following this daily blog. You are AWESOME! Cheers!!  All men should strive to learn before they die - what they are running from, and too, and why. - James Thurber
 Good Morning, It’s currently 33 degrees - socked in with strong winds around 30-40 mph - gust even higher. We still have 12” inches of snow on the ground. Alum Cave Trail turned into a mud and slush fest yesterday. With the current winds and pending rain, I wouldn’t recommend hiking in these conditions.. 24 hour temperature range | High: 44 Low: 28 -- Gale force winds pressed hard against Mount LeConte. My cabin rocked back and forth like a stool missing a leg. I laughed. From blue bird day to being tumbled in a washing machine. The mountain had its moods. Geared up, I made for the kitchen. Staring out the window, I wondered if it was just me or did hot drink always taste better in unfavorable conditions? Sipping the black coffee and listening to the wind, I couldn’t help but imagine the big bad wolf trying to blow down the third little pig’s LeConte Lodge home. He’s huffing and puffing, but to no avail. Will the story hold true? I can only smile...and hope. Onward, Seth  "Perhaps in time the so-called Dark Ages will be thought of as including our own."
G.C Lichtenberg  Good Morning, It’s currently 26 degrees and clear up top. There is still over a foot of snow in the higher elevations on Mt. LeConte. Plan ahead for snow and ice on the trails if you're coming up top. 24 hour temperature range | High: 34 Low: 26 -- The taste of coffee lingered on my breath; I walked slowly up the frozen steps on main thoroughfare. My body was tired, my mind hazy. For the first time this winter I had properly tired myself. Smiling at the accomplishment, I continued up the trail - through Narnia. Yesterday’s speckled sky had faded away. A thick coat of travel haze filled the valleys below. The mountains were changing, but aren’t we all? I soaked in the sunrise, took a deep breath, and traveling back down the trail…lost in thought. Onward, Seth  "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes." Marcel Proust (1871-1922)  Merry Christmas, It’s currently 29 degrees and partly cloudy up top. There is still over a foot of snow in the higher elevations on Mt. LeConte. 24 hour temperature range | High: 29 Low: 11 *According to radio conversations - Hwy 441 is open. -- The kitchen glowed a warm flame orange. With a strong cup of coffee, I sat quietly on an old wooden stool. Taking a sip from the mug, I stared out toward the sky. What would today bring? Everything in nature seemed as it was yesterday. What was the difference? Working the thought over in my head, I grabbed my camera and disappeared into the morning grey. Sauntering up the trail, I picked the thought back up. I marveled, first, at this beautiful opportunity I had to be here, now, in the forest. What better forum to ponder the notions nestled deep in the floorboards of the mind? Holding firmly to the thought, I couldn’t help but notice the calm settling over the mountain. Scarlet ribbons of light stole my attention as they poked through the spruce. My grip loosened, now was all that mattered. A tiny seam remained unstitched on the horizon. I watched as the blanket of clouds transformed into an ocean of color. The moment the light touched the snow at my feet, the feeling I was looking for came; the feeling of Christmas arrived. To be present was the greatest gift. Onward, Seth  “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.”
Edna Ferber Good morning, It’s currently 12 degrees and clear up top. We received .2” inches of precipitation and trace amounts of new snow last night, but the top of the mountain still has a foot of snow. These cold temperatures have left the mountain icy in spots with no snow. Plan for longer travel times if you are attempting to hike up today. 24 hour temperature range | High: 35 Low: 12 *US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice. Talk on the radio is saying around Noon for the road (Hwy 441) to open. This isn’t 100% accurate - could be before; could be later. -- The frigid temperatures gave the mountain a satisfying crunch. I traveled merrily toward a gurgling cauldron of inverted clouds. Standing on the overlook, I watched as pumpkin tones burst free from the horizon. The sun pushed closer toward the heavens, softening the deep pre-dawn brush strokes. Grapefruit hues reflected off a cloud high in the sky. I closed my eyes - the cold bite of winter reminded me that I wasn’t dreaming. Looking over my shoulder, a nearly full moon rest on the tree tops. My smile deepened as thoughts drifted between sunrise, the moon, and ski season in Tennessee. Onward, Seth  “Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.” - John Wooden
 Good morning, It’s currently 25 degrees and clear up top. We received no new snow, but the top of the mountain still has 15” inches of snow. 24 hour temperature range | High: 31 Low: 15 *US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice. Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr -- Breaking trail in the pre-dawn light, I couldn’t help but feel the magic of the mountain - the magic only found on Mt. LeConte. Traveling up the trail was a slow and methodical task; the light at the end of the tunnel lured me further up the trail. The same smile from yesterday was back with rising sun. Taking a sip of coffee, I watched as the dark brew’s warm chocolate notes drifted toward the horizon. My mind wandered to today’s agenda. After post-holing down the mountain, I’ll sniff out an omelet before exploring the aisles at Publix. This short tour back to the ‘real-world’ should have me ready for another Christmas tucked away in the high country. Onward, Seth  “I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,
I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.” Walt Whitman  Good morning, It’s currently 15 degrees and clear up top. There is a beautiful inversion to go with the 16” inches of new snow we received yesterday. 24 hour temperature range | High: 31 Low: 15 *US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice. Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr -- Each step sunk deeper than the one before. The proud snow drifts balanced happily above my knees; I couldn’t help but smile at the early Christmas present. Kicking fresh steps into the powder, I progressed wide-eyed toward Apollo Overlook. Staring out, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. The world was showing me its best. Did mother nature know? Surely. I closed my eyes and imagined the moment with those I no longer get an opportunity to share and discover the world with. Opening my eyes, the sun continued the daily journey across the southern sky. Not ready to come back to reality, I continued heavily up the untouched path… …quietly toward Myrtle Point. Onward, Seth  “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
Helen Keller |
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
February 2023
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