Bobcat tracks, 1. Human tracks, 0.

11/30/2011

I love the way the rhododendrons hang over your head in the ice.

It is officially cold. We had a low of 17 last night. It only crept up to 22 yesterday. It was 20 and cloudy at observation this morning. We got another 1.2" of snow, bringing us to a total of about 2 inches. It sounds like it will be partly sunny today, but still bitte

I hiked out the Boulevard trail yesterday. It was already dangerous negotiating the Slide. I followed bobkitten tracks for the first half of the hike. I'm putting it out there - all I want for Christmas is a bobkitten sighting!

I haven't seen another person in two days. This is a new experience! I finished David Brill's 'As Far as the Eye Can See' yesterday. New hike and new book today!

Tony Ga

11/29/2011 11:50:57 pm

JP, I live near Springer in Dawson County. Nice pic. Happy trails!

Devin R.

11/30/2011 12:08:55 am

I imagine all of this alone time with your thoughts is going be lead to some interested conversation and insight with yourself. On one hand I envy you, on the other I wonder how long I could go without seeing another soul.

Enjoy the Peace. And I hope you get to see your bobcat! We'll be up there in about 12 days.

Tom D

11/30/2011 12:14:45 am

I'm sitting at my desk eating oatmeal and watching the cloud lift that is over LeConte.The mountain is beautiful this morning.Enjoy your peace and solitude.

Devin R

11/30/2011 12:18:37 am

@Tom - Jealous of the view from your desk...I see Palm Trees and lots of flat land. On a clear day I can see the one of the tallest land features in Tampa Bay that is the Landfill (about 80ft or so). =/

Ed G

11/30/2011 12:20:42 am

The longest I think most caretakers go is about a week alone. I love being on that mountain. It's big. Must be beautifully quiet up there. Will be up there in mid-January.

Claudette

11/30/2011 01:03:23 am

Beautiful Picture! Enjoy your day.

Doug

11/30/2011 01:22:42 am

JP,

Are you reading the books up there in the common room, hauling them up yourself or using an e-reader?

Enjoy the peace and quiet!

Darwin R

11/30/2011 02:30:34 am

I have been watching the website for a couple of years now and was wondering, if you put out some bird seed would there be birds up there in the winter months, the wife and i are avid birdwatchers and get a thrill out of spoting a new one for the list.

Monica

11/30/2011 02:42:53 am

JP,

We are planning on hiking up on Friday - maybe we will see you then. I can't wait to see the beauty of the mountain in the winter. We were there several years ago after a big snow and it is amazing!

Robin

11/30/2011 02:47:23 am

I find solitude is not for everyone but for those who relish it. I can think of no where else to be but up on the mountain enjoying the peace & awe of God's wonderful creation, especially in the snow. You can see by the tracks the evidence that you were sharing space with a beautiful unique creature not heard or seen but none the less present @ some point. I envy you and hope you enjoy your quiet but @ the same time adventureous moments away from the hustle & bustle of every day routine. Curl up with a good book and stay safe & toasty. Maybe you'll see that bobcat in all his glory enjoying the time out & about too. Have a blessed holiday season!

Missy Whitt

11/30/2011 03:14:21 am

JP, Glad that you are all settled in and enjoying the mtn!! I know Henry and Tim passed along my message to you, you just let me know if you need anything. Abt the bobkitty tracks, we saw some in the Elkmont area this past summer - it was exciting! Still havent seen the little fella yet though. I plan on dayhiking up around the 16th of Dec, I will get in touch with you for sure and see if you need anything from town. take care and stay warm!!

sandee link

11/30/2011 03:47:07 am

bobkitten? yikes....that theres a bobcat fella! lol I'd be running the other way personally, but then I am girly :) I hope you get a picture to share of him when you do see one though, I'll let you do that part for me, lol

Dorothy

11/30/2011 03:56:53 am

Love bobcats! Enjoy your solitude!!

James

11/30/2011 03:57:17 am

JP when we came down Boulevard the day after halloween after our stay we saw Bobcat tracks also for a long way! so keep wathcing maye you will catch him looking at you, they tend to just sit still and watch nearby! we have lots of them in the Cohutta wilderness in Ga. Hope to meet you this winter!!

Debi link

11/30/2011 05:00:29 am

All I can say is Thank god you like to read. Its 57 in the sun in Michigan today and we have all grass and no snow. After Christmas shopping at Walmart and having too many people around me, I'd trade you places for a few days. Well, look at it this way, you have your Mt.Leconte followers to talk to. You make our day kiddo, Enjoy!!!!

Pearl

11/30/2011 05:14:43 am

Rod

11/30/2011 05:19:42 am

Ditto everything robin said. I'd love to have that job, along with it's solitude from other humans. There is so much that can keep you occupied, it's just a whole different kind of stuff.

Pearl link

11/30/2011 05:19:59 am

Brr...that looks cold!! Very pretty though.
We got our first dusting of snow overnight.
Hope you get your Christmas wish.

Woody

11/30/2011 05:50:30 am

Are you sure it was bobcat tracks? Count the toes. The conditions were perfect for seeing Three-toed Squisher tracks as I did in the winter of 1973-74. I would love to see the Three-toed Squisher in the flesh (fur).

Madge Susong

11/30/2011 05:57:45 am

Enjoying the mountain winter vicariously through the daily picture and your posting. Thanks so very much.

Adam Beal

11/30/2011 06:58:37 am

I will be up there tomorrow with a friend JP doing some volunteer work for the NPS at West Point helping to measure 6k peak heights. We will try and stop by and say hi.

Sherry L. Jennette

11/30/2011 07:53:50 am

Hey John. Good talking to you yesterday. Glad you enjoyed the hike. Like I said, be careful out there by yourself. I hope you get to actually see the kitten too. How awesome will that be. Enjoy your new book. At this rate you will have read everything on the mountain. I look forward to meeting you. And remember to try the popasan chair thing. You'll love it. Haha.

Jerry

11/30/2011 08:22:33 am

Darwin R- I doubt the Nation Park service would allow them to put out any type of seed for the birds for fear that it might sprout and some new invasive species would take over the park.

Dar

11/30/2011 09:44:04 am

AHHHHH i hadn't even thought of the "don't feed the wild life" thing. and your probly right, that wouldn't be a good idea. rember the cudzu in the south.

Sorry

karen sanders

11/30/2011 12:50:37 pm

Looking forward to hearing from you this winter. I hope I can make it up soon!

Renee Ryan

11/30/2011 02:00:19 pm

JP..that picture is soooo awesome!! I love it:) I envy you so much being able to be up there all winter and having 2 whole days all to yourself in those beautiful mountains.I can think of no other place I would rather be..Please keep sharing your photos and your experiences with all of us.I for one look forward to visiting your site everyday.

12/1/2011 12:45:30 am

Doug,
The llamas were kind enough to haul them up for me. I am only just now warming to the idea of a kindle. I love the feeling of a book, but it's very practical for my lifestyle. Maybe my christmas gift to myself!
Darwin,
In Witherspoon's book about this job in the 70's, he talks about using peanut butter to bait chickadees. They were also allowed to have kittens and encountered far more bear problems than we have now. Things have changed.

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