December 07th, 2018

Good morning,

It’s currently 23 degrees and socked-in (cloudy) up top. We received no new precipitation. There is currently .5” inches of snow on the ground.

24 hour temperature range: High 30 Low 12

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Hoping for a morning like the last, I peaked out my bedroom window. A stone wall of mist guarded the mountain top. Though the news was a bit of a let-down, my morning rituals moved forward as always they do. I was soon smiling; the bathing coffee grounds filled the kitchen with rich dark chocolate tones. Peering out the back window it was apparent things were unlikely to clear up. I took a final sip of coffee, reached for my old canvas backpack and made for the door.

Sitting at Apollo Overlook, I stared blankly at the misty partition. Thoughts began to come; I catalog each idea in my notebook. Why should I do that? How can I do this? When would be the best time for those? I empty thoughts until my mind goes blank. Good.

I swing by the shelter on my way back to the Lodge. Two bundled ladies stand huddled over their food bag. We chat. Theres a handful of others still burrowed in their sleeping bags inside the shelter. I’m reminded of the challenges of winter camping…

I remember how good the pizza tastes afterward.

Onward,
Seth​

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“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
John Steinbeck