December 10th, 2016

12/10/2016

"The best men come from the hills. Let me refine that statement: the best men, like the best wines come from the hills." Edward Abbey

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 16 degrees. The overnight low was 7 degrees. It was 14 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation and there is no snow up top. There are a few select patches of ice on the way up, but it was relatively easy to dance around. I wouldn't consider Microspikes a necessity. As far as I can tell, the air quality is fine. I hiked up yesteday with no troubles and my lungs feel great. I could not see any sign of active fires on this side of the Park, although it is evident that the Chimney Tops lost some significant trees up top. Get out and enjoy this beautiful day!

17 Comments

Ryan in Green Bay

12/10/2016 10:53:52 am

Welcome back JP

Elaine

12/10/2016 10:59:44 am

Welcome home, JP. It got off to a rough start, but may the rest of your season be full of delight. Looking forward again to getting my daily inspiration.

Lynn

12/10/2016 11:21:32 am

Glad you're back at the Lodge. What trail did you climb?

12/10/2016 12:30:02 pm

Lynn,

I did Alum yesterday. It was wonderful!

Kevin

12/10/2016 11:29:57 am

JP. I was hoping you could give an overview of the fire impact along Alum Cave and any other trails.

12/10/2016 12:29:16 pm

Kevin,

I've only done Alum so far, but you can see no signs of fire there. I plan to do Boulevard today, but the remainder of LeConte's trails are still closed... The fire wasn't anywhere near the Boulevard, so I doubt that will have been effected...

Kevin

12/10/2016 01:10:45 pm

Thanks JP. Alum Cave was the one trail I haven't been able to hike since discovering LeConte Lodge. Thanks again and definitely glad y'all are safe.

Linda

12/10/2016 11:57:09 am

Welcome back, JP! So thankful you're safe and the lodge intact. Looking forward to your posts this winter...stay warm! Peace! :)

Mary Anne Rudolph

12/10/2016 12:05:49 pm

Happy Dance happy dance, both you and I are doing the happy dance. So glad to know our daily dose of LeConte magic is with us again. Thankful for you, thankful for our Park that will recover.

Steve

12/10/2016 02:07:46 pm

As you can, I would like to see some pictures of the burn.

Roger A,

12/11/2016 08:12:21 am

Try WBIR and WATE News out of Knoxville.

Sherleen

12/10/2016 02:36:56 pm

So happy you are back and I hope you are feeling better. As you can tell, many of US are thrilled you are back .I pray you stay warm,healthy and safe .Looking forward to my daily JP news.
:-)

tomk in SC

12/10/2016 04:59:40 pm

Where is that double edged top in yesterday's picture? I don't believe I have ever seen that.

John Simpson

12/11/2016 01:54:20 am

I'm also stumped by that picture. Glad you're back, JP!

phillip

12/11/2016 08:11:39 am

It's Chimney Tops.

12/11/2016 10:01:50 am

Tomk,

That is actually Chimney Tops! The photo is zoomed in as far as my iPhone 5se can go... taken from the ledges between Alum Cave and Gracie's Pulpit.

Judy

12/10/2016 05:24:18 pm

Stayed on the mountain November 2015 and was very concerned about your well being. So thankful the lodge was spared. It's such a beautiful place and I have hopes of returning. I was wondering if you hiked down or were air lifted off the mountain.

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December 10th, 2016

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