December 14th, 2018

Good morning,

It’s currently 34 degrees and cloudy with high winds. Mt. LeConte is in a mood. We still have 5” inches of snow on the ground, but that is changing rapidly.

24 hour temperature range: High 41 Low 30

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The wind screamed like a banshee. Staring out my single pane loft window, I watched the forest ebb and flow like an upset ocean. What ice remained on the trees flung like bullets against the cedar board & batten. I was under attack. Checking my watch, I couldn’t delay any longer - I geared up and joined the fray.

The snow was melting fast. The compacted footpaths had become a thick sheet of ice. Skating toward the kitchen, the wind flanked me on the left - pushing me down the hill. Bracing for impact, my hand found the wood railing. I pressed on. Stomping into the kitchen, I dropped my backpack and lit the kerosene lanterns. My eyes drifted toward a jar filled with fresh ground coffee - ammunition.

Huddled over my mug, I made a loop around camp. The wind continued to push and pull in every direction. I took cover under the deck of the main office. Each sip of coffee left me better calibrated.  With weather like this, reinforcements were unlikely. I laughed inside - the coffee was loading up my imagination. I looked down at the ceramic mug - one shot left…

Outnumbered, I called in the retreat.

Onward,
Seth

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"When the wind is blowing and the sleet or rain is driving against the dark windows, I love to sit by the fire, thinking of what I have read in books of voyage and travel."

Charles Dickens