High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

December 22nd, 2015

12/22/2015

6 Comments

 
Picture
True solace is finding none, which is to say, it is everywhere. Gretel Ehrlich

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, blustery morning up top. The high yesterday reached 44 degrees. The overnight 'low' was 34 degrees. It was 44 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received .37" of rain yesterday and there is no snow remaining up top. There is very little ice remaining on the trails... I had a relatively easy time coming up Alum in my trail runners yesterday with no traction. Yesterday was the busiest weekday I've seen in the Park all season, get out and enjoy it!

I had a wonderful time coming up yesterday afternoon. There is really nothing like this extended fall in the Park - it's just warm enough to wear running shorts and a t-shirt if you're moving consistently and the wet woods give off a new aroma with seemingly every step. With the warmers temperatures, there's no real risk of the immediate discomfort that comes with real winter conditions. While I miss the newness that a fresh coat of snow brings, there is no shortage of wonders if you keep your eyes open. There were Peregrines flying at Cliff Tops (I've only seen them on warm February days in the past)... and everyone was too distracted by their cell phones and companions to look up. I wanted to make a public service announcement and tell them that the fastest bird in North America was screaming 50 feet above their heads, but to each their own. The clouds and hemlocks kept me company for the rest of my hike.

Picture
RIP Kayah.

In more somber news, two children lost their mother and the wilderness lost a great friend this week. Kayah fought for the places we love and if you have the means, I'd appreciate it if you folks would take a look at this website and make a contribution for Kayah's kids Caleb and River. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

6 Comments
tgb link
12/22/2015 09:52:44 am

J.P.I am so sorry about Kayah and at Christmas makes it twice as bad.Was she a hiker? She is real cute and we will keep her family in our prayers.I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Reply
Mary Anne
12/22/2015 10:19:40 am

So sorry about your friend Kayah (who was a climber I saw elsewhere). And, I agree about folks with stupid devices (or perhaps it is stupid folks with devices). Life is right here in front of your face, not on your device. I feel the same way sometimes when I am taking photos with my camera. Stop and look out and up and behind you, beauty is indeed all around us. Mindful, be mindful of each day we are given.

Reply
norman
12/22/2015 02:37:58 pm

I have to agree with you about Kayah and especially (stupid devices or the 'other'). My Mother always said, just because every body else is doing it does not mean you have too! Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all.

Reply
Tenderfoot
12/22/2015 12:33:54 pm

I too am so sorry about your friend Kayah passing J.P.! Exceptionally difficult at this time of the year for the family. I will have them in my prayers.

Reply
doug y link
12/22/2015 02:19:18 pm

I find cell phones to be an irritant when I hear them out on a trail, interrupting the tranquility of the moment. Some serve also as decent cameras, but it is nonetheless not what I like to see or hear when out enjoying a peaceful hike. As Mary Anne so correctly stated above, stop and look around !

Reply
Scott
12/22/2015 03:59:58 pm

JP,
thought I would share this with everyone if it's OK. I did not know her but it saddens me greatly

http://www.rockandice.com/lates-news/north-carolina-climber-dies-in-50-foot-fall

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    Online Store

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture