December 23rd, 2018

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Good morning,

It’s currently 25 degrees and clear up top. We received no new snow, but the top of the mountain still has 15” inches of snow.

24 hour temperature range | High: 31 Low: 15

*US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice.

Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr

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Breaking trail in the pre-dawn light, I couldn’t help but feel the magic of the mountain - the magic only found on Mt. LeConte. Traveling up the trail was a slow and methodical task; the light at the end of the tunnel lured me further up the trail. The same smile from yesterday was back with rising sun.

Taking a sip of coffee, I watched as the dark brew’s warm chocolate notes drifted toward the horizon. My mind wandered to today’s agenda. After post-holing down the mountain, I’ll sniff out an omelet before exploring the aisles at Publix. This short tour back to the ‘real-world’ should have me ready for another Christmas tucked away in the high country.

Onward,
Seth

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“I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,
I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.”
​
Walt Whitman