December 28th, 2018

Good Morning,

It’s currently 43 degrees and raining up top. We received 2.7” inches of precipitation last night. There is still 5” inches of wet saturated snow on the ground. The winds have calmed down quite a bit but the environment up top is still in an inhospitable state.

These are ideal conditions for hypothermia and I would not recommend venturing up the mountain.

24 hour temperature range | High: 43 Low: 33

--

Stepping out into the deluge, I couldn’t help but notice that the rain felt more saturated than usual. Waterlogged snow still covered much of the mountain. Slopping around camp I was grateful for a warm cabin. Too warm to freeze and too wet to ever be dry, Mount Le Conte was making a statement. The mountain didn't want visitors.

Settling into a warm cup of coffee, I daydreamed of my life in the mountains. Oh, how the mountains have shaped me. Who would I ever be without them? Grabbing my little black notebook, I steadied my pen. One line was all I wrote. All the best things in my life have come from the mountains. There was no need to pontificate. I set down my pen and took another sip of coffee.

Onward,
Seth

P.s - If you would like to see what the winds from yesterday felt like, you can view my short story on my Instagram account - Once you're on the page just click the Winds icon to see the 45 mph winds in actions.

​Have a great weekend and THANK YOU for commenting and following this daily blog. You are AWESOME! Cheers!!

---

All men should strive to learn before they die - what they are running from, and too, and why.  - James Thurber