December 30, 2017

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​Good evening,
 
It’s currently 20 degrees outside. The high yesterday was 32 degrees, with an overnight low of 14. We still have snow on the ground, with plenty of ice on the trail up top.
 
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After a long night, I woke. My body preferred to stay where it was, but I knew the sun would soon arrive. I hadn’t brewed coffee in over a week. The Sumatra roast gave me the boost I was looking for. Caffeinated, I happily made moves for sunrise.
 
Sunrise without a doubt, spoke for itself. Like the Marshall Tucker song – Fire on the Mountain, the world burned with beauty. Beyond satisfied, I made for the lodge.
 
~
 
As you can tell, my morning routine took a different direction after sunrise. I forewent the blog, made a broccoli omelet, and launched out the door on a mountain loop with another audacious friend. From the lodge, we traversed the Boulevard Trail to the Appalachian Trail. Running Southbound, we bolted down to Newfound Gap. From there, our route descended 441 to the Alum Cave Trailhead. Properly sore, we commenced the mental battle back to Mount Le Conte.
 
Physically spent, I delayed the blog further. Rest and recovery became a priority. I would get the blog out at some point…
 
...with an over-filled bowl of jambalaya, the urge to write finally arrived.
 
Onward,
Seth

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“The challenge of the unknown future is so much more exciting than the stories of the accomplished past.”  - Simon Sinek