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February 03rd, 2013

2/3/2013

 
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compare, winter, leconte lodge, tn.
_Morning y'all,

It's a perfect day up top. The mountain is still shrouded in a cloud and there are some flurries coming down. The high yesterday reached 24 degrees. The low was 13 degrees. It was 17 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received 2 inches of new snow, bringing our total to 8 inches. The drifts are a bit higher near the lodge. It sounds as though the roads are going to be closed for a bit. Even if they do open up, be sure to pack a headlamp and cure yourself of summit fever! The trails are SO much harder than usual, I am walking at about half my pace.  Carry food within hands' reach and extra layers/socks to change into when you're feeling uncomfortable. Most importantly, use the greatest tool of all: your brain. Turn around when you're tired, preferably 2 hours before sunset. Be a hero some other day, this is dying weather.

It is FINALLY the winter wonderland up here that I'd been dreaming of for ages. More specifically, ever since I was clearing waterbars on a sweltering July day on Vermont's Long Trail... I thought about how idyllic my winter would be, painting the fine plumes of snow piled high around the lodge in my mind's eye (that would soon be my life!) and using that fluffy snowscape to run some much needed cool through my veins, all the better to keep excuses, ennui, the devil of laziness at bay. I would rest, read books, make tea, go into a fine torpor in the winter! July is for work!
Picture
contrast, summer, little rock pond, vt.
_
As we all know, life is cyclical. Somehow in these halcyon days I'm already envisioning some unwieldy loads of bark mulch, bloody blisters on my hands from swinging my axe and chatting with Vermont's lovely hiking populace. Life is so good, I hardly know how to express it. My fingers tingle with anticipation... for both today and tomorrow.

Enjoy the Super Bowl... and the Puppy Bowl :)
Mary f
2/3/2013 12:41:55 am

Wow, JP, glad your wish came true! Ours happened the day you returned to us, Happy Day!!

Terry in Wears Valley
2/3/2013 12:47:00 am

Loving that you have your "voice" back JP., I so missed your stores and insights....Also happy that you are enjoying the beauty of the mountain...Wish we could be there but alas, work requires our presence in the lower elevations....But like your vantage point, ours is also receiving a covering of silent snowflakes. Stay safe and warm...Great advice to the adventuresome...Think I'll watch it snow from my sofa today!

Ronnie TN
2/3/2013 12:49:54 am

Well said JP and glad you seeing snow on the Mtn. alsogetting plenty here in the valley.When you venture out in the cold be careful like you just said this is dying weather. I had planned to summit this weekend but used my brain. LOL


Barbara C.
2/3/2013 01:01:38 am

JP, remember a few months back I told you, you would be wishing you didn't have so much snow and I am afraid you will have more to come. This winter is a tuff one. I am so glad to read your blog every day. I missed you so when you were gone. After this winter I hope you come back, it just wouldn't be the same without you. Take care of the knee.

Joey Fr Waterloo
2/3/2013 01:05:03 am

Beautiful pictures, both the pictures and the words. I've only been on top in the Junes of years past, quite a contrast. Excellent advice on the use of the brain, sometimes I offer such platry evidence of its use.

Joey Ft Waterloo
2/3/2013 01:10:08 am

Did I just make up a new word? platry = paltry in it's most obvious form. :)

ElConquistador
2/3/2013 01:14:45 am

No predictions, JP??!!
Ha ha. Along with everyone else, glad you're back up and writing. Enjoy the snow this morning. We're getting it too down below you.

JP
2/3/2013 02:22:43 am

9ers 38, Ravens 10. More importantly, the puppies will be ADORABLE. Wish there was a snow leopard bowl...

Mamaw B
2/3/2013 01:33:19 am

The Little Rock Pond photo brings back good memories because that is where I met you. Enjoyed sitting by the pond drinking your coffee ahh what a morning. Snowing here in Ktown this morning. Enjoy your reports now. The site was boreing without your prose. Will be up soon to return your book. Love ya.

JP
2/3/2013 02:23:39 am

Love you too Mamaw! Can't wait to see ya again!

Vicki T
2/3/2013 01:35:09 am

JP love the post and the beautiful pics. I am so excited that you got you long awaited snow falls this year! I am hoping to hike to the bluffs Wednesday if the weather permits. Stay warm and be safe. HAPPY TRAILS

Sandra
2/3/2013 01:38:33 am

What a gorgeous white carpet you have on the mountain! I'm glad you're getting the weather you have longed for. Thanks for sharing the view!

jenny
2/3/2013 02:05:40 am

Thank you, JP, for the gift of your words. I don't always comment but I always read them and I always appreciate you. Have a great day and enjoy the snow!!

Brant
2/3/2013 04:07:48 am

Thanks for the puppy bowl reminder.. I'm on my way to DVR it as soon as I get off of here! I want to add my voice to the hundreds to say we're glad your muses have returned... and ENJOY THE SNOW!!!

Bill Drummy
2/3/2013 06:33:31 am

Great attitude John Paul. We are heading to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine in the Airstream in July...camping reservations in Blackwoods campground in Acadia National Park

JP
2/3/2013 11:22:51 am

Bill!
I appreciate the comment! Keep in touch, I'll be in Vermont in July! I'd love to see you guys!

bntn
2/3/2013 08:05:31 am

Beautiful bd

bob
2/3/2013 09:21:48 am

mmm torpor.. good word. those stairs look like they'd be great to jump down wearing down booties. watch yo' step

Madge @ The View From Right Here link
2/3/2013 09:29:53 am

Hi, your photography is lovely, surrounded in wintry scenes... I'm your newest rss subscriber.

Joe
2/3/2013 12:19:00 pm

Isn't it great! All is right with the world now that JP is back and in good form.

laurelwood
2/3/2013 01:03:43 pm

So glad you are back, JP. I check this blog almost daily but seldom comment. It just wasn't the same without your wonderful descriptions of life on the mountain. I was so happy when I read the blog on Feb 1st when you came back to us. Stay warm and hope your knee continues to heal. Glad you have all that beautiful snow to enjoy.

Debi
2/3/2013 08:07:22 pm

Love the stairs, no footprints on them. Were in the dead of winter as I type this morn its 18 degrees in Michigan. Thank God I have a lap top.

Richard
2/5/2013 02:30:15 am

Keep the posts coming. I was at Little Rock Pond last October and expect to sleep on Leconte in May, then back to Vt in the summer. Hopefully both will be a little warmer than they are right now!

Kim
2/12/2013 12:01:37 am

Hey JP!! I love hearing you write about the contrast between summer in VT and where you are now. It is fun to think about what lies ahead when you are in the middle of doing something you love, and then to realize that when it's over, you STILL get to do something you love!! Hugs & warm stuff... Kim :)


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