February 07th, 2013

2/7/2013

Morning y'all,

The mountain is a bit overcast at the moment. The high yesterday reached 36 degrees. The low was 23 degrees. It was 32 degrees and overcast at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation. With the clear skies and big sun we received yesterday afternoon, we're down to about 4 inches of snow up top. It looks as though we'll have a few more beautiful days on the horizon. There is still plenty of snow on Alum Cave, so be sure to wear gaiters and pack an extra pair of socks for the hike down. Rainbow is still the best bet for an 'easy' hike to the lodge, as the extra blowdowns and knee deep snow on Alum are more challenging than Rainbow's extra mile of walking.

It's always rewarding to catch both sunrise and sunset up here. Nature is perpetually renewing herself for my fortunate eyes. The sunset last night was fantastic. There was a bit of cloud cover to the west, which helped to obscure the sun and create a few marvelous effects as it tried to find it's way through, a series of luminescent snakes slithering through the empyrean cosmos. Shades of yellow, orange, pink and purple dance among the clouds. All you can do is sigh and vow to do it all again tomorrow. The sunrise was clear as a bell. What was lacking in memorable effects from unique cloud formations was more than compensated for by that first splash of golden light. I cherish the walk back from Apollo Overlook, admiring the way that the light starts to creep it's way up the noble firs and spruces. They look as thrilled to greet the day as I do.

Renate

2/7/2013 12:40:45 am

Good morning JP! Your pictures are breathtaking , I enjoy reading your blog every day. I feel as I am there enjoying the beauty of the mountains with you! THANK YOU for all you do! Enjoy your day...

Pam

2/7/2013 12:52:04 am

Always a wonderful way to kick start my day with a visit to my favorite site! Awesome pics. Enjoy the warmer temps. I'm predicting one more big snow for you!! No idea why other than you want snow!!

tesblg

2/7/2013 01:07:09 am

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and there is nothing hid from its heat.

Steve D

2/7/2013 03:00:15 am

Amen!

tnbs

2/7/2013 01:21:59 am

lovebd

hrtn

2/7/2013 07:16:36 am

lovingb

Michael

2/7/2013 02:31:59 am

Hate to sound dumb here (been to the park many times but never summited LeConte) - but is there an actual "Alum Cave" on Alum Cave Trail? I'm assuming so -- but wasn't sure how big/deep/etc it might be.

2/7/2013 02:43:45 am

Michael-No, it is not an actual cave, it is a huge overhanging cliff or bluff as it is also called, at about 2.3 miles up the trail. If you go to hikinginthesmokys.com and look up Alum Cave Trail, it gives good details on that. I hope you get a chance to summit to the Lodge someday, you will not regret it!

elktonbrant

2/7/2013 03:11:12 am

I do wish the park would do a better job of explaining that it isn't an actual cave.

I can think of at least half a dozen times (and we've only hiked Alum about 20 times) when my wife and I have been starting or finishing a hike to the Lodge and have come across tourists wanting to know "how close the cave is". (By tourists, I mean people wearing jeans and tennis shoes/ cheap flip flops and carrying no provisions who expect to walk for 5 minutes into the woods and see something.) We always explain that no, there isn't a cave, and it's a 2 plus mile walk mostly uphill over lots of rocks and terrain not meant for flip flops. In most cases, they turn around and head back to the car.

Michael, I do agree w/ Steve that you need to get to the top of the Mother Mountain. It's a Cathedral that no man could ever even hope to build.

2/7/2013 07:49:53 am

Thanks Steve & Elkton! Makes much more sense now. Been following the blog for a few years. Hopefully I'll make the hike before I hit 40 (couple years from now)

Mikey

2/7/2013 04:20:06 am

Beautifully composed, JP. Reading your words, it's just like sitting up there at sunrise greeting the day, being utterly, contentedly aware and in the moment, taking in the softly changing color in the east, watching the trees slowly reveal their own shapes and color, all the while enjoying that crisp morning air and snow, watching your breath plumes, and knowing you're right where you're supposed to be. Nothing better. Thank you, good sir, be careful on the trails!

doug y

2/7/2013 04:57:11 am

I agree that the Park Service could do a wee bit better job of describing the Alum Cave Bluffs, Alum Cave trail, ALum Cave, and so on; I sometimes describe it differently each time I mention it in my comments. Watching the sunrise and sunset up at Myrtle Point and Cliff tops is truly a unique experience, surpassed by few other places on Earth I've been. I'd love to talk with Allyson and Chris about their Kilimanjaro trip as I was up there in 1985; I'm sure it was a memorable trip for them. A person I know continues to quiz me about hiking, camping, backpacking {I make distinctions between each of these activities, and variations in each pursuit} and I'm trying to relate my own experiences to give a rational explanation of why I do those activites. Each individaul must decide for themselves what those things mean to them. Years ago I was more into the longer backpacking trips, remaining out in the back country, usually in the Smokies but occasionally out west or in Alaska [there's another source of writing I'll perhaps describe later sometime] for days at a time, often two or three weeks, but these days my longer journeys are limited to the A.T. hike through the Park and an occasional backcountry overnighter (or two). What equipment do I carry ? Well, that's another personalized matter, but the essentials are common necessities that everyone will carry. No one has worked out a backcountry style as light, simple and elegant as that of the Himalayan yogi, "Milarrepa", the 11th century Tibetan saint. At one point in his life he had his outfit down to a few religious objects and a bowl. {I wonder what he would think of my "Sierra Cups" ?} He needed no more protection than a thin cotton cloth {would he like fleece ?} because he had mastered the yoga of vital heat that enabled him to stand extremes of cold. He needed no bedding because he never lay down, spending most of his time in the posture of meditation. He needed no special supply of food. He made soup of nettles that grew along the way. He hardly ever came down from the mountain. Milarepa, in the tradition of the mountain men of Eastern religions, was in the wilderness with the purest intention, for only the right reason. Uplift. Some could subsist on air which is lighter than freeze-dried food ! And there's John Muir, but that discussion can wait for now. Each person must develop his/her own style, as I have. AND, these days and for years to come that will definitely include visits to Leconte Lodge. Great Galloping Gertie my firends !! I do believe I'm mellowing out !!

Marilyn

2/7/2013 05:40:38 am

Alum Cave is not really a cave. Called a Rock Shelter by geologists. Epson Salt Mfg. Co formed to mine alum, epsom salt, saltpeter,magnesia, cooperas there in 1840's. Mining ended shortly after Civil War. Imagine it looked far different those many years ago than it does now. Just a little history of "Alum Cave".

Debi

2/7/2013 05:45:48 am

Yep, I learn something every day reading this blog. For one thing, not to wear jeans, done that! Or cotton shirts and so on. I have only been up there 6 times and out of the 6 I finally found some Anu hiking boots that have not gave me blisters. 5 out of the 6 I come down the mountain with blisters. Love my purple hiking boots. Makes it so much more enjoyable. Good day everyone!

Deedee

2/7/2013 07:36:10 am

I traveled up my first trip =barefooted=!! :)

Booted Foot

2/7/2013 09:22:02 am

Believe I saw you on the Discovery Channel....Dual Survival?

Deedee//MI

2/7/2013 09:29:40 am

Yep That was me !
I hiked barefooted cuz I started with a blister. The day was warm, and the trail was not too rocky (trillium)- just had to watch for llama poop.

2/7/2013 12:47:49 pm

You sound more like an Alabamian than a Michiganian. I can say that cause I are one...well of the masculine variety.

Deedee/Mich.

2/7/2013 01:17:25 pm

Nope; pure Michigan!
Booted Foot -
you sound more like Big Foot
;)heehee

Karen

2/7/2013 03:25:56 pm

OK- can I ask what might be considered a dumb question- Exactly where is Apollo Overlook that JP mentioned in his post? I have been up there 4 times and explored all over the top, but I'm not sure where this spot is. It has been mentioned several times on this site in the past couple of years and apparently is a spectacular overlook. But where? Thanks. JP- I'm enjoying your posts & pictures.

shose

2/7/2013 03:36:01 pm

Apollo Overlook is a spot on the trail between the Lodge and the summit of the mountain about a quarter of a mile past the shelter. The trail follows the edge of a cliff and faces southeast towards Cape Canaveral. The story is that folks standing there could see the trail of the Apollo rockets headed for space. It's a great spot to view Newfound Gap, Clingman's Dome, and points south.

2/8/2013 11:09:35 am

OK- thanks! I know where you are talking about. I love that spot! Great views. Also nice to know the origin of the name. Thanks

Tony Ga

2/7/2013 10:19:54 pm

I had to look that one up too. Look at this map.

http://www.mtleconte.com/acblocations.html

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February 07th, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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