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February 10th, 2016

2/10/2016

7 Comments

 
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But how to: Alone, elegantly, a wolf on a rock, old pale and dry, dry bones rattling in the leather bag, eyes alight, high, dry, cool, far off, dim distance alone, free as a dying wolf on a pale dry rock gurgling quietly alone between the agony-spasms of beauty and delight; when the first flash of hatred comes to crawl, ease off casually foward into space the old useless body, falling, turning, glimpsing for one more time the blue evening sky and the far distant lonesome rocks below - before the crash, before... With none to say no, none. Way off yonder in the evening blue, in the gloaming. Edward Abbey

Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful, snowy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 5 degrees. The overnight low was negative 6 degrees. It was negative 6 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received another 6 inches of snow, bringing our total up to 13 inches. It looks as though we're due to receive a few more flurries throughout the day. It is bitter cold and the deep snow is very fluffy, making for slick conditions. I would recommend full winter gear if you intend to reach the summit - winter boots, wool socks, gaiters and Microspikes are a must. There are a number of road closures throughout the park, you can check on their status here... It is serious weather out there today, be safe and enjoy it!

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Top photo: The gloaming. Above: The main staircase at dusk.

I have always had a love for snow. It has only grown since I've discovered my love for the mountains. They compliment each other well. There is something majestic about the way snow transforms the landscape, seemingly enhancing quietude, and bringing an even deeper sense of peace and abiding to the world. I went for a few little jaunts yesterday, in between long reading and napping sessions. February is the finest month for torpor, my annual hermitage of rest and relaxation. I spend most of my time outside pushing hard, testing my limits and seeing just how much I am capable of seeing - it is refreshing to spend February unplugged from my ambitions. I am going to ski a bit this afternoon, take a few photos (if my phone doesn't die in the cold), finish planning my summer expedition and maybe even finish a book or two. I couldn't realistically hope for a better day...

Happy Birthday, Luke. I wish you were here for my first real powder day of the season. You're missed down here in the mountains.

7 Comments
Pat N
2/10/2016 09:00:56 am

I'm sure it is a serene winter wonderland at the lodge...enjoy!

Reply
Mary Anne Rudolph
2/10/2016 09:22:43 am

I have read that when Ed Abbey died (of some kind of awful lung disease I think) his friends took his body to a cave somewhere in the desert and piled rocks in front of it. They supposedly never told anyone where it was. A fine and fitting end to being, forever one with what he loved.

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Tammy ( Tx )
2/10/2016 10:22:52 am

Beautiful photos! You are really getting some snow in the top photo, but the bottom photo is my favorite. I love to hunt for, find, and collect vintage items and the bottom picture looks like an old vintage photo. Just lovely! I just mailed my oldest daughter a 70+ year old Valentines card from my dad (who is deceased) to his cousin. How I wish I could see her face when she opens it! Have fun skiing today, JP!

Reply
Tammy ( Tx )
2/10/2016 10:35:43 am

JP, I just thought just entered my mind. Last February, you posted a photo with snow on the ground and the sun was shining through the pines. I don't know if you intended it be be this way or not, but the light projecting through the trees "created" a pinkish-reddish "heart". I saved it, but thought maybe you could repost it for Valentines Day. That is if you still have it. Peace!

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Ron P. Metcalfe link
2/10/2016 12:47:36 pm

JP, feel any rumbling up there? Link on my name is to USGS which recorded a very small quake in the Smokies.

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Tammy ( Tx )
2/10/2016 04:27:34 pm

Ron, my daughter has been living in the SF bay area (actually Berkeley) for about 10 to 11 years. And about 4 or 5 years ago she and I were on a trip together in the GSMNP area. We were at a counter in a store or restaurant and her head about twisted off her shoulders. All big eyed she asked "did you feel that?" I told her no. Later we checked the USGS site and there had been a small tremor around Tellico Plains. If I recall there were several little tremors those few days. I always wondered what it would be like up at the Chimneys in an earthquake!

Reply
Christy lockett
2/13/2016 01:56:32 pm

beautiful pictures...thanks for sharing no

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