February 18th, 2013

2/18/2013

pow!

Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful day up top. The high yesterday reached the teens, then it got warmer as the night progressed leading to an overnight high of 23 degrees. The low was 0, recorded early yesterday morning. It is currently 23 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow, but our total is at about a foot. Be sure to be prepared for slow going conditions! The powder is super fluffy, but there has been nobody on the Alum Cave trail... so it'll be a long day up.

pow pow.

I spent all day yesterday walking around, taking in the vast blue skyscapes framed over snowy majesty, reveling in the quiet, making tea and cookies with friends, watching a stunning sunset and building a top flight sledding ramp (!!!). It was like seeing your old tomboy friend dress up in an evening gown, there's quite simply nothing like the way snow changes the entire character of this place. Magical is not a big enough word. The awe just flows on days like this. Hopefully this is the start of a trend... that will stop right before airlift (:

pow POW pow!!!!!

Debi

2/18/2013 12:40:12 am

Love the photos today JP. I get a work out around here just shoveling.

Tony Ga

2/18/2013 12:44:29 am

PrayerWalker's first post from the trail.

http://www.prayerwalkerat.blogspot.com/

Becky Moore

2/18/2013 01:10:27 am

Awesome pictures today! Our special mountain looks great in every season. Glad you are getting your snow this winter JP. Enjoy!

Paula B.

2/18/2013 01:52:03 am

So glad you finally got snow. The pictures are awesome! Please post more, more, more pictures!!

Galen

2/18/2013 01:59:28 am

Hey JP, Glad you're getting the elusive snow you have been wanting. Haven't seen anything about your plans for next year. Are you planning on returning again or will you be off to other adventures? Whatever you deceide best wishes to you. It's been a pleasure reading your commentary these past two years. I guess there's only about a month left before the new season opens. Enjoy!!!

Kaye

2/18/2013 02:12:27 am

JP, love, love, love these pictures. What a beautiful place in any season. Glad you have gotten your long awaited snow!! Sure wish I was on top of that beloved mountain with my camera and a cup of good old LeConte hot cocoa.

Ronette Jones

2/18/2013 03:13:10 am

Wow, simply wow!!

Ken

2/18/2013 03:15:10 am

Started up Alum Cave last night (Sunday 8:30pm) and got to within 2 miles of you but turned around at about 11. Had to work today. The trail was great (though icy, crampons needed). Enjoy reading your post and hope to come up to see you the next good snow. I will start a little earlier:(

Devin R

2/18/2013 03:20:42 am

Ronette took the works out of my mouth!

Wow!!!

I hope we get to experience a snowfall like that in the Smokies one day! I'm overwhelmed with jealously and joy for you JP! Enjoy that snow!

Leigh Miller

2/18/2013 03:32:53 am

It has been a long time since I have been up there in snow. You are in Heaven on Earth! Enjoy!

doug y

2/18/2013 05:29:29 am

I liked "pow POW pow !!!!!" the best ! Glad to see that others like to hike at night in the cold as I do; it's a demanding endeavor, but the rewards and satisfaction gained are immense ! Next time I come down from Kentucky I think I'll bring my bigger binoculars as I'd love to spot the lodge from "down below", too. I sometimes carry a small pair if my hiking plans take me to a lofty peak or observation point. The ones I'll use to spot the lodge have to be tripod mounted. There's been two or three that have mentioned that they'd like to meet and hike with some of the other readers here and I suppose that all one would have to do is pick a date and hope for the best; of course, there's no realistic expectation of how many could logistically make any date chosen; it's a nice possibility even if it never takes place. I cannot remember when this year's opening date is scheduled so I'll have to call the office; I want to assist with the airlift is possible and volunteers are welcome, etc. G'day.

Glenn OH

2/18/2013 07:08:57 am

Hi, Doug from London Ky(I think) sounds like it would be fun, my wife and I would go,if it was a weekend we were free. we could eat lunch up top with Leconte crew. Shoot for a Saturday?

Kimmstree link

2/18/2013 06:58:33 am

I liked pow the best! What stunning pictures. I'm sure it is like walking through pillows of quiet. Keep the photos coming :)) So glad you got your big snow!

doug y

2/18/2013 07:25:38 am

Yes, Glenn OH, London, KY; originally from Harlan County about 75 mi east s.e. of here; You're suggestion of a Saturday, or a Sunday, appears to be perhaps the best day to get as many participants as possible to hike with. June, July, or August would provide the longer daylight hours which could come in handy. Start the hike early to get to the lodge for lunch by noon, too. I really like the idea, so we'll see what develops over the next two or three months. I know the lodge needs a few days notice for lunch unless it's packed in. Hmmmmm. Plenty of possibilities. At my age I might need plenty of time to get there by noon ! I never was one, however, to set any speed records. But when I'm excited I can do wonders !!

Tony Ga

2/18/2013 07:31:23 am

doug y, what a small small world. My father was originally from Harlan County before his family migrated to Ohio. Visited there years ago.

Glenn Oh

2/18/2013 07:59:33 am

I think most people from Ohio has folks from Ky that's why they call Hamilton Hamiltucky. I'm hoping to stay in the shelter march 9th, lodge May 31th. We'll see how group hike goes forward. Somebody said they wanted the record for hiking the AT the slowest, that's ME.

Glenn OH

2/18/2013 08:48:32 am

I mean may 31st , are you suppose to read before you submit?

Nicole

2/18/2013 08:43:20 am

So glad to see there is an ongoing blog. We've not been up to LeConte Lodge since 2004. We're planning to hike up towards the middle of March. I cannot wait. I am jealous you are getting to see the beauty it beholds. Thanks for keeping up informed.

papawlg

2/18/2013 09:05:19 am

pow,wow.Wow,WOW.beautiful !!!

hrtn

2/18/2013 09:22:22 am

You amaze me more everyday b, I fall deeper in. So beautiful!

tbns

2/18/2013 11:22:36 am

Wont be long and maybe we will be up on top!!!

Leigh

2/18/2013 12:52:57 pm

JP, I think about you whenever I see snow forecasted for the mtns. I'm so glad you got lots of it this year. Keep up the good work. Oh, and are you on twitter?

warren Morrison

2/18/2013 01:07:14 pm

It's been grand seeing your pictures this winter and enjoying your photography. I'm excited about trying water colors with many of them. Thanks

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February 18th, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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