February 19th, 2013

2/19/2013

before the main staircase became the premier high altitude sledding track in the world.

Morning y'all,

It's a blustery day up top. The high yesterday reached 35 degrees. The overnight low hit 21 degrees and it was 28 degrees and overcast at 7am observation. The mountain received about 2 inches of new snow overnight, but we had about 6 inches of melt during the day. Our total stands at about 8 inches of snow. The drifts are quite high with all the wind we received last night. I came up Alum yesterday afternoon and did not need spikes. The new snow provides just enough traction to get to the summit, but as always, I would recommend carrying a pair of Microspikes just in case you feel uncomfortable.

Cliff Tops.

I had a fantastic hike back up yesterday after pizza time in town. The sun was bright, the snow was brighter and brightest of all were the smiling faces enjoying our treasured national park on President's day. It was nearly warm enough to go shirtless, reminding me of long summer hikes through the Greens. I got to Alum Cave feeling a little low on energy and met a group of young ladies who gave me some apples, peppers and hummus! It was like a mirage, especially in the Cave with that arid rockscape... even if it was all in my mind, it felt real enough. The quiet on the way up from the Cave is fantastic on these winter afternoons. All that could be heard is the building roar of wind around ledges, distant ravens and a placated heartbeat. All these little moments add up.

Myrtle.

Barbara Allen

2/19/2013 01:23:01 am

The photos are beautiful. It is always a pleasure to greet you each morning. Must return your book to you soon.

Mamaw B

Raz Theo

2/19/2013 02:09:55 am

OK, JP, I'll bite: was the encounter with the ladies and their groceries real or not? Splendid images as usual.

juanita

2/19/2013 02:37:06 am

I know it is beautiful up on the mountain now. Enjoy the pictures.

Keith

2/19/2013 02:47:22 am

JP, in the picture of Cliff Tops, lower right corner, looks like you might have inadvertently captured a picture of a Bigfoot family- Check the Tracks!

Ronnie TN

2/19/2013 07:18:24 am

That is actually a couple of guys out there.

Mary F

2/19/2013 02:49:21 am

Wow, thanks again JP for the mind boggling photos!! Love seeing one of my favorite places draped in snow, beautiful!!

Debi

2/19/2013 03:16:05 am

You know its the little things in life that keep people happy and going. Those apples, peppers and humis made a world of difference to brighten your day. Hey, you brighten mine everyday kiddo with your awsome pictures. But ,me being a snow hater, would much prefer to see the flowers and spring time. Yes, I'm allowed I'm a old Michigan girl. Hehe!! But pictures are just amazing. By the way, blowing up a storm and the snow is coming down sideways. Gotta love it, or just stay inside until I have to go slide in and pick up my boy from school. Have a good day!

Anthony

2/19/2013 03:43:44 am

Yo, brother in spirit, put those moments in the bank, draw them out and cash them when times get dark. Draw upon the strength of the day. Become the Hero of the Day!

Brian N bama

2/19/2013 03:51:06 am

UGH!!!! Mt Leconte, take me away. I'm stuck here behind this desk while Mt Leconte is ever changing. Oh how I long for just a glimpse of her majesty. And Debi, hang in there and keep puttin up pics on FB. I enjoy seeing your snow fall. Great pics JP.

doug y

2/19/2013 03:54:16 am

Tony Ga: I lived in Harlan Co. for fifty years, here in Laurel Co. and London for almost 13; I will not talk badly about my former home, but I have no desire to even ever visit there; no family, friends have all decided to not communicate; well, such is our society we live in these days, sadly. If I have any kind of family other than my immediate one, then it's right here on this site; I guess that's why I'm interested in organizing a hike this summer of posters and readers on this blog, etc. Great Galloping Gertie !! The photos posted today are simply "CLASSY" ! Great ! Keith: Bigfoot !? Hmmmm......I'll believe iin one when absolute proof is presented, but I always watch all those Bigfoot programs on tv; I just cannot see how those creatures could live, but I'm no expert on the subject, nor am I qualified to put forth a theory of any substance. I looked carefully at the photo above and those silhouettes certainly could be taken for a Sasquatch, etc., but when I looked very closely with a magnifying glass they look to me not like an original part of the photo. BUT, if the image really does show a Bigfoot, they would be thirty or more feet tall ! The ridge they seem to be on appears to be several hundred feet away, as you're looking off the precipice of Cliff Tops, etc. But, it is an interesting topic for discussion and I would have probably overlooked it had you not mentioned it. Thanks. Debi: we've had only about a half inch accumulation of snow here this winter and looks like we'll go through without any. I love talking a mile walk through my woods behind my house in the snow, especially when it's really coming down, but I doubt I'll get to enjoy that this season. If we have an inch, sometimes less if there's ice with it, around here, the schools are closed, unlike in our northern states where it's dealt with and schools remain open, mostly. I've never been out at Myrtle Point with snow on the ground so I really appreciated its photo today. The last time out there I fell asleep lying on the ground in mid-afternoon; had there been a hungry bear, wolf, or other carnivore around I guess I could have been lunch !! By the way, someone asked me the other day if there were still wild boars roaming the Park. I hike there at least two, three, or four times each month, taking different trails as often as I can, and I've not seen any signs of these wild pigs, but also haven't spoken to any Park personnel about it. On one of my A.T. hikes through the Park I had a close encounter with a family of them and I was more concerned about them than I've ever been about bears, but that's been several years ago. Anyway, I was wondering about it for some reason today; guess on my next trip to the Park, probably this weekend or early next week, I may have to stop by the visitor center and inquire about it, not that it's a big concern; just interesting to me. Ok, Scotty, bean me up and transport me to Cliff Tops !! No, that'd be cheating, eh !? Have a good afternoon friends and readers !

Susan B

2/19/2013 06:32:45 am

Doug -

Last July when we hiked up Trillium and back, we were heading out on the Roaring Forks Rd. I had to take a double look because I thought it was a bear. I had to ask someone else that had stopped but there was a wild pig. I had heard about them and to actually get to see one was interesting.

kat

2/19/2013 09:33:38 am

Lots of wild hog sign on NC side of park. I've seen it alot on Bradley Fork above Smokemont

2/19/2013 05:02:30 am

Doug Y- Don't rain on my parade. Poor JP is stuck up there in the snow, he could probably use some company. Besides, the way I see it, he reports a sighting, gets on the news, book deal ( he is already a writer) Hollywood deal, he gets fame and glory and as a finders fee for me, he pays for a full week at the lodge for me and my family. Remember a show from a while back- You Gotta Believe!

Rexanna

2/19/2013 06:21:36 am

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm

I enjoy this view of Mt. Leconte daily :)

courtney chavers

2/19/2013 06:23:35 am

Beautiful! Wish I were there! Cant wait to hike back up :)

Dave

2/19/2013 10:06:17 am

Doug, there are thousands of boar in the park. When I first started hiking and backpacking there in the early 70s, we only saw them in the western half. Over the years, they have spread over the rest of the park and far beyond. Not all of them look like the Russian boar - many are simply huge domestic hogs that have either escaped from area farms or been released by hunters as young pigs to increase the population outside the park. The park service has an active trapping program - I ran into a fellow a few weeks ago in Greenbrier that was setting up his first cage trap for the year near the Porters Creek trailhead. Once a hog has been trapped though, other hogs will avoid that particular trap like the plague - they learn quickly. I have photos of them that I've gotten on critter cams set by game trails. They're not much of a threat to humans so long as we give them room and don't harass them. However, they do massive damage to the ecosystem of the park, digging wallows in springs and streams, wreaking havoc on several species of reptile and small mammals and even competing with bear for mast. They're a pain in the butt for park managers and the resources, but I have to admit that I love watching them. They're always active and entertaining, especially when young.
Here is a link to a critter cam shot of a boar near Chasteen Creek above Smokemont -
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/424431_418327414910800_50912293_n.jpg

2/19/2013 10:08:37 am

JP, methinks there are those who aspire to take over your domain, attempting to match your eloquence - rather than simply partaking of your remarkable contributions to our multiple senses, and humbly accepting the blessings of your unique perspective.
They know who they are.

###

2/19/2013 10:25:08 am

Thanks. My sentiments exactly

Leigh

2/19/2013 11:39:19 am

I love visiting, seeing your pics, and reading your posts. I haven't been able to visit as much this year, and I'm already missing you before you go. Thanks for a daily visit up top. :-)

Pat N.

2/20/2013 12:48:02 am

My husband and I just returned from the Smokies. We kept an eye on LeConte and enjoyed seeing the snow on the mountain. So glad you are getting to enjoy the depth and beauty of it as you enter your final weeks at the lodge. Keep up the good work.

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February 19th, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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