i been coming and going since the day i was born and i followed the bread crumbs but i never got home.

12/23/2013

I meant to do my work today, But a brown bird sang in the apple tree, And a butterfly flittered across the field, And all the leaves were calling me. And the wind went sighing over the land, Tossing the grasses to and fro, And a rainbow held out it's shining hand, So what could I do, but laugh and go? Richard Le Gallienne

Morning y'all,

It's another cloudy day, yet there is promise on the horizon. It almost feels like those everlasting beach days after a hurricane has passed. There is an eerie calm after the tumult of pure storm, the birds are back out of their hiding places and the air has a distinctly refreshing, rather than hostile, quality. The high yesterday reached 44 degrees. The low was 35 degrees. It was 35 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received 2.34 inches of rain yesterday, bringing our two day total to just about 4 inches. It was an impressive show. The trails should still be soggy, so be prepared for wet socks. Enjoy!

Top photo: Daylight inversion. Above: All I Want For Christmas.

The mountain is soaked, raging winds roar. It resembles what I imagine life at sea would be like on the most extreme of days. Darkness settles in, all sorts of mysterious creakings abound, it is necessary to have the kerosene lanterns lit, even during 'day'light. The elements are always in control, but on a day like today they come out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Thankfully, the mountain is immortal and far sturdier than any ship of man's. It's a pleasure to be comfycozy on days like this, curled up with a good book or three, incense, candles, the easygoing disposition that allows me to not hike for a day. All I'm missing is a bobkitten purring at my feet.

james

12/23/2013 12:29:33 am

Good morning JP hope your day is great as always and hang in there Bobkitten is coming!!

Wanda

12/23/2013 12:30:46 am

Were those bob kitten. Bear, or human tracks?

Debi

12/23/2013 12:36:40 am

Good luck at staying dry. The snow will come. 18 here in Michigan and its snowing ever so lightly.

Susan B

12/23/2013 01:27:53 am

Good Morning,

I loved the quote from Richard Le Gallienne. During the warmer months, I tend to put off the chores for a chance to catch nature at its best. Now that its winter though, I am dreading being stuck indoors and want to get outdoors to play. It's a wonderful 19 degrees here in St. L. Debi - no snow here but it would be nice to see alittle snow .

tomk in SC

12/23/2013 01:55:34 am

Quotes should be attributed. I don't know if under current law around sampling requires it, but giving the author credit for a well written chunk of prose is a sign of respect.

"Soul Singer in a Session Band" as written by Conor Oberst is the apparent source of today's title quote.

Someone else mentioned some time ago that it is difficult to separate your words from those that came before you.

Love your photos and your story!

The Real JP

12/23/2013 02:00:25 am

tomk,

I attribute all the quotes under pictures. Every 'title' is a song lyric. It's whatever is on my radio as I finish writing. If people feel endeavoring, they can figure them out themselves.

best,
JP

Tony Ga

12/23/2013 08:26:33 am

JP, Just to let you know I, and I'm sure a lot of others, knew they were song lyrics and frequently looked them up if I didn't regonize them. Keep up the good work.

tomk in SC

12/23/2013 10:50:02 am

JP/Tony,
I know the title quote comes from a song,and I know how to look it up. My point is that out of respect for the author, they ought to be attributed.

Holtknoblady

12/23/2013 01:50:32 pm

Think we understood the 3 sections - plus photos - to JPs daily notes. No changes needed. His quotes challenge my mind; his prose speaks to my heart. Keep it coming, JP.

Paul B

12/23/2013 03:54:13 am

JP, I always love the titles, quotes and your prose in the main body of the day's writing. I would say that your writings are the equivilant of any of the quotes and it is what keeps me coming back day after day. As for today's quote by Le Gallienne, I believe that I hold onto it in case I should miss one of the corporate goals that I am tied to. They surely would understand this logic, right?

doug y link

12/23/2013 09:48:48 am

I enjoy the quotes here, no matter who or where they come from. I don't always live by some of them, nor follow their advice, but sometimes I have to realize that there are always smarter people out there than me, and there are dumber people out there than me, so I'm just somewhere in between. No matter. Everyone is different and thank goodness for that ! I appreciate all the comments and ideas on here. I, too, have often wondered what happens to those foolish folks who don't arrive at the lodge until very late I the day. If they're allowed to stay, then doesn't that open up a "precedent" of sorts ? Or if they're told to head back down, isn't that putting them into danger, especially if they're like some of those just described ? How can you prevent people from getting such ridiculously late starts ? It's a difficult thing for me to comprehend, i.e., how some people can be so ignorant of what they're getting themselves into !? I shudder at the very thought of these folks being out there unprepared, after dark, and so forth. It's a topic that can be discussed for a long time, eh !? As for those tracks in the snow, "that ain't no Bobkitten" !! Good evening everyone !

tony hutton

12/23/2013 11:09:45 am

oh please! it always makes me laugh at how over-cautious many posters on this site can be! granted, I've never visited your beautiful mt leconte. but geez, it's just a walk in the woods. so you have to walk after dark... take a flashlight. anyone going out for a hike knows to be prepared for the unexpected. i'd hardly call getting a late start foolish.

holtknoblady

12/23/2013 01:34:04 pm

Too many novice hikers head out totally uneducated and unprepared. They not only put themselves at risk, they also test the ability of any potential rescuers. The advice given on this site is not wasted.

Tony Ga

12/23/2013 02:13:10 pm

holtknoblady I totally agree with you.

Steve

12/23/2013 11:04:31 pm

Tony, you obviously have never spent any time in the Smokies. It's not always just a walk in the woods. Weather, wildlife, and many other variables are possible. Oh please! Be prepared! I want to see a first timer hiking at night with the bears trolling! Haha

jack

12/24/2013 12:40:31 am

tony hutton: are you ever misguided ! your over-simplification of it being just a "walk in the woods" is way off !!! Yes, for some it may be just that, but it's not always that simple ! What kinds of experiences do you have to justify your categorization of this !? Back up what you have to say.

Chad P

12/24/2013 01:23:11 am

You people need to get off Tony H's back. He is right. Over-planning and over-preparing take the adventure and wonder out of wilderness travel. Many times I have taken off on a hike on the spur of the moment, and those are my most memorable times. I always feel more alive when it is me versus nature.

jean d

12/24/2013 12:57:05 am

whoa! Tony Hutton, you admit you have never visited Mt Leconte. Nuff said! Anyone who has, knows it is not just a "walk in the woods." There are places on the trails where even were it not for bears and/or other animals, a misstep could send one down the mountain off the side of the trail especially after dark. Hope you get a chance to visit sometime but please do come prepared.

doug y link

12/24/2013 01:25:28 am

Right on jean d ! I'll offer to take Mr. Hutton along on a night-time hike ! In the winter !

tony hutton

12/24/2013 01:39:33 am

Thanks for the invite Doug, might just take you up on that. Who said anything about needing a rescue. According to the map, Mt LeConte is only 5 miles from the parking lot. I spend many years in the army, and I think I know plenty about "surviving". Like I said, be prepared: Throw in a flashlight, my old army ponch, some waterproof matches, dry socks, and an extra sweatshirt and I'll be just fine.

A hike to Mt LeConte aint climbing Mt Everest for crying out loud!

tuffy c

12/24/2013 02:40:51 am

i like where this thread is going. i have been following 'hol' for a couple of months now trying to get info about your mountain. will be visiting my grandma in ashville nc in january. would love to be part of a group hike. dougy tony h anyone else let me know. i have been trail running for two years. anyone want to race to the top- day or night. maybe we can crash with jp

doug y link

12/24/2013 05:43:39 am

Greetings tuffy c: I have in mind organizing a group hike of persons who comment on this site as I would like to meet some of them. As for January, I've been summoned to jury duty that month, unless I present a reason I shouldn't serve. I suppose it's one of my civic duties to do so. Anyway, your trail running puts you in a different class that I grew out of long ago; I never really was a jogger except for a two-year period in the late sixties, and these days running is not an option for me, especially facing an upcoming knee replacement. But I do love winter hiking. There may be someone around here who might take you up on racing to the top, but it sure isn't me; thanks anyway; My trail name is "fi-yoh-pi-poh" which is Cherokee for "Slowwalker" and that very name is indicative of my hiking speed ! I've done one heck of a lot of it, too ! It's my passion. Perhaps next summer some of us can assemble for a hike. As for crashing with JP, I don't think that's an option, but personally I wish the lodge was open was open year-round. G'day

doug y link

12/24/2013 04:05:19 am

Well, Mr. Hutton, thanks for your service. I've never mentioned it on this site, but, I, too, served. About all I want to say about that is that I was 101st Airborne, two tours of Vietnam, two purple hearts and the Bronze Star. I'm proud of that, but have no desire to parade my service in front of people. As for taking you on a hike, I'd probably just slow you down; Your abilities seem to be rugged and satisfactory and I'm sure you're quite capable. To each his own. Everyone has the right to prepare and hike in their own way.

Melissa

12/24/2013 02:08:57 am

I was up there (fully prepared with layers, food, microspikes, etc btw) in Jan 2011 with 4 feet of snow, 6+ inches of ice under the snow, 50 mph winds, and it was 5 degrees. I was raised in Jefferson County across Douglas lake from Mt. LeConte, and walked and played "in the woods" everyday. I would NEVER consider going up there unprepared or on a whim from Oct 1 - May 1. Merry Christmas!

doug y" link

12/25/2013 10:41:29 am

Hi Melissa: I agree heartily with you ! Yeah, I've gone on my share of trips on the "spur of the moment", and I'm quite the lucky one with all the results. But, I have never gone on a backcountry hiking trip or otherwise without a minimum of gear; Sure, I could survive out in the wilderness as well as any of the "Rambos" around, but what point would I be trying to prove !? That I'm a "Bad-Ass" !? Or a "Jeremiah Johnson" !? I don't have that big an ego ! And I'm actually a tough old fart ! But I don't have the egotistical need to prove it ! Good evening.

Ronnie

12/24/2013 02:32:38 am

Right there with you Melissa. I live here in Gatlinburg and hike Leconte quite often and always go prepared. Some people!!!!!
Merry Christmas to all of our regulars on the site. JP you must have a beautiful sight today 12-24-2013. The cold front moved in this morning.

Kent

12/24/2013 02:34:27 am

Holy crap on a cracker, Tony, relax. Has it been one of those weeks? Eeesh!

I like to be prepared for most contingencies when I head on a long hike, but that's just me. I have my headlamp, emergency blanket, extra food, clothes, rain gear, etc. etc.

If you want to take a more casual approach to hiking above 6000', that's your choice Tony. Head on up wearing nothing but a pair of Bermuda shorts and worn out canvas sneakers, if you wish. It's none of my business, really. Why are you making others' choices for hiking equipment yours?

doug y link

12/25/2013 12:02:05 am

Right on, Kent, Ronnie, and Melissa !!!

Comments are closed.

i been coming and going since the day i was born and i followed the bread crumbs but i never got home.

LeConte Lodge

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