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i don't know what love is, but i know what it isn't.

11/28/2013

 
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The ancient values of dignity, beauty and poetry which sustain it are of Nature's inspiration; they are born of the mystery and beauty of the world. Henry Beston
_Morning y'all,

First off, Happy Thanksgiving! I could go on and on about how much that I have to be grateful for this year, but the present reality of fresh snow atop my winter abode is at the top of my list. I am soaking in this beauty. It felt a bit like a fairy tale waking up this morning. It has been a quick turnaround for me, I hardly feel like I've had a chance to breathe with my arrival up top coinciding with end of the season madness. There is still a lot for me left to do to settle into my winter home, but the familiar view of High Point with the sun gently glowing up the dawnsky was so uplifting. It sent the message clear through my skull - it is really happening.
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Top photo: Alum Cave in the timeless, snowy light. Above: I have a soft spot for cairns of all shapes and sizes. I thought this little toadstool cairn was charming.
_The high yesterday only reached 16 degrees. It was 16 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The low yesterday was 4 degrees. The mountain received 4.5 inches of new snow, bringing our total up to 6 inches. There are slightly deeper drifts up top and some buried ice below the fresh stuff. I came up Alum yesterday evening and could definitely feel my energy sapping with the drifts causing my feet to drag like chains. Please use caution if you intend to hike in the Park today.

There's all kinds of news on trail conditions. Rainbow Falls trail is currently CLOSED. It appears that a bridge washed out further below. They'll be sending in a crew as soon as possible to assess the damage. As of this posting, 441 is still closed. I hear them chattering on the radios, working hard to make sure all the roads are safe before they open up. Check the Park Service website or twitter feed for updates on road conditions.

Much thanks to Tim, Chris, Allyson & the rest of the crew. They were welcoming as could be and I really look forward to seeing them this winter. Be safe out there, everyone!
Jo
11/28/2013 12:29:58 am

Happy Thanksgiving JP!!

Ben
11/28/2013 12:32:47 am

Happy Thanksgiving !!!! Beautiful Report....Keep Warm...

vicki
11/28/2013 12:33:49 am

So Beautiful...Happy Thanksgiving

Sharon
11/28/2013 12:37:58 am

Glad to see you back JP! Enjoy your new snowfall! Happy Thanksgiving!! What a way to start off the winter!!

Tony Ga
11/28/2013 12:55:54 am

Happy Turkey Day to all!!! Cairns always remind me of my favorite artist Andy Goldsworthy. He creates absolutely amazing art in nature.

Robin
11/28/2013 12:57:28 am

Happy Thanksgiving to you Mr. Krol. The way you describe you surroundings makes me smile, look forward to reading your blog each day.

Rebecca Moore
11/28/2013 01:04:37 am

Welcome back JP! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all others who love this mountain! Thankful for so many things and so thankful for our awesome Mt. LeConte

Brad
11/28/2013 01:04:47 am

Wow! Beautiful snow at Alum Cave

Rachel
11/28/2013 01:07:13 am

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for the beautiful post! Great way to start the day! Wish I was up there!

barbara callahan link
11/28/2013 01:10:54 am

so glad you have arrived jp. i would have no other for the winter stay. you have a large following who love you dearly. happy thanksgiving. stay warm, and happy 1st snow, there will be many, many more to come this season, also ice, it's going to be a rough winter so hunker down.

Amber
11/28/2013 01:29:56 am

Such a beautiful site. Hope to be there tomorrow!!

Melissa
11/28/2013 01:33:02 am

Happy Thanksgiving JP! Thanks for sharing those beautiful pics! I look forward to reading and hearing bout your excursions on top!! Have fun in all that snow!

Debi
11/28/2013 01:40:07 am

You have all winter to settle in. Get out and enjoy the snow. As I set inside smelling my turkey cook and watching my husband plow the 12 inches or so we got so far in the last 24 hours in Michigan. Good ol' lake effect snow.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Jeannie Hoover
11/28/2013 01:41:15 am

Juanita
11/28/2013 01:41:37 am

Happy Thanksgiving Jp thanks for the beautiful pictures

Holtknoblady
11/28/2013 01:44:36 am

Oh my! Thank you, JP, for the pictures of Alum Cave Bluff, and the quote. May you take in all the beauty around you and have a wonderful holiday.

Kent
11/28/2013 01:52:08 am

Nice to see you back, JP. With a little luck, I'll get to meet you in person on the mountain in January -- if the weather doesn't thwart my plans.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Michael Brady
11/28/2013 01:54:50 am

Many gifts are to be found on the trails leading up to the summit ~ with LeConte Lodge providing warm memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ enjoy your winter wonderland! See you after the Spring thaw...

Rick Shepherd
11/28/2013 01:55:44 am

What a Way to wake up on Thanksgiving day.....I will carry these images with me and share them with all I can.....Thank You, JP!

Joy
11/28/2013 02:18:37 am

Happy Thanksgiving JP . Welcome back! So look forward to your posts! Sending blessings your way! Stay warm!

Anna
11/28/2013 02:35:00 am

Happy Thanksgiving , to all currently snowed in , Wears valley Tn, hope to be black Friday shopping tomorrow happy trails

Susan b
11/28/2013 02:38:09 am

Happy Thanksgiving JP! Welcome back - hopefully you will have a lot of snow this season.
Has anyone heard who the hiker was or how they are that broke their leg yesterday? Praying for them.

Kent
11/28/2013 03:18:00 am

Here's a link to the story I just found:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/nov/28/tennessee-hiker-rescued-after-falling-breaking/

I think someone was inquiring yesterday as to whether it was a LeConte Lodge crew member. It wasn't.

Don L
12/4/2013 05:29:18 am

Hi Susan- Twas me! I slipped and actually broke my ankle in 3 places! Including a nifty spiral fracture. Thank you for your prayers… I am sure they were answered as this could have been so much worse. Special thanks to Chris who stuck by my side all afternoon. And to all the staff that donated various pieces of warmth (Bethany the comforter was, well, a heaven sent comfort!) And to the rescue team that delivered me safely down. Cast for 6 weeks, then PT, then back to LeConte next summer! Thanks again everyone.

Madge @ The View From Right Here link
11/28/2013 07:26:09 am

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Happy Thanksgiving! ¤

Tanya
11/28/2013 07:39:35 am

Happy Thanksgiving, JP!! So glad you are back!!

Mary, Ohio
11/28/2013 09:12:45 am

Happy Thanksgiving JP! Hope you stay toasty on top of our favorite mountain ! Blessings and good wishes to all. We have so much to be thankful for each and every day!

Luke
11/28/2013 12:00:40 pm

Wow! We hiked up to Rainbow Falls yesterday afternoon and didn't experience anything adverse but a beautiful light snowfall, and then today we went up Bull's Head almost all the way to LeConte. Had to park farther back because the Rainbow Falls road was closed. Now I know why!

darryl
11/29/2013 12:26:17 am

JP: How many caretakers are there up on the mountain ?

chartier
12/2/2013 06:26:18 am

1

Rebecca
11/29/2013 12:34:01 am

Love cairns especially the ones atop Mt Washington. The snow is beautiful.

Buz Kiefer
11/29/2013 08:55:23 am

I first hiked to LeConte in 1970. It has changed somewhat but is still singular in its beauty. Thanks for posting the photos and comments. Yes, I am jealous. :^)


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