if i only had a dollar, for every song i sung.

12/6/2013

People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Nelson Mandela

Morning y'all,

It's an impressively stormy day up top. The high yesterday reached 52 degrees. The low only reached 46 degrees. It was 51 degrees and drizzling at 7am observation. The mountain received .81" of rain yesterday, starting in the afternoon and continuing overnight. I went up & down Alum yesterday and found the trails were in great shape. They'll be a bit wet today, but there's no ice. I was able to hike in sneakers the whole way.

The advancing rainstorm yesterday gave my hike a sense of urgency. Although I generally mosey along at a pace that could hardly be described as strenuous, it's a fun diversion to race myself up the mountain every once in a while. I never deliberately do it, but not getting drenched is as good a motivation as any. I read in the Hiking Trails to Mt. LeConte pamphlet that the record ascent is 45 minutes... which is truly humbling. If you acknowledge that a bit of vanity is involved with any 'race' and get over that, it produces a totally different kind of hike. You're more inwardly focused, noticing how your footfalls drop, how deep and efficient your breaths are, how to make your posture more ideal to avoid aches and pains. With that kind of focus, laser mode, whatever you want to call it, your brain definitely approaches a different plane. Time zips by and before you know it, you are where you began.

Top photo: Mist near Apollo Overlook. Above: High Point.

In other news, the Mt. LeConte shelter has been closed by the Park Service until further notice. This is due to an aggressive bear who was able to get food from hikers last Saturday night and is still active on the mountain. The hope is that once the mountain ash berries and temperatures drop, he'll den up for the season. This is a prudent decision made in the best interest of the bear. The less access he has to human food, the better for his long term health. Thank you for understanding.

Jan

12/6/2013 01:35:51 am

Thanks for the photos JP! The first one is one of my favorite spots on a hike up to LeConte. Love that ethereal feel as you go thru the tree tunnel. Happy hiking whatever your speed ;-)!

Gary

12/6/2013 01:41:43 am

Beautiful pictures, bad to hear about the bear. Remember to be careful running on those trails by yourself. Now a message to Gail Boudreaux from a coupe of weeks ago. It was a pleasure meeting your husband and two grandsons at the lodge last week. Believe me, they were taken care of, he should be ready to eat again by about next Monday. I hope he is successful in all his trail goals.

Juanita

12/6/2013 01:45:07 am

Love that top picture I have hike there just one time want to see it again next year.

Renate

12/6/2013 01:55:02 am

Good morning JP, I love to read your posts and also enjoy the amazing pictures. I hope you have a great day! Happy hiking!

Al on the Beach in Biloxi, MS

12/6/2013 01:58:56 am

JP, thanks for telling us where your pics are taken. It really helps to get our bearings; helps us all to "be there" again as we tell our tales of the magic of the mountain and the lodge.

James Workman

12/6/2013 02:03:36 am

Did another day hike up three weeks ago with friends sorry we missed meeting you JP but good to have you back!

Woody

12/6/2013 03:21:37 am

Poor Mr. Bear. I wonder if this is the same bear that was captured and tagged before Thanksgiving? Hopefully the pin head humans will keep their food out of reach and the bear will find food in the woods.

doug y link

12/6/2013 04:07:28 am

I have to mirror Jan's comments on the "Tree tunnel": it is definitely, for me, a favorite spot on the Alum trail, and Jan is spot on in describing the feeling I get when reaching it and it represents a location that signifies that I've made it to the top of the ridge with only an easy level grade on to the lodge remaining ! I don't take Alum much anymore for reasons I've mentioned before but today's photo will put a small reminder in my mind that I do not need to neglect this spectacular route; It's most unfortunate that the shelter had to be closed because of someone's apparent irresponsibility with food; we are in the bear's world, but these animals do suffer because of the actions of a few; Will people ever learn !?
JP: I've written on here that I don't have any use for records and that still holds, but it doesn't mean that I don't respect and admire such feats, like those Jeff Woody mentioned earlier; I actually rather enjoy reading about them; I'm too old and have far too many miles on my feet to even think about setting some kind of record; I'll leave those endeavors to more fit and perhaps hardier individuals; there is one record, however, that I can think of that no one has mentioned and I believe has ever attempted; Maybe I'll give it a shot !! {but it does not involve speed} So, JP, your description of records in your daily post above was simple great ! It made me realize more clearly what records may mean to some people and gave me a better insight and understanding; I thank you for such vivid and encouraging words ! I copied your last four sentences to a journal and will refer to them whenever I need some extra inspiration; Just the thoughts of going hiking are usually sufficient to inspire me ! I thank you ! It's too bad that negative comments still arise on here, but then, everyone has a right to post their opinions, within reason of course; The best thing is to just ignore them. For one, I appreciate the opportunity and privilege of commenting on this site and I thank the management for that, too; G'day to all !

Tony Ga

12/6/2013 04:18:45 am

Hear! Hear! Sir Doug Y!

12/6/2013 04:42:56 am

Thanks very much Tony Ga; Until I hit the submit button I hadn't realized I had written so much, but it was nothing near what I'm capable of ! And I have some more thoughts to add right now, for Kent; I hope I don't take up too much space !

Kent: You mentioned yesterday that you were relatively new to winter hiking, I believe; Following are some words I wrote in a journal of mine over twenty-five years ago during a rugged and bitterly cold winter hike along the A.T. from Newfound Gap to Fontana Dam; I thought they might somehow give you some inspiration for your coming cold-weather adventures:
"After hundreds of turns, ascents, descents, and too many close calls when I thought I was going to fall, the muscles in my legs and feet were screaming for relief. But what a wonderful feeling. Breathing the cold, clear air, inhaling and exhaling in sync with each turn, had stretched my lungs to their capacity. The high elevation sunlight and biting breeze had brushed my face with a rosy-hued glow. Dropping down steep declines and floating through the big timber had taken all of the concentration and coordination that I could muster. Yes, my legs were tired, but I didn't care. It was what I had come for, and I was euphoric ! the grin on my face was so broad that my lips were cracking !"
G'day

Debi

12/6/2013 04:56:39 am

Doug, you can never take up too much post. I love hearing from you. Always trying to soak all the info I can about hiking.

12/6/2013 06:37:48 am

Thank you very much Debi; I always look forward to this site and I particularly seek out your own comments as it wouldn't be a normal day here without them ! Your philosophy on "soaking up" info on hiking is simply great ! As long as I've been hiking I will forever seek new ideas, new routes and challenges, and especially new gear. Nowadays one of my favorite pleasures related to all this outdoor activity is sharing my experiences and knowledge with others and I suppose it''s one reason why I write so much; Afterall, why write a few short words when so many long ones are available !?? Just kidding a wee bit ! After my Feb knee surgery and my speedy recovery I fully intend to wratchet up my hiking a few gears. Another thing I love doing is helping others in various other ways; When I was up at the lodge in April of 2010 on Easter Sunday I brought about three dozen of those delicious chocolate Cadbury eggs for the crew; It was a wonder that I didn't eat them all during my hike up ! Well, of course those wonderful little eggs are a major part of my food pyramid ! I left them a nice little hard plastic chess set as well. So, my friend, remember this: "No matter where you go, there you are." G'day

Kent

12/6/2013 08:43:37 am

Doug y, don't ever be concerned about the length of your posts. They are always a valuable read. I've consumed and learned so much from coming to this website. I imagine much of the advice I've absorbed from you and others has saved me from personal injury or worse (or at least from having a really, really bad day).

Thanks for sharing your journal entry. It paints a very vivid picture of a cold, wintery, day in the Great Smokies and the value of what we gain from hiking in this amazing place. Inspiring indeed! Hopefully, it will also give me extra fortitude to tackle whatever conditions I face in January.

12/7/2013 12:21:51 am

I'll be thinking of you Kent during January and wishing you success on your journey; I keep lots of folks on my mind when Iearn about their hiking plans, particularly those who plan to attempt the entire A.T.

12/8/2013 04:30:45 am

Thanks, doug y. Barring a major winter storm that would prevent me from making the 500 miles drive, I'll be rolling into Gatlinburg on January 11 and hike up LeConte on the 12th (or the day after if the conditions look more favorable for that day).

Take care!

12/6/2013 12:02:20 pm

Keith Bonita Springs,FL

12/6/2013 05:47:09 am

When my wife and I visited the lodge last year during a snow storm,
We named the tunnel, Narnia, after the movie, stunning with a carpet of snow, and snow coming down through the trees. Gorgeous place

Bill Drummy

12/6/2013 09:38:44 am

JP, love that section of the hike up.

Jenny B. link

12/6/2013 10:15:38 am

Just catching up on things--I notice that in comments on an earlier blog some folks are upset that Jeff was into setting a record for time on all the trails of LeConte. Someone said he should be posting on another blog site instead of this one. My theory is that those folks are bothered that someone should try to go so fast... "Why be in such a hurry..." Well, here's my opinion. We all live in different worlds and have different goals, and there's no need to compare one person's goals with another's. If you believe in your own goals, why worry about another's? While completing my own personal goal on LeConte, I was moving sometimes at three or four hours to get one mile. Yes, you read that right. My goal was to climb LeConte off-trail via the 12 streams that drain its slopes. My final climb was via Shutts Prong out of the Greenbrier, and it took me 3 hours to go less than 1 mile from Shutts Right Fork to the Shutts-Boulevard divide. That is my own game and I don't think it's right for anyone else. So live your own life.

12/6/2013 10:58:29 am

Well put, Jenny B. I understand both the desire to go slow and take it all in, and I understand the desire to push one's limits. Both have rewards all their own. I'm just puzzled as to why someone would get bent out of shape over the latter.

I love your blog, btw, and thoroughly enjoy reading about your bushwhacking adventures. I'd love to try that sometime. :)

12/6/2013 11:03:22 am

Agree

12/7/2013 12:30:23 am

Jenny, you'd be a great hiking buddy ! I felt almost as if you were describing my own hiking pace and style. Going off-trail and cross-country is always rewarding and can be a task indeed, Yes, my friend, to each his / her own !! Thanks for your comments.

Val

12/8/2013 12:53:33 am

I was reading some history about LeConte and it sounded like it would take a week to get to the top, before trails.

RJnLA

12/6/2013 01:04:17 pm

is it just me or has anyone else noticed a pattern here? it seems to me that during the off season when Allyson and crew are away that some people who post here can't seem to play well with others. Seems like it is starting earlier this year. I'll repeat myself from last year. CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG.

12/6/2013 02:28:21 pm

Allyson polices the comments pretty well when she's on the mountain. She nips them before they get out of control. That's what I don't understand if you don't like the comment don't read it. Is that so hard. Apparently it is easier to say somthing mean than just ignore a comment you don't like.

12/7/2013 12:41:29 am

I couldn't have said it better, or perhaps even as well aw you Tony ! Some people are so utterly obsessed in thinking that they and they alone are right and that everyone else must believe as they do. Yes, simply ignore such comments; I've seen short and mildly critical comments on here, and some downright spiteful, and within a brief time after seeing them, they're gone, thankfully, removed, etc. Great Galloping Gertie ! I don't always agree with what is posted here, and I make every effort to keep my comments relative to the essence of this site, and I do worry a bit about being "lengthy". I thank all those who have given me good comments about my posts because all I intend is to be supportive, informative, and helpful. What a great bunch of people we have here !!! Hoooorah ! It brings back to mind an idea I had for several of us to get together for a group hike up to the lodge one of these days. Logistically it might be problematic to organize, but what an event it could be ! WE could could it: "The Great Escape" Good day to all !!!!

Hoopoe

12/6/2013 03:26:09 pm

Bug

Holtknoblady

12/6/2013 04:07:54 pm

Not one to favor censorship, I did think that Allyson did remove inappropriate comments on the blog. Can't imagine JP wanting to patrol the site but last year things got so hostile that the muses were not heard from for some time. Tolerance might need to be practiced by those who follow this blog. The bear incident is sad but I sense someone was irresponsible with their food supply. Those actions threaten that bear's life. Once again, a fed bear is a dead bear! In WNC there was limited mast available this fall for our bear population; perhaps some are still seeking food as they have not fattened up enough for the winter sleep.

12/7/2013 12:53:08 am

I must proofread my comments more thoroughly before I submit them; my typing accuracy seems to be deteriorating or I'm just going too fast; I woke this morning imagining that I heard the breakfast bell up at the lodge ! Wishful thinking probably ! Maybe I can cook up a big breakfast on my own. The negativity that creeps onto this site seems to dissolve quickly enough; Tolerance, as mentioned by Holtknoblady, is sometimes a necessary virtue, and simply ignoring disparaging comments works every time. So, with all the dire weather predictions of the last few days I am eager to hear from the mountain as to what transpired on top. Plenty of rain here in KY and presently light, powdery snow. Good time for a short hike behind the house. G'day to all.

David

12/7/2013 03:45:07 pm

The food was properly hung. The bear hit the ropes till the bag fell off the hook as they have been known to do. Maybe next time we can hold off on judgement and assuming the humans were "pinheads" or "irresponsible!"

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if i only had a dollar, for every song i sung.

LeConte Lodge

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