if life's not beautiful without the pain, well then i guess i'd rather just never ever even see beauty again.

1/8/2014

We live to long, so long I will, and jounce down that mountain highest perfect knowing or no highest perfect knowing full of glorious ignorant looking to sparkle elsewhere. Kerouac

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 18 degrees overnight. The low was negative 14 degrees. It was 16 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new rain or snow and still has about 3 inches of snow left up top. There are patches of black ice underneath the snow, so be careful. I would definitely recommend Microspikes if you intend to summit in the coming days.

Top photo: Views towards Newfound Gap from just above Alum Cave. Above: Rhodo tunnel!!

It appears as though the Polar Vortex (what a name!!) has passed and the mountain has survived. I am sure it has seen colder temperatures in it's days back when it was higher than the Himalayas, so I am not surprised. The mountain sets a fine example in stoicism. It has been enlightening to see just how uncomfortable the weather can get to a mortal like myself, because now 16 degrees feels positively tropical. Perspective is a beautiful thing. I'll always have this experience of the 'coldest I've ever been on Mt. LeConte' to tell old man stories to whoever will be listening when I'm too tired to climb mountains. Just making memories, as my friend JimmyJam would say. I have to soak in this snowy wonder while it's still here, so I'll be on my way. Enjoy the trails, folks.

Rick Shepherd

1/8/2014 01:03:30 am

So Cool, JP.....Love your pics n scrips!

jay

1/8/2014 01:17:35 am

The term "polar vortex" or "circumpolar vortex" has been around since the 1970's. Minus 14 is at least a 6 dog night. Glad you had enough dogs to stay warm.

The Real JP

1/8/2014 01:37:39 am

Jay,

I wish I had 6 dogs! Preferably 6 of these guys.

http://all-puppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cute-alaskan-malamute-puppy.jpg

The propane is way less adorable.

Val

1/8/2014 02:37:04 am

I could not imagine doing your job without my dogs or my hot tub so, I guess I'm out!

Ron P. Metcalfe

1/8/2014 01:38:47 am

JP, the Auroral Index will be at 5 tomorrow and Friday, which is considered a HIGH index. It means the northern lights can be seen as far south as Seattle, Cleveland, and Boston. Given your high altitude and lower light pollution, you just might be able to see them if it's clear enough. Look north. At night, haha.

Lisa LeConte

1/8/2014 01:43:45 am

Just beautiful. You are a fortunate person to not only have these experiences but realize completely how to appreciate them! :)

Donnie R

1/8/2014 01:56:48 am

Awesome pic as always ! Like peering through a window to another world, JP ;)

Gina

1/8/2014 02:19:21 am

Beautiful

Kent

1/8/2014 03:35:59 am

Loves me a snowy Rhodo tunnel. Three days and counting. All systems are go, and the weather looks pretty cooperative, at this point. The view from Cliff tops should be extraordinary.

Chris

1/8/2014 04:30:10 am

Anyone gotten any recent (last day or 2) pics of rainbow falls?

doug y link

1/8/2014 06:57:29 am

Just curious, but that "Rhodo Tunnel", is that the last few feet on the Alum trail right where you reach the ridge, then bear left on out to the lodge on a mostly level grade ? I believe someone on here a few weeks ago called it "Narnia". Regardless, it's a nice scene !

Winston

1/8/2014 10:56:21 am

Nope. Read the caption...

T-Wayne

1/9/2014 12:16:40 am

Caption reads , above-rhodo tunnel

doug y link

1/9/2014 01:04:49 am

Thank you. I did read the caption correctly. It looks like that last few feet of the Alum trail as you reach the ridge, then bearing right (I mistakenly wrote left in my earlier comments - - my mistake) on out that rather level grade to the lodge itself.

The Real JP

1/9/2014 02:40:25 am

Doug,
This rhodo tunnel is actually heading downhill, just above the Styx Branch crossing above Arch Rock. it does look similar to the one you mention, though.
Best,
JP

doug y link

1/9/2014 02:49:38 am

Thank you JP. Upon a closer inspection of the photo I can see the downhill grade, and now I remembner exactly where this is. I don't hike Alum much anymore, preferring Trilliium, Rainbow, or Bullhead, and, yes, the photo does resemble that short section at the top which always made me realize that I had made it up, at least as concerns the elevation gain. I was there with but a relatively short distance remaining to the lodge, roughly a quarter mile thereabouts, and sometimes those last steps were pretty easy ! Have a great day !

Brett

1/8/2014 08:14:18 am

Staggeringly beautiful pictures, Thanks for sharing.

Kevin

1/8/2014 08:45:23 am

still loveyou John Paul krol

Mtn Rose

1/8/2014 09:32:19 am

Just gorgeous pics. Thank you.

Bill Drummy

1/8/2014 09:45:27 am

Some of your best photos!

Bill E.

1/8/2014 01:40:28 pm

JP... nice to see the Alum Cave trail picture from yesterday's post on the front page of this morning's Knoxville News Sentinel.

John C.

1/8/2014 02:13:28 pm

Well said brother.

Debi

1/8/2014 10:29:47 pm

Looks like you officially got your winter JP. :)

Comments are closed.

if life's not beautiful without the pain, well then i guess i'd rather just never ever even see beauty again.

LeConte Lodge

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