it's a hammer of justice. it's a bell of freedom. it's a song about love between my brothers and sisters all over this land.

1/28/2014

This banjo surrounds hate and forces it to surrender. Pete Seeger

Morning y'all,

It's a gorgeous, blustery day up top. The high yesterday reached 27 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 13 degrees. It was 15 degrees and lightly snowing at 7am observation. The mountain received another trace of snow and our total is still at around 3 inches. The mountain is due to get another few inches throughout the day, so expect snowy glory if you hike up today! The fresh powder should make for adequate traction. Enjoy!

Diapensia!! Alpine vegetation is truly inspiring.

The view from Crag Camp.

My stint on the rock is over half complete, it is time to break out of this spectacular present and let my thoughts meander towards the future. The unknown is equal parts thrilling and terrifying, a mindspace of danger and insecurity that builds fortitude. The thrill is now gone, the terror has become relief in the face of future work, security, and most importantly, above treeline visions!!! I am fortunate enough to be working for the legendary Randolph Mountain Club in the words-are-not-adequate White Mountains of New Hampshire this coming spring. There are few places that compare to Mt. LeConte and I'll be lucky enough to be transitioning to one of them. Mountain life for life!

Just a day hike away from one of my favorite places.

Ryan in Green Bay

1/28/2014 01:54:36 am

I can't believe your time is over half gone. That means spring is on its way. It was -20 this morning in Wisconsin and any sign of spring is a welcome site even if it means no more of your eloquent daily posts.

Jenny B. link

1/28/2014 02:08:47 am

Thanks for memorializing Pete Seeger--a great man.

Question: Which is better, the Smokies or the Whites? Answer: They're both fantastic! I've spent many days in all four seasons scrambling around the Whites, and the Northern Presies are my favorite.

doug y link

1/28/2014 02:33:43 am

Godspeed Pete Seeger !

It's been a long time, JP, but I believe that I've stood once at that very spot on Mt. Washington. I'm not as familiar with the New England region as I am Alaska where I've been several times for hiking; the Brooks range there is another spectacular site ! Which is better ? I don't think there's a simple answer. To each his own. I'd like to return to the Whites some day to hike some more. G'day

Bill Yeadon

1/28/2014 02:34:32 am

Kind of like which is better steak or lobster? So just have both. Great life. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

And a prayer for Pete Seeger today on his journey.

Dianne

1/28/2014 02:46:51 am

Nice tribute to Pete Seeger. There is new music in heaven today!

Elisabeth

1/28/2014 02:57:22 am

We will hate to see you leave JP, but I am sure you will enjoy the next adventure just as much. I still hope to make it to the top before you leave. Your care package is getting mangled from many "almost" trips in my pack! Someday soon, I hope. Enjoy the second half, todays snow should be amazing up there!

Val loves wildflowers

1/28/2014 03:58:39 am

Looks like these flowers grow in the north east and maybe rare. (I guess they grow where JP will be going) The ground around these flowers, in the pic, looked like LeConte, but guess not! https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mnap/features/dialap.htm (infor on the flowers) Maybe JP could give us a bit more info.

Kent

1/28/2014 04:17:52 am

Pete Seeger was an amazing spirit and made a valuable contribution to the world of music, and humanity. When I saw he had passed, I was reminded of my father who was a big fan -- especially during his early years with the Weavers.

While I haven't experienced the Whites, I've always been impressed by their unique character from images and videos I've seen. Definitely on my list of hiking venues to visit in the coming years.

Scott

1/28/2014 05:39:33 am

I live in N.H . I hike the whites all the time. I have 4 (4000 footers) I will have hiked all 48 ( I will become(AMC) Four Thousand Footer Club) But I cannot wait I will be staying on Mt.LeConte this August will be my first time in TN. I read about this place everyday.

Mike Clark

1/28/2014 11:06:03 am

Seeger was a bonifide communist, he only regreted it because he figured out being an American ws better for him. Ya'll should be ashamed for reconizing him, expecially you Doug.

1/28/2014 11:34:59 am

Mike: You're right about the communist affiliation of Seeger. He was certainly a radical in his own way. I won't get into a lot of his philosophies except to say none of them were my own. You mistook my "Godspeed Pete Seeger" for recognition; Quite he contrary, it was only a generic farewell. Nothing more.

1/28/2014 12:20:09 pm

Team player here, self made man on your on blog. "Stand for something or you'll fall for anyhing".

holtknoblady

1/28/2014 05:06:51 pm

Glad you are looking forward to your next assignment, JP. I remember you spent last summer there, or was it the Green Mts. in Vermont. Thanks for acknowledging Pete Seeger's passing. His songs were a part of the "peace-nik" sixties. I didn't realize he was 94. There's no stopping the passing of time.

Ben

1/29/2014 03:24:55 pm

I second your comment, Mike, except to say that Seeger NEVER regretted it, and he never gave up being a communist.

In the early days of WWII, Seeger wrote a song trashing FDR and accusing him of being a warmonger. This was due to Seeger's beloved USSR having a non-aggression pact with Hitler. As soon as Hitler attacked Russia, Seeger yanked that song back and wrote another one urging FDR to take the fight to the Nazis and offering his services as an infantryman. What a hero.

All through the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, Seeger was proudly one of Stalin's "useful idiots," offering moral cover for his butchery. Seeger only half-heartedly acknowledged the millions Stalin killed a couple of years ago. Even so, he proclaimed himself a dedicated communist right up to his death.

Seeger was a gifted songwriter, but despite his proclaimed desire for peace, he was morally corrupt and a dedicated bootlicker for fascist tyrants. The fact that so many people allow themselves to be lulled by his "peace, love, and justice" mantra into blissfully ignoring his appalling actions is beyond my comprehension.

If the man had offered his services as the court composer for Hitler, his name would be mud. Instead, he served a master (and an ideology) that slaughtered even more people... but he's a hero. Unbelievable.

JoAnn Summey link

1/28/2014 12:44:35 pm

J.P. you are such a gifted writer & each day I climb LeConte with you. I am too old to make it up there, but you bring it to me in your pictures & prose! I will continue to enjoy each entry until such time when you move on. I feel as though I've been there! God's Peace to you!

Comments are closed.

it's a hammer of justice. it's a bell of freedom. it's a song about love between my brothers and sisters all over this land.

LeConte Lodge

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