it's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want.

12/18/2013

We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Morning y'all,

It's another gorgeous, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 37 degrees. The low got down to a brisk 9 degrees last night. It was 13 degrees and clear at 7am observation. It looks like we'll have another pretty clear day. The trails are in fairly tough shape. After a few thaws and refreezes, there is some tricky ice on Alum. I would definitely recommend Microspikes if you intend to summit today.

Top photo: Bear tracks around camp. Above: Size Bear vs. Size 13.

Fear limits freedom. I thought about that yesterday as I walked around during the dusklight. It's my favorite time of day, although I use the term 'day' loosely, as it the changing of the guards of day and night. They pass one another with a nod, turning the hours over to the animals. The slanted evening light, the overbearing, oncoming darkness creates a totally unique atmosphere. I feel most distinctly alive during these golden hours. If I wanted to let a socially reinforced fear of darkness conquer me, then I could hide out in my cabin. Thankfully, I've been blessed with a foolish disposition that allows me to wander around during the animal hours. The moon emerges, the snow on the path leads me home when the time comes. Who else is going to keep the stars company? And who is going to keep me company if I don't let myself go spend some time with my star friends?

Evening light at Myrtle.

Hugh

12/18/2013 12:51:56 am

Imagine how free we all would be without FEAR. Do not let it define your life.

Robin

12/18/2013 12:53:58 am

Wow! Thank you JP! As always enjoying your blog and pics.

norman

12/18/2013 01:06:44 am

what would you think that bear weights??

The Real JP

12/18/2013 01:53:34 am

Norman,
> than a JP, which is serious enough for me.
JP

Craig

12/18/2013 01:30:01 am

I worked there several years back and we had a bear frequent us that was well over 600lbs.

doug y link

12/18/2013 01:40:12 am

Your message this morning was deeply profound and meaningful JP; thank you for it; It appears that there's at least one bear who isn't hibernating; from what I see, he weighs 543.24 lbs; Nice to see those photos of his tracks in the snow. Maybe you'll see him soon. G'day

Debi

12/18/2013 06:22:11 am

You got that weight right down to the T Doug. lol :) That's one big bear! With that snow on the ground you should beable to spot him, IF he was out in the open. Love to see a picture of that.

barbara

12/18/2013 01:59:00 am

Thank yo JP beautiful and encouraging words-pictures !
to live without fear- I'm working on it : )
keep the stars company !

Melissa

12/18/2013 02:03:09 am

Beautiful words!

Mitch

12/18/2013 02:16:09 am

Enjoy your descriptions of life on Le Conte. Great writer.

12/18/2013 03:16:37 am

Once again a great day starts with you and the pics, i share your quotes often!! enjoy your day up top

Audie

12/18/2013 03:28:10 am

A quote of my own.
"Fearing death does not keep you from dying, it keeps you from living"

Kent

12/18/2013 03:58:26 am

Do you have bear repellant, JP?

12/18/2013 07:36:08 am

Kent,
I do not own bear spray. So far, he does not seem aggressive, just curious. He dislikes my air horn enough that I do not feel threatened.

12/18/2013 08:06:58 am

That's good. Yeah, I can imagine an air horn would send a bear packing.

Sunshine

12/18/2013 04:37:47 am

I look forward to reading your posts every morning. Your descriptions paint a beautiful picture in my mind. The pictures are always stunning! Thank you so much for your time.

DaveMac

12/18/2013 05:57:22 am

JP-Could you recommend a good book by an A.T. thru hiker. One that really grabs you to the point, that you don't want to put it down

12/18/2013 07:40:30 am

Dave,
I'd recommend David Brill's 'As Far as the Eye Can See'...

12/18/2013 08:05:42 am

Thanks JP for the recommendation- I need a good read for the winter months. I will only be able to hike the A.T. thru the eyes of someone else. Thanks again

Kaye

12/19/2013 01:53:48 am

JP and Dave,
That is one of my favorite's and I also recommend 'Walking with Spring', written by and or with Earl Springer, who I believe was one of the first thru hikers. I have about 20 or so books about hiking the AT. It is quite exciting to read these stories. I am hoping to join them when I retire.

Bob

12/18/2013 06:14:05 am

JP –

If you use bear repellant, I highly recommend you apply it sparingly.

The first time I put it on I used way too much, and ended up with swollen eyes (could barely see), a really runny nose, a terrible cough and very painful burning sensation on my skin – especially in my armpits (put it on like deodorant, which apparently was a mistake). Believe me – that stuff is strong! Now I spray only a little bit on my boots and exposed clothing, and use even less on the kids – just enough for the bear’s sensitive nose to detect.

Hope this helps, and thanks for the great photos and posts!

- Bob
P.S.: You no doubt already know this, but I’ve also found out it’s a big mistake to fool around with that spray while on a helicopter in flight. Turns out you’re supposed to stow it in the tail boom or ski basket. Lessons learned, eh?

AT Hiker

12/18/2013 07:44:38 am

That one is hilarious, bear repellant??

Tony V

12/18/2013 09:03:53 am

As always, Bob keeps us entertained with his adventures in the wilderness.

JP - Hope to hear you have plenty of snow this year on the mountain. The wife and I have some new gear we need to try our before our trip to Base camp in April 2014. Hope to see you soon!

-Tony / Chris

12/18/2013 11:07:25 am

I guess I'm Bob's straight-man for the day. ;)

Mtn Rose

12/18/2013 09:01:26 am

I so enjoy your words for the day. The bear track picture was terrific. I bet you really enjoy walking about. It must be an amazing experience being on MtLeconte during the winter.
Look forward to your daily post.
Have a good day.

jean d

12/18/2013 10:22:21 am

Have as my current desktop wallpaper the picture of the snow falling on the cabin porch, rocking chairs and rail from JP's report of Dec 11. It is my favorite of all the pictures so far this fall/winter. It looks as if the wind must have been blowing but since the picture has no sound, it just looks peaceful and quiet and reminds one of the serenity to be experienced when the noise of civilization is miles away and one can be alone and still. Many of the pictures lately have been of sunrises and sunsets and the many hues of color we see depending on the moisture in the air and the time of day and angle of the light. They are beautiful and enjoyable every time but the porches and rocking chairs and snow exhibit a sort of cozy view that I have experienced in East TN and especially the area near the GSM park and in areas such as Cades Cove, Elkmont, the lower part of the Alum Cave Bluff trail and Newfound Gap. When there is snow on the ground, trees, rocks, and along the creeks it is a special kind of quiet that makes one feel especially calm. So look forward to the new pictures each morning as I am having my morning tea.

Of course also look forward to reading the comments on the current,daily topic.

Love the pictures of the footprints in the snow, people's and bear's.
Those are some pretty big bear prints today! They say the bears are more afraid of you than you are of them. Let's hope that is the case with a bear as big as that one must be.

12/18/2013 11:30:15 pm

jean d : Your commentary of yesterday evening was tremendously poignant and to the point; I have copied your words into a sort of journal I'm compiling of quotes by people here on his site; Yours now rank in the top five ! Such an honest, thorough, and wonderfully sincere depiction of wintertime conditions, for one. I do so thank you for your heart-warming words and descriptions. I, too, love that Dec 11 post ! I share your perspectives and feelings ! Just great ! Now, if I can only learn how to efficiently operate this new laptop of mine ! Great Galloping Gertie !!! HELP !!! Navigating amongst its many great features is almost overwhelming me this fine Thursday morning ! The problem is that as I'm somewhat old-fashioned I'm expecting the bloody thing to work the way I'm used to, where it's going to be ME who has to change ! Ok, I'll have to gather all the patience I can manage; at least I was able to get to this blog site without any problems. I hope everyone has a great day. Remember: No matter where you go, there you are !

Robin M

12/18/2013 10:37:19 am

Hey JP!
It was so awesome to meet you on the trail yesterday! Hopefully we'll see you again in March before you leave for the season. We got out this morning and did Charlie's Bunion, it's was beautiful but Cold!
Anyway, it was a pleasure!
Take care & stay warm!

Robin & Duke

Peppermint Pattie

12/18/2013 12:07:59 pm

The bear didn't know The Lodge is closed for the winter. It wanted some hot chocolate and biscuits after hiking up the trail. / Bear spray gets sprayed at The Bear when it's to close; not sprayed on yourself or children.

Steve

12/18/2013 01:08:14 pm

Thanks for the great updates! Hope to maybe run into you on top on Thursday around noon!

Holtknoblady

12/18/2013 04:31:01 pm

So enjoyed your words today on fear. I myself did not come to these realizations till I was well beyond your age. Missed many experiences but thankfully have the time now to discover my place in this world. Still think that bear must be hungry since he hasnt gone down for his winter nap. Fortunately, JP, you are not his food of choice. Still, dont be foolish. You should be fine with your air horn. That bear repellent is tricky to use.

Sweetgreen

12/19/2013 12:12:40 am

JP-
I have again started my morning with a cup of coffee, and your inspiring words. Your thoughts on fear are so very true. I never want to let anything hold me back from experiencing this one amazing life!

Val

12/19/2013 12:24:08 am

I have lots of bear experience, I clean hot tubs in nightly rental cabins on Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg (19 years & counting). I walk around the cabins (where people don't normally walk) to access water spigots and find them laying up under decks and behind cabins, waiting on trash, food to be thrown out the back door or just napping in the sunshine. Lots have cubs with them, looking for the easy meals. I've never needed more than a loud yell to move them along. They don't want people, just our trash (unlike the grizzlies out west). The only thing that scares me in the forest here is falling trees on windy days.

benfoote

12/22/2013 02:05:57 pm

You know I have never thought of the stars as my friends before... I think I need more time alone on a mountain top. Maybe then the stars and I could really connect. I love to look at them and maybe have always treated them like distant celebrities, never thinking myself worthy to call them friends. Thanks for sharing that idea with me. Thanks for the insight on fear as well.

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it's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want.

LeConte Lodge

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