High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

it's hard to remember it's hard to remember to live before you die.

1/14/2012

 
Picture
Standing there, gaping at this monstrous and inhuman spectacle of rock and cloud and sky and space, I feel a ridiculous greed and possessiveness come over me. I want to know it all, possess it all, embrace the entire scene intimately, deeply, totally, as a man desires a beautiful woman. An insane wish? Perhaps not - at least there's nothing else, no one human, to dispute possession with me. Ed Abbey
Picture
I love raw simplicity of AT shelters.
Morning,

It was a bitterly cold, yet stunning day yesterday. The low was 1.5 degrees. The high was 13. It was 6 and clear at observation. There is still 4-6 inches on the ground. It's pretty fluffy, so the drifts are deep in spots. Bring gaiters if you want to keep your feet dry!

Breaking trail on the way out to Myrtle Point, out of breath with primal excitement, I've been moving past my normal pace to keep warm. I stop suddenly at Apollo Overlook, taking myself out of my walking mind, blood rushes as I am able to take a moment and absorb my surroundings. Take a moment or take a year, it doesn't matter on days like today - as long as you don't mind frozen nose hairs. Looking towards Newfound Gap, the familiar glint of cars in the distance is not present today. 441 is closed and I have the park to my wildlonesomeself. The sense of wonder has not worn off.

Picture
Top photo: The opening near Cliff Tops junction. Above: Smoky Mountain high.
Picture
Drifts in the snow.
Picture
Jim H
1/14/2012 03:04:45 am

Fantastic photo's. wish I was there.

Galen
1/14/2012 03:30:56 am

Great pics again JP. Love the bottom one, a sculptor couldn't have done any better.
My vote is to have JP back again next year as winter caretaker. Anyone else like to add their vote. Enjoy the snow JP and keep safe.

Nery
1/14/2012 03:55:34 am

This is my first year keeping up with a blog! JP just keeps me coming back for more everyday with his writting style, qoutes & pics. His got my vote too!

Kay
1/14/2012 07:39:22 am

Yes, JP, please come back next winter!!! I so missed blogs last year!!! Yours are so beautiful - words and photos!

Don P.
1/14/2012 03:41:20 am

J.P., gorgeous pictures. You are doing a fantastic job with the blog. Thanks

Jonathan
1/14/2012 05:13:36 am

What awesome shots JP. Enjoy the solitude and beauty today.

BRIAN N BAMA
1/14/2012 05:31:30 am

love seeing the snow pics. hiked up nov 17, 2011 and it snowed on us then. i knew when i was warming by the fire before supper that night that you would be a great winter caretaker with pics and blogs

sandee link
1/14/2012 06:00:06 am

AWESOME pictures!! stay warm and stay safe :)

Nancy
1/14/2012 07:17:23 am

I just love to watch the pictures you post! It is SO beautiful there!

Debi link
1/14/2012 07:37:32 am

Beautiful pics JP

Jacque J
1/14/2012 07:59:23 am

Wow! What beautiful pictures. Great job! Stay safe and warm.Can't wait to see more pics tomorrow!

Jacque J
1/14/2012 07:59:23 am

Wow! What beautiful pictures. Great job! Stay safe and warm.Can't wait to see more pics tomorrow!

Barb
1/14/2012 08:03:32 am

Love seeing the snow pictures while I'm warm and cozy inside! You're a great photographer!

Charla link
1/14/2012 08:43:02 am

I just wanted to say that I enjoy your posts so much! Your words and your photographs are beautiful!

DianeF
1/14/2012 08:48:51 am

Glad you finally got your snow!!!

Jacob
1/14/2012 09:19:34 am

You are the luckiest person east of the Mississippi. Cool pics and thanks again.

henry mitchell link
1/14/2012 09:42:02 am

"I close my mouth with a sigh, here
and open it with a shout of joy-
There!"
-Jalaluddin Rumi

JP
1/15/2012 12:07:48 pm

Love it Henry. Keep on commenting!

Vicky
1/14/2012 10:36:12 am

lovely.......thanks so much. We love being a part of the mountain in the winter....

Sherleen & Bob
1/14/2012 10:50:49 am

Good job J.P. We so enjoy your pics & captions & all U put on your blog.Come back next winter.You have our votes.

rebecca
1/14/2012 01:22:50 pm

"ICE STATION .....JP"

Simply Put!

Mitchell McKay
1/14/2012 03:40:31 pm

Enjoy your pics and comments. Looking forward to July when we stay at Leconte again. Keep up the great job.

Doug Y.
1/14/2012 10:12:55 pm

My imagination may be working overtime but your bottom photo reminds me of the Mercury of mythology with his winged hat and sandals and a caduceus, or herald's staff; In ancient Celtic regions Mercury was portrayed with three heads or faces; Your snow and ice photos, JP, could make an album of their own; Jacob, above, was right: You're the luckiest person east of the Mississippi, and are probably one of the highest as well;

Jo
1/15/2012 12:32:42 am

Thanks for the wonderfull pics JP!!!!! I am happy for you that you are finally getting "your" snow!!

Alan
1/15/2012 01:06:34 am

Great pics and stories JP!

Mark
1/15/2012 02:03:09 am

Your blog was given to me by The Ghost Whisperer,who is also my niece,and I get to live in Tennessee vicariously through beautiful pictures and words such as you and she give to me on a day to day basis.They take my breath away.I can imagine just how it must be to be there and stand in awe as you take in it's beauty. Just wanted to say thanks,glad you got your snow,and we all want you back next near.Hope you're alright with that. :)

Connie Warford
1/15/2012 05:38:00 am

AWESOME pictures! I love your blog...thanks so much for taking time to share with us. Stay safe!

tim w
1/15/2012 05:59:27 am

stayed at shelter 10 years ago looks like its been rebuilt better sence then has it ?


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable.  Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain!

    For information regarding GSMNP's new paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    Online Store

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture