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

January 04th, 2016

1/4/2016

5 Comments

 
Picture
An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. Thoreau

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, frosty morning up top. It's the first day of the season where my fingers are cold in the kitchen! The high yesterday reached 32 degrees. The overnight low was 9 degrees. It was 10 degrees and mostly cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation and there is no snow up top. However, there is sure to be plenty of black ice on the trail with these recent cold temperatures. I intend to hike down with my Microspikes today, just in case I reach a tricky section or two. Be careful out there!

One of my favorite things about life on the mountain is just how magnified everything is - it isn't an elevated place simply because of how high it is about sea level. Time alone in a primeval setting does something unique to your experience, like a looking glass of sorts. The most basic human emotions take on an a heightened sweetness or bitterness. It is a chain of highs and lows that only the mountain can teach you. For whatever reason, when I feel up here, I really feel. A seemingly average morning run stamps itself indelibly in your memory, while the loss and longing that occur up here serve as distinctive bookmarks for each season. I never know what the fun house mirror has to say.

5 Comments
Helen Bukulmez link
1/4/2016 08:43:49 am

JP,

Should it be your choice, we have got to channel your writing to a larger audience somehow, perhaps a newspaper, a magazine, an online blog, etc... Those who are without your inspirational beginnings to their days don't know what they are missing.

Thank you for your ability to express in perfect ways the encouragement needed for each day.

Reply
Elaine
1/4/2016 09:57:30 am

Helen stated it so well, JP. How fortunate for us that you have found your place in the Smokies as we are the beneficiaries of your wise spirit. Had snowflakes in the weather forecast for last night but twas not to be. Soon maybe?

Reply
jeand
1/4/2016 10:03:28 am

Agree, Helen! JP's prose make one reflect on the joy we can find in life if we just stop, look around at nature, and take in all the beauty we are privileged to see.

It's snowing here in Knox county. Small flakes to be sure but at least it looks like winter. Maybe I'll build a fire in my fireplace in a few minutes!

Reply
norman
1/4/2016 02:57:13 pm

John Paul Krol, is the new picture on the home page in the Whites??

Reply
JP
1/5/2016 08:56:27 am

Norman,

Yes, that photo is from my fall season at Lakes of the Clouds. Coincidentally, the packers in the Whites and the packers here at LeConte Lodge both love pancakes.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    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.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Online Store

    Archives

    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    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