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January 07th, 2017

1/7/2017

8 Comments

 
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back into the rough, uncharted pinewoods where I have lived so much of my life, where everything is so quick and uncertain, so glancing, so improbable, so real. Mary Oliver

Morning y'all,
It's a beautiful, snowy morning up top! The high yesterday reached 21 degrees. The overnight low was 2 degrees. It was 2 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received 3 inches of new snow overnight and there is 3 inches of total snow on the ground. There is sure to be some black ice lurking beneath the fresh powder, so please be sure to wear traction if you intend to reach the summit. It is still bitter cold out and is supposed to remain so all day. Please be prepared for the conditions. Get out and enjoy the snowy bliss!
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​I had a memorable hike up Rainbow yesterday morning. I took a valley night (thanks for watching the lodge Peanut!) to go to my friend James' Trail Running Film Festival in Knoxville and had a lovely morning for hiking back up. After another great breakfast at Crockett's Breakfast Camp, Grace and I got to Cherokee Orchard road around 10:30. The trail was in surprisingly difficult shape - there was a very thin layer of black ice on almost every rock, so unless you were standing on soil, you would lose your footing every so often. The light was phenomenal - a bright fog that allowed you to be in your own little world about 50 feet at a time. I saw a stag rather early, he watched me for about 10 seconds then bolted into the ether with pure style and grace. You couldn't see the Falls from the trail, which was fine, I was in a mood eager to move and get settled up top before the winter weather came in. The upper sections between the Falls and Rocky Spur were a mixture of fire damage and hoar frost, creating an eerieness that made my spine tingle. By the time I reached Rocky Spur and the home stretch, things were clearing a bit. It was 18 degrees when I made it into the kitchen. I got some hot water going and sat back and waited for the show.

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8 Comments
Tom C.
1/7/2017 10:44:38 am

Good post JP!

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Sharon Goodwin
1/7/2017 10:54:54 am

Wonderful updates... thank you!

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Mary Anne Rudolph
1/7/2017 11:33:06 am

We have at least 6 inches in Cosby and it is still snowing!! How strange is it that the valley got more than the mountains. We live on a steep curvy driveway, which allows a great view, but is difficult to clear. Shovels and brooms. No, we don't have to go anywhere, but just feels safer to be able to get out if we must. Hot coffee sounds great right now.

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Mike
1/7/2017 11:51:34 am

The top photo looks like "Jefferson" rock. Is that correct?

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JP
1/7/2017 12:36:50 pm

Mike,

Yes, that is what I have taken to calling 'Jefferson rock'. I think it looks like a profile of him! It is at about 4,900 feet on the Rainbow Falls trail, just before a few of my favorite formerly hidden rock outcroppings!

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AC
1/7/2017 12:07:27 pm

Great pictures! Always enjoy reading your posts.

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Toolbox's Wife, Angie
1/7/2017 07:06:34 pm

It is very beautiful at our favorite place, Mt. LeConte. But how odd not as much snow as Chestnut Top trail at the Townsend Wye. The ridges had at least 6". Stay warm and well up there! 👍👍

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Tammy (Tx)
1/7/2017 11:10:31 pm

JP, I was just wondering if you were able to do all the hiking you set off to do during your off season.....Colorado Trail and John Muir Trail (?). I started off checking your posts on Instagram from time to time this past summer. But, simply forgot to keep up. We were headed to Durango in late July, and I was excited about getting to hike part of that end of the Colorado Trail. But, my doctor nipped that in the bud. I can no longer be above 10,000 (except in a plane). Not even in a car. I love heights and no more 12,000 to 14,000 footers for me. If you have a lazy day and feel inclined to tell us about your adventures, I'm sure some of us would love to hear about it. Thanks!

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