January 13th, 2020

Good day to you all,

I am enjoying a hot cup of tea in the kitchen, curiously looking out the back screen door. It is currently 42 degrees and partly cloudy, light blue hues blend the sky and the valley floor into one. Winds are still howling, just not as loud as before. Rather than heading out to Myrtle Point for sunrise, I made an executive decision to stay around the lodge. With cloud cover above and sub-par visibility below, the oranges and reds I've grown to love are absent on this Monday morning. All roads remain open as of right now, no more nasty weather is predicted until tomorrow. There are risks of thunderstorms and rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, so get out while you can! As always, proceed with caution. Look for downed trees and debris along the way. Upon exploring the Trillium Gap trail yesterday, I came across a couple of downed trees and copious limbs on the trail. There is a large downed tree over the trail about half a mile from the top. You can shimmy between the branches, but it'll definitely a huge obstacle in your path. I will be hiking down Alum Cave today, so I'll report my findings on here tomorrow! Stay safe out there, folks...

The high temperature was 50 degrees yesterday, with a low of 40. What a day to be alive! Clear skies, to my surprise, after two gloomy and windy days back to back! Conditions resembled a late Spring afternoon, with mild temps and calm wind. With the roads being opened later in the morning, I hardly saw anyone up top until lunchtime. I took the time to venture down to Brushy Mountain yesterday afternoon, and I didn't see a soul along the way. I abandoned my heavy winter coat and long johns, feeling light as a feather cruising up and down the mountain...

01/12/2020

"Shortly after refilling my water reservoir, I did some last minute stretching and hit the high road. The first half mile was like walking in a dried-out ditch, loose rocks and mud lined the path. One wrong move, and I could be a crutches for a few weeks. Trillium Gap has always been my favorite trail on the North side of the mountain, and for good reason. An intimate forest path with great timber, rock walls, and cascading creeks; my cup of tea. Throughout my progression, I took the time to look through the leafless trees. Towering mountains and deep valleys to my right; the Smokies Crest was ever present. Staring my favorite mountains in the face, I yearned to be out there. I thought a lot about perspective. I have traveled for miles, early mornings and strenuous climbs, to see certain perspectives. Personally, I can't get enough of it in this park! Upon crossing creeks, hopping over downed trees, and skipping over large rocks, I was closing in. The summit was picturesque, so I answered the call. Looking almost dead East, I admired the crest from a far. To the South, the mighty LeConte casts a dark shadow over its neighbors. Scanning the top of the world-renowned peak, I noticed something; between High Top and Cliff Tops. A small reflection, from one of the cabins I assume. If I was unsure where to go earlier, I was certain now!"

-Kemp