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January 24th, 2017

1/24/2017

9 Comments

 
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For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snowstorms and rainstorms, and did my duty faithfully, though I never received one cent for it. Thoreau

Morning y'all,
It's a beautiful, cold morning up top. The high yesterday reached 35 degrees. The overnight low was 26 degrees. It was 27 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received 1.17 inches of liquid precipitation yesterday and there is no snow up top. There is plenty of glaze ice, so be prepared for slick conditions if you intend to reach the summit. The trails are sure to be treacherous, be sure to turn around if you feel uncomfortable. Going down slick trails is a heck of a lot harder than coming up them.

This little spell of 'dying weather' has been a joy up top. It's always comforting to return to a warm cabin after conditions like we've had the past two days. It was raining hard for most of yesterday - a cold rain that pushes through the best jackets and begs you to go hypothermic. It was a full on ordeal just to go for a brief walk around camp - lots of layers, a thick buff, hat and gloves. It was still alarmingly miserable. On the plus side, we didn't see anybody trying to brave the conditions. The glaze ice around camp is sketchy right now, but this front is supposed to pass sometime this afternoon. Around then, we'll take a break from all this inside time and revel in the newfound sunshine. The joys of mountain weather are its' variety - and while I wish we had snow, these terrible weather days only make you more appreciative once the sun finally returns.

9 Comments
Paul Sanders
1/24/2017 02:56:17 pm

Franklin, regarding your posts of the 20th, this is probably not the vehicle for such musings, but, just wanted to let you know you are not alone in your feelings. I share them.

Along with my love of the mountain and the Lodge!!

Reply
norman ga.
1/24/2017 03:33:33 pm

Paul & Franklin > check out Jenifer's comment the 20th!

Reply
Franklin
1/24/2017 03:45:21 pm

Thanks Paul I appreciate that. Had a negative comment or two. Guess some want to live in the bubble. I prefer to see things clearly. Hope you have a great day.

Reply
Tammy (Tx)
1/24/2017 10:43:24 pm

First, I want to say "hey" to Norman. Haven't seen a post from you in a while. Happy to see you're alive and hope you are well! LOL

The picture today is very nice! Wondering if that's a Mountain Ash? The ones with the beautiful red berries. They were on the trees back in October. Just surprised to see that they haven't fallen off. If so, I bet they are really beautiful dusted with frost or snow.

Franklin, how I interpreted your post the other day wasn't that you were fearful of the mountain, but of what's going on in the world around us. I bet alot of folks are afraid. But, all will be fine. Tomorrow will be another beautiful day, and the day after that.... I can tell you that the small amount of time I get to spend in the park, hiking and wandering in the woods, always washes my troubles away, even for those brief moments. Peace.

Reply
JP
1/26/2017 08:04:24 am

Tammy,

Those are Mountain Ash. It's the reason the bears are still exploring up top - the temps are warm enough that the berries haven't dropped yet and the bears are out roaming when it's 49 degrees on top....

Best,
JP

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Chris Schultz
1/25/2017 08:00:48 am

Today looks like it's going to be another beautiful day in the mountains and around much of the country.

Look outside and you will will witnesses to the sun wrestling control from the dark of night. It's so great to once again have our paths lite so brightly and free of shadows.

Get out and hike!

Reply
mcculley
1/25/2017 09:36:14 pm

tammy ....tx.........
some day i would love to sit and talk with you on top of le conte
i have had some health things , like you, but i'm going to be hiking the mtn. in a few months
;please keep up the good fight

j.p. thank you for keeping this alive

Reply
Tammy (Tx)
1/29/2017 11:20:44 pm

Mcculley, since you reached out to me, I thought I would reach out to you. We most likely will not be back in the Smokies until mid June. And, for sure in late October. We have reservations to stay at the lodge again this year. Hiking up to LeConte is a tough day for me, but I hope to complete all five trails leading to LeConte in October as well. If you would like to message privately, I'm a member of Gosmokies and you can go to their website and send me a friend request and I'll email you. The best of luck with what ever is going on with you! I can say for sure that Mt LeConte and the Smokies "cures" what ever ails me if only temporarily!

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Jeff Proper. (also JP)
1/26/2017 10:05:41 pm

First timer hiking up to the lodge of Mt. LeCounte. Made it on the Alum Cave trail later than I wanted and made the tough hike up to the lodge at 3pm. The air was crisp and clean, and the view as spectacular. Wish I could pistol a few pictures for others to see. I have reservations late June to spend the night and looking forward to it very much!

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