 Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. TS Eliot Morning y'all, It's a foggy, warm morning up top. The high yesterday reached 39 degrees. The overnight low was 10 degrees, recorded early yesterday morning. It is currently 35 degrees and raining lightly. The mountain received .02" of drizzle. The snow levels have dropped to about 18 inches, although the drifts are plenty deep in spots. I postholed on the way to the kitchen, so expect some frustrating conditions if you intend to reach the summit. It looks like it is shaping up to be an alluring Smoky Mountain day, get out and enjoy it!  Top photo: Snowshoeing down on Friday! Such perfect powpowpow. Above: Walking the closed Cherokee Orchard road when I got down...  Jumping the gate at mile 18, per tradition!  Some happy animals... I've spent the past ten days all over the place. It has been a whirlwind in all the right ways. It has given me new eyes and allowed me to appreciate all the seemingly minute pleasures about getting to call the lodge home. I've been driven to exhaustion by travel and physical activity, but it is all worth it for those final, redemptive snowshoe steps down the main staircase. It is a wonderful sense of relief knowing that I can spend the week recovering from my efforts in my cabin with my forever fascinating book friends, some good dark coffee and a dead tired yet happy heart. I will keep my eyes sharp and my soul hearty with some little night hikes - this bright moon and new snow is just too much to pass up... A big thank you to my incredible trail angels who made all this possible - the Jones', the Underwoods, TT, Dick & Al, Sherry and my Mom! I am so grateful.  The clouds welcomed me back to my favorite Porch.
8 Comments
J.P.what an amazing person you are! The pics and event happenings hit me in my soft part,wish I could be in the Mts.but a little old for the wonderful times you are having and just amaze in how you like the outdoors etc.I am sure your biography would be the most interesting book I could read,and I love to read.Why don't you have one printed and send to me.!!!you have just made my day.Keep up the good work and visit with us like you did 2 or 3 yrs.ago.
Woody
1/26/2016 10:09:37 am
What JP failed to mention was that from a field of over 400 he came in 8th in the Mountain Mist race! Way to go Ocho!
JP
1/28/2016 08:03:33 am
Thanks for the syrup Woody! It tastes like Vermont!
Paula B.
1/26/2016 10:31:33 am
I am so glad you're back on the mountain!! I almost went into withdrawal not having your blog to read. So glad you had a good time on your adventures and I hope you will share many of them with us. I agree with tgb, you definitely should write a book. I would certainly buy it!
barrie b
1/26/2016 12:28:38 pm
How do you get to the trail heads when the roads are closed? And what trail did you come up? It must have quite a slog with such deep snow. Glad you made it back. Barrie b
phillip
1/26/2016 06:34:40 pm
barrie b : walk
Val
1/27/2016 11:02:42 pm
Yes JP, more details please! lol
JP
1/28/2016 08:05:01 am
I walk to the trailhead. The gate was closed at Twin Creeks, so I walked the road for 2 miles before reaching Rainbow. It was my longest ever hike up the mountain - 4:30. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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