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just believe and you can do. you know my heart it beats for you.

12/19/2014

 
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If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature; and the greatest of these things, at least the most constant and always at hand, is nature. Nature we have always with us, an inexhaustible storehouse of that which moves the heart, appeals to the mind, and fires the imagination - health to the body, a stimulus to the intellect, and joy to the soul. John Burroughs
Morning y'all,

It's another stunning morning up top. The mountain was in a cloud for the majority of yesterday evening, yet things have cleared out here and it is stunning in the morning light. The high yesterday reached 38 degrees. The overnight low was 24 degrees. It was 25 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation and there is no snow remaining up top. I am sure the Boulevard and other trails have bits of snow in shady sections, so be prepared if you intend to summit. I am hoping the forecasts are correct and the mountain will wake up to a bit of snow tomorrow morning!
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Top photo: LeConte Massif! Above: Views out towards Clingmans!
The mountain has had many more undercasts than I recall from past seasons. I do not know if there are any meteorology folks out there, but I'd be curious to know why this appears to have been the case so far this season. Whatever the reason for all these inversions, they are one of the more breathtaking aspects of life up top. I am grateful for their strange calm, they lend a truly otherwordly feel to my mornings. The clouds obscuring any signs of civilization make it easier for my imagination to run wild, allowing me to indulge in fantasies about being an intrepid explorer of some far away land. It's the little things. And who knows, maybe these inversions are an indicator of heavy January and February snows? A boy can dream.
mike
12/19/2014 12:45:03 am

Hey Ruthie...planning on making the trek to the top on Monday via Alum Cave trail. Taking into consideration forecast (high 39), do you think traction devices will be needed. Also, given trail conditions, what do you think a realistic trek time (up and back) is? Thanks!

stephen
12/19/2014 01:14:28 am

It's JP up tip for the Winter, I'm sure Ruthie is somewhere closer to civilization lol....but I'll try to answer...if snowfalls anytime between now and then traction(microspikes) would definitely be needed...there is about a 20 degree swing in temperature from gatlinburg to Mt Leconte so keep that in mind....as far goes as time to leave, I would leave no later than 2:30 or 3pm to make it down alum before dark..hope that helps a little bit

Mike
12/19/2014 01:18:48 am

Thanks JP! What about your estimate on how long it will take to make the trip up to the top?

Stephen
12/19/2014 01:22:26 am

Total trek time depends largely on your ability and preference of hiking speed. If you take your time and hang out up top for awhile.....9 hour round trip.....if you huff it all the way up and down without spending anytime up top 5 hours

Josh Branson link
12/19/2014 02:06:11 am

That's it! I've been trying to catch, and photograph one of those cloud inversions for quite some time...I'm heading up there this weekend. Is there a particular time of the day that's best for seeing/photographing one of those inversions?

norman
12/19/2014 04:34:14 am

Mike, what are you smoking?? & Stephen you are JP!

Sstephen
12/19/2014 04:42:12 am

Lol... I wasn't trying to be JP...I just knew I could probably answer before he had time to check again ;)

norman
12/19/2014 05:39:47 am

Steohen, i did't mean you were trying to be JP. Forgive me. You did a good job.

norman
12/19/2014 05:43:13 am

Stephen = it's early!

Rick
12/19/2014 11:48:44 am

This blog is getting as bad as the Go smoky blog!!

norman
12/19/2014 02:03:19 pm

And what's your problem?

Rick
12/22/2014 02:53:58 am

Read your post and you will see Norman


Comments are closed.
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