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March 01st, 2017

3/1/2017

7 Comments

 
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Such beauty that for a minute death and ambition, even love, doesn't enter into this. Happiness. It comes on unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really, any early morning talk about it. Raymond Carver

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, warm morning up top. The high yesterday reached 51 degrees. The overnight low was 43 degrees. It was 43 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received .50 inches of rain yesterday afternoon and evening. There is no snow up top. The trails are sure to have some runoff after yesterday's rain, be prepared for wet socks if you intend to reach the summit today! Get out and enjoy this quiet, warm day!

I had a really wet hike back up to the lodge yesterday afternoon. I love hikes like this, I tell myself while shivering in the parking lot, as they make me nostalgic for suffer fests of the pasts while also serving as great preparation for the Whites. It was 48 degrees at the Alum Cave trailhead, but the wind was whipping and you could see your breath in spurts. My new rain jacket comes on Friday, so my old dead rain jacket would have to do for one final hike in tough conditions. I threw it on over my running pack to keep my valuables dry, cinched my hood and started jogging. It was a relief to know that with each passing section I was getting a bit closer to my dry, warm cabin. I hardly remember most of the hike. I told myself that as long as I was moving, I was doing great. This was a lie, of course. I was soaking wet and shivering, but even as I was objectively struggling, I had fully convinced myself that this type of suffering is a necessity. If I were to avoid conditions like this, think of how much living I'd be missing out on! It's a privelege to be able to get out in truly miserable conditions, as they make you simple in the best way. I just needed to have my basic needs restored, with dry layers and warm cup of tea. That whole process makes you richer, establishing a new impoverished baseline allows the basic, overlooked parts of life feel like luxuries - which they are.
7 Comments
mcculley
3/1/2017 10:51:59 am


i think this one takes the cake.......my top.....
the way you use technology to describe Nature is a real gift.....
i believe Nature and technology to be disconnected to each other........

this Nature / wisdom connect ( understanding the positive benefits of the suffer-fest for example) is part of the discovery of the so called primitive peoples , like the dove, are so simple and wise

we consider ourselves to be wise in our own eyes but we have developed a cunningness of the brain that we can improve on Nature.....make life safe and comfortable.........improve on Nature by going against it......that conflict damages us
you have a close to perfect blend of Nature and technology and awareness that brings me to mt. leconte every day
thanks........

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ric
3/1/2017 11:41:24 am

from the look of the weather reports, miserable conditions are on the way, if only for a few hours. find something sturdy to hang on to.

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Mike W
3/1/2017 12:35:26 pm

Sounds like good ultra run training JP. One has to accept the pain and exhaustion as the new norm and continue on.
I hope you and Grace are safe from this wind we are receiving today.

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Rob Hutchins
3/1/2017 03:43:44 pm

I want to thank you for your daily posts this winter. I have thoroughly enjoyed them
My daughter, 9 yr old grandson and I spent the night at LeConte Lodge last April. My wife and I did a day hike to the lodge via Alum Cave 45 years ago. I am now 70 years old and hope to make it to the top several more times now that I am retired and have more time. I have a special love for the Smokies.

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Matt Fremon
3/1/2017 04:31:33 pm

Heading up on Friday....Looks like it'll be brutal up top! 😒

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Robin Meyer
3/2/2017 08:05:48 am

JP... you inspire me... I'm running my very first 5K on Saturday... and I owe that to you! Thank you for being you...

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Jay W
3/2/2017 10:50:21 am

Great narrative, JP, and so true. Enduring the tough times may not be fun at the time, but I believe it does make you stronger and gives a feeling of accomplishment. I've enjoyed your posts. Thanks for what you bring to us on the blog.

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