Morning y'all, It's amazing up here right now. The high yesterday reached 16 degrees. The overnight low got down to 2 degrees. It's currently 2 degrees and overcast. The mountain received 11 inches of new snow, bringing our total up to 16 inches. Unless you have a strain of Mallory or Hillary in ya, I'd stay at home and sip tea today. The trails are virtually impassable. Please be smart, the Park Service does not need to add a few rescues to their already lengthy to-do list on a brutal day like this. 
Rick Shepherd
3/3/2013 01:07:06 am
Looks like a Nuclear Snow Explo!..... Think I will volunteer for that search and rescue squad just so I can come up on the mountain!....Bet Joe Guenther of The Dayhiker down in Gatlinburg could lead us!.....Stay warm n safe!....See ya in the spring!
Keith
3/3/2013 01:13:53 am
Sitting here in W.Palm Beach, came down here to escape the cold IN winter but I have to say the thought of being on the trail in deep snow makes me want to be there. Came up Brushy Mt. Trail a few years ago, at the trailhead there wasn't any snow but by the time I got near the Lodge on the Trillium Gap trail the snow was knee deep. I was we'll prepared for the conditions and although breaking the trail in deep snow was strenuous that had to be one of my most enjoyable hikes. Something about virgin snow and knowing no one has been this way yet today. Enjoy your snow. Stay safe.
Charlotte
3/3/2013 01:21:14 am
Love the pics, kinda jealous - we got flurries here several times this weekend...driving down 411 toward the mt I could see snow caps but nothing here. Build a snowman for me & have a cup of coffee.
Mark B.
3/3/2013 02:10:11 am
Good Morning JP,
doug y
3/3/2013 02:49:27 am
Winter seems to be trying to hold on as much as it can, at least here in central KY. But the total accumulation is only about one to two inches as I've estimated it. Far from the amounts on Mt. Leconte as I see in JP's great and informative photos. Last week I spent three wonderful days hiking and camping in the Fontana area where I hadn't visited much in recent years and was thrilled to return to and partake of the scenery and atmosphere, even in winter. It was a most refreshing journey. I make the most of each and every season, and I like winter when one can see the terrain and its feastures somewhat more clearly. One day I hiked along the n.w. shore of Fontana Lake (Eagle Creek) then out to backcountry campsite no. 91. These days I am not a "fast" hiker. I'll leave it to the younger generation to get the glory and recognition of setting and breaking records. I deliberately take my time, basking contentedly in my surroundings with all my senses finely tuned to the immediate environment, as intently as possible maximizing the experiences, imprinting it permanetnly in my memory. I continued the next day out to Sassafras Gap (love that name), then following the A.T. back to the dam, a very familar section of trail. Then I went back up the trail from day one to Flint Gap, with a pleasant hike eastward, along Shehan Branch to b.c. site no. 86. This is a seldom used remote site, and I intend now to return there for a summer stay. After my second night I re-traced my route to Flint Gap and back down to b.c. site no. 90 for my final overnight. Some of you may ask about the weather and conditions I encountered. Of course, I naturally give it my full attention in my preparations and make allowances accordingly, but I simply don't worry overly about it. This surely derives from experience I believe. There was a little bit of snow, rain, wind, and cold, but all of these were just ever-changing variables for my excursions. I am driven and continually impelled by a restless spirit of curiosity, determined with all my mind, heart, and soul to retreat within myself to the only business I was born for, and which I am only good for. So, I emerge from my trails and backcountry momentarily, then plunge eagerly and excitedly again into the wild unknown, even though I am far from the first to venture there. I sincerely believe that I see beauty in places that leave others unimpressed. The writings of all us who come here to this site, visit the lodge and the Park, or wish to, are the nearest thing we have to a time machine. The age old summits of our southern Applachia offer a from of time travel to those of us, a sincere, caring, and magnificent group, who retreat to these misty hills to get a breather from modernity. When we rest on these elevated peaks we behold with rapture and astonishment a sublimely intense scene of power and magnificence, a world of mountains piled upon mountains. When I write and comment here, I seek no fame and actually have an aversion to ostentation, wanting simply and purely to share my experiences in the outdoors with those who think and feel as I do. If I can bring a smile to someone's face. or enlighten them a bit on outdoor advice, help them is some small way, I am content and rewarded. I seek nor want no marker or monument singling me out as someone special. If anything, I would want to be remembered as a kind old wanderer whose only desire was to share his thoughts and experiences. If anyone spends time in my company hiking I hope that it adds positively and pleasantly to their experiences. I do not mean to monopolize my privileges of posting and commenting here, I only like to share and admire the thoughts of others who do. Near the end of March I plan to register my own new personal website, which is currently being "built"; I hope it can be similar to this one in convenience and opportunity. I'll give details once it's ready to go into effect. Great Galloping Gertie !! Two weeks or so away from a fresh new season at the lodge ! G'day
Rexanna
3/3/2013 03:05:09 am
Mr. Y....welcome back. You were missed.
Marvin
3/3/2013 04:30:47 am
What an inspiring post Doug, I'm ready to hit the trail for about a week if I only had the time. Can't wait to get back on the Mtn. Going up for 2 days in Sept and can;t wait.
Debi
3/3/2013 03:29:43 am
You got that right Doug, winter is hanging on and NOT letting go. Even though no snow in the forcast for the next week in Michigan we started out with 16 degrees this morn. Seems like it took awhile to get here and just decided its going to stay. I hear that from Michigan to Florida. Just plain cold. Sounds like you had a great few days Doug, I enjoy hearing about your adventures. JP, you recieved your winter, ready to give it up yet and throw us out some flowers, lol.
elktonbrant
3/3/2013 03:33:04 am
JP... Enjoy (as I misquote a song from "White Christmas") washing your hands, face, and hair with snow.
Top of the World guy
3/3/2013 03:55:55 am
Came up with a couple friends up bullhead yesterday, had a late start at the trailhead at about 11:30. After realizing the previous mentions of all the blow downs, not to mention several waist high snow drifts, we made it to the rainbow falls trail junction by 4:30. So with that intense challenge, we decided to head back down the mountain via rainbow falls trail. Intense journey. Cherokee Orchard was closed, otherwise, we would have made the extra 0.6 miles to summit. Still an awesome journey provided by the brutal side of mother nature.
Randy Carnell
3/3/2013 04:33:30 am
I remember a few weeks ago when J.P. was almost begging for snow. As the old saying goes.."Be careful what you wish for" I'm really happy that you got your wish JP and I hope one day to be able to experience the same..
doug y
3/3/2013 11:30:45 am
Thanks Rexanna. I appreciate that. Up until the other day our winter here in London, KY hadn't been much of a winter, so to speak. But as I said earlier, it's now clinging to whatever sort of 'hold' it has on us. Yet, although it has "snowed" all day today and yesterday, there is extremely little accumulation because the snowfall was so very light and sporadic. A couple of times its intensity became pretty intense and dense, but every time it did that the duration was very brief. So, not much snow, plenty of cold and gray skies; simply winter as usual in central Kentucky. Yes, I, too, need to get back up on the mountain for a "refresher" course so to speak ! I came across some data this morning regarding some things I recorded a few years ago. Without going into details what was interesting, to me at least, was that Mt. Leconte is only 50 ft lower than Clingman's Dome; Cliff Tops is only 38 ft lower than that, and, of course, the lodge a bit further down. I used to carry my gps unit and recorded data from all over the Park, but now, I look back at all of it as simply useless trivia ! I guess it was the civil engineering part of my past that compelled me to record all that stuff. All I want to record now is the pure pleasure and enjoyment that happily affect my senses when I'm out hiking or at the lodge. I didn't mention in my earlier post that I tried out a couple of those new military MRE's during my trip last week. They do provide a good warm meal, and there's enough in each one to make two meals for me as I eat lightly whenever I'm hoofing it. But the weight of these MRE's is pretty heavy to carry along on a hike of much length. It was an interesting diversion from the usual cooking I do on an overnight hike at least. Good evening all !
Barbara
3/3/2013 06:23:49 pm
Doug y- your 2 posts are well written and fine motivation to get out and backpack! What kind of food do you take when it's not MREs? We always take too much and too heavy. We haven't learned yet. Would like some advice..
tnrs
3/4/2013 02:22:58 am
it just keeps looking more beautiful.
Will
3/4/2013 06:52:53 am
Great time on top of Leconte Saturday night. What a hike! Took us 8 hours during the snow storm. Was worth all the misery once we reached the top. Great to finally meet you JP. Enjoy your last few days up there. Comments are closed.
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