March 04th, 2013

3/4/2013

Rainbow Falls.

Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful morning up top. The high yesterday reached 14 degrees. The low dropped down to 1 degree. It was 5 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow, but there is still around 16 inches up top. The trails are extremely strenuous. Do not attempt to summit unless you have legitimate winter gear and a taste for the masochistic. The lodge is still CLOSED. Prepare to be self sufficient if you intend to stay at the shelter.

The snow has added an incredibly dynamic element to my last few days up top, it's fun, challenging, and, of course, stunningly beautiful - all at once. The snow is flowing off of every surface, adding a layer of awe inspiring purity to our already elegant mountain. In spite of this constant beauty, we must be reminded of the double edged sword that comes with these deep winter conditions. Sure, it's easy for me to say how glorious and wonderful it all is - I have a heated cabin to crawl back into at the end of the day, years of experience and top notch gear. It's a constant give and take with the backwoods in these kinds of conditions - fantastic visions comes with great risk. Please consider this before you enter the backcountry this week. The Park Service has had to make rescues and there have been as many close calls. Use your brain and don't take any chances - Nature can take your breath away in more ways than one.

Rexanna

3/4/2013 03:42:14 am

LOVE the tree picture. Magical.

Braska Jennea link

3/4/2013 03:44:47 am

Ice been hitting the refresh button all morning waiting on your post! Forget kids at Christmas...they have nothing on me as I eagerly await my favorite blog update!

Soooo happy you're finally getting the white winter you'd hoped for even if it is in your last days! Thank you ALL for the pictures and posts, and one day I shall hopefully meet you in person...atop "My Mountain" :)

tomk in SC

3/4/2013 03:45:01 am

Stunning photos!
The second photo catches the blue hue of twilight that I remember from growing up in WI. We couldn't wake up our parents on Christmas morning unless it was "blue out". If we woke up and it was still black outside we had to go back to bed. If it was blue we could go wake up mom & dad!
The first photo has me stymied. It is labelled Rainbow Falls, but the photo something else, or I can't see the angle. RF is framed in a long and wide apron of boulders. The picture looks more like Grotto Falls, but there is no way you could switch the two. What's the angle? Either way, stunning shots.

Dave

3/4/2013 03:59:53 am

TomK - yep, it's Rainbow Falls. The snow obscures some of the details, hiding the boulders from view, but the very distinctive 'table', or flat ledge, at the top of the Falls is clearly visible. The photo was taken from the left side of the stream from either just on the end of the bridge or just above it. It's a great shot!

3/4/2013 04:02:13 am

tomk in sc...You are right about the blue. :) Go to the 10/30/12 Archives. There were actually 2 sets of pics/comments for 10/30/12, the second set has the beautiful blue hues. They remind me of the silence of a beautiful snowfall.

Sherry M link

3/4/2013 03:45:25 am

Wonderful pictures! I haven't seen the mountain dressed like this before and it is incredibly BEAUTIFUL!

Kent

3/4/2013 03:53:21 am

Beautiful shots today.

Winter is holding on with a vengeance in many parts of the country. In my corner of the mid-west (about 200 miles south of Chicago) it hasn't been too bad this winter -- in fact, I haven't lifted a snow shovel all season. I probably could have a couple of times, but two inches just isn't enough for me to bother.

On a side note, did I just not notice before or is the naming of winter storms a recent thing? What next, the anthropomorphism of low-pressure systems?

P.S. Just four more weeks and I'll be on my way. The anticipation is making my positively goofy.

Eileen R

3/4/2013 05:37:56 am

Naming of winter storms is a new gimmick by the Weather Channel this year. They had many "reasons" for it but I think it was mainly to make the storms easier to refer to with hashtags on Twitter.

3/4/2013 06:19:24 am

That makes sense, I guess. Thanks for clearing that up.

Devin R

3/5/2013 12:18:46 am

It's funny the things that the media comes up with for the sake of social media. :)

marths orr

3/4/2013 04:02:09 am

Dying to get there this year..its on.my to do list. :)

Glenn OH

3/4/2013 05:13:51 am

Beautiful pictures got a reservation sat night mar 9th, I'll check later in the week so we make the right plans.Thanks for your input JP

Sliger

3/4/2013 05:31:31 am

My wife and I have made plans to come hike Rainbow or Alum this Saturday to the summit of Leconte. We don't have microspikes nor do we have trekking poles. I've been tossing around the idea of canceling the trip or buying poles and giving it a shot. Do you think it's a bad idea to attempt the hike without the above items? We'll be checking the weather throughout the week and thanks for the posts!

3/4/2013 06:27:16 am

I think it is a bad idea. Before you depend on poles, you ought to be practiced with them. It takes a little while for a pair of poles to become a natural extension of your person. Poles make you more comfortable and sure footed. NOT having poles simply increases the odds of trashing a knee or knocking out teeth. It would appear you are not considering microspikes. Those two facts suggest you are quite the greenhorn and the trip is ill advised. The top will be in a melt/refreeze cycle that will make things mighty slick. Alum Cave is fine except for the 1/4 mile or so before Corner Ledge/Cliff Tops. Unfortunately that segment can dump you a long ways down although it rarely happens that way. Rainbow is better, not much in the way of long falls, but the last 1/2 mile can be mighty slick. I have hiked that while icy with poles, but still a whisper from a faceplant. In a couple of weeks things will be warming up and you get a great hike with a lot less risk. If you choose to do that, buy the poles now and practice around the 'hood so they are not new to you on hike day.

Sheldon Wallace

3/4/2013 12:35:19 pm

My first hike of Leconte was with a two day old snow pack of about 6" using poles and wearing Kahtoola Mirospikes. It was my first time for both items, but I made it fine. Wouldn't suggest trying it without either. If there is more than 6" of snow, gaiters should be worn as well to keep the snow out of your boots. If you are in reasonable physical condition, have these items, and dress in layers, you should be fine.

3/5/2013 12:20:06 am

You could by them on Amazon today and overnight them or use 2-day shipping and still have them in time. They are an absolute MUST this time of year. ABSOLUTE!

Marilyn

3/4/2013 05:50:56 am

Simply stunning pictures especially the blue one! Picasso's blue period can't even come close to this picture!

Ronette Jones

3/4/2013 05:56:23 am

Love the pics, JP! So glad that you've gotten your dose of snow before you head off the mountain for the season. I, too, wait patiently for your blog each day to get my dose of the mountain and your beautiful descriptions. Thank you!

We were the first on the trail one year to Ramsey Cascades after the roads had been closed due to a big snow storm - there was not as much snow as the mountain is enjoying now but it was absolutely breathtaking to be out and about before anyone else. It was also intimidating and we were constantly reminded of JP's comment that "nature can take your breath away in more ways than one". Seeing the Falls totally iced over and the shimmer of ice and snow on and around the water is a visual I will never forget.

Ryan--La

3/4/2013 06:04:27 am

Sliger, Do not attempt going up this time of year without some sort of traction devices. Micro spikes or Yactracs and always have a trekking pole no matter what time of year. Steve D. came half way up Rainbow with me Friday and I went the rest of the way to the lodge to bring JP some supplies. The cloths you wear and your gear you bring could get you out of a tight spot one day. I try to keep my pack under 20 lbs. but like they say, its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.The NOC gear shop at the south end of Gatlinburg will have everything you need, Ask for John Northrup, a former crew member of the lodge. He just started working there and if anyone knows what you may need on Leconte it will be him. If you go in, tell him Ryan said Hi. By the way, good to put a face to a name, Thanks for the company Friday Steve D. made it uptop at 1245.

Steve D.

3/4/2013 07:08:07 am

Ryan-La-it was great meeting you also, and glad you made it alright! I figured you would, and maybe we can hike together the next time you come up. What a beautiful day we had for that hike!
Sliger-I agree completely with tomk and Ryan. The conditions are very severe right now up top, and I always find JP's advice to be right on. I hiked Alum today, but turned around about 15-20 min above the bluffs as the snow drifts were getting deeper than I wanted to mess with. The upper section of this mountain is nothing to mess with in severe conditions, and I had all of the right equipment! Have a great day all.

Mary F

3/4/2013 08:22:12 am

Absolutely stunning photos JP, as always! Glad you got the snow you so desired.

Debi

3/4/2013 08:23:59 am

I'm still waiting to take my Yax trax off. Can't walk out of my driveway without them. March tends to be a crazy month for weather. I think I need to buy some for my poor dog, shes slipping and slidding. Yes, very cold everywhere. We had 8 this morn. Brrrr!!! I think if I had touched my willow tree it wouldv'e shattered. It was so crispy looking like your tree JP. I am going to go in a complete different direction than everyone else. I sure am glad I got a summer reservation this year. We usually go up in March and I'm tired of the snow. :)
Good day everyone!

doug y

3/4/2013 10:09:22 am

Loved the photo of Rainbow Falls; although I've done a whole lot of winter camping and hiking, including Rainbow, I cannot recall if I've ever seen it covered as it is now; might have went by when there was no snow probably. Barbara: MRE's are somethng I've actually never tried when on a hiking or backpacking trip; I had been given some by a friend in the military and simply tried a couple of them out last week; they're rather bulky and toward the heavy side; not exactly the desired quantity I want, etc. They're decent, provide at least a warm meal; self-heating which is a novelty and enough for two meals as far as I'm concerned; They're not something I would carry often; perhaps on my frequent day hikes when weight isn't the main concern I'll carry one; I only have a couple of dozen of them anyway. Remember, whatever you pack in, pack the resulting trash ! On my longer backpacking journeys I naturally try to get as low as possible with weight in food and equipment. Of course, water is the heaviest item in one's pack. Freeze-dried foods are my main source of food; I sometimes prepare my own beef jerky and dried fruits with a food dehydrator and parcel them into small meals as when long distance is involved, or oftern the day hikes, I eat continually throughout the day, seldom fixing a meal; coffee and/or hot cocoa, however, is enjoyable and I make use of a small propane gas stove for those, a 'white gas' (Coleman fuel?) when the temps are lower that the propane gas unit will handle. Even when camping in the campgrounds {Elkmont is my favorite} I rarely build a fire, cooking on one of my stoves. But, as I inch toward "old age" [what exactly is that !!??] I see that I am now sometimes enjoyng a fire to sit by and just bask in its warmth, if not soley for the atmosphere. I may be an old fart, long experienced and schooled in the ways of the great outdoors, knowing how to survive in any conditions, but I am not a savage. Why, (please sit down now !) I occasionally, about once a year, actually stay in a Gatlinburg motel with a jacuzzi and fireplace !! Oooohhhh........such decadence !! On such digressions to modernity I also love baby back ribs, steak, and pancakes at the Pancake Pantry ! Mmmmmm....better stop writing about them as I'm beginning to drool ! So, experiment with different foods; trail mixes I like, cereals, Ramen noodles seem to be a 'standard', and whatever you find pleasing to you and also lightweight, etc. You'll soon discover your preferences I believe. Sliger: please, please, follow the advice tomk and Ryan offered; they are spot on it correct ! I used to participate in wilderness rescues in the Park and I've seen far too many people injured or worse from not following age-old and good advice for hking , etc. Do not take such chances. Go to NOC as suggested and talk to John Northrup; I've never met him but from what has been mentioned about him on this site he should be able to assist you thoroughly. Yes, at one time or another we were all greenhorns. Nothing to be ashamed of in that; it's better than being a statistic. Sometime perhaps I'll write a wee bit {me, write a wee bit !!??} about a disappearance of a 7-yr old boy in the Smokies in 1969 that I helped search for; never was a trace of him ever found. Ok, time for some hot cocoa here at home. Great Galloping Gertie ! Only two or three weeks until anew season at the lodge. Remember folks: "No matter where you go, there you are !" G'evening all.

Barbara

3/4/2013 10:51:17 am

Doug y - thanks, Doug, we usually do ramen noodles w dried veggies. The dehydrator sounds like a good idea - apples etc are heavy and home made jerky would be good too. Will look up some recipes. Thanks for all your good tips - clear and thoughtful.

Jp - envy your snow.

Tony Ga

3/4/2013 11:06:26 am

Peanutbutter and jelly sandwich, cheese and almond M&M's are my trail food of choice.

3/4/2013 11:38:32 am

I have told my husband when he retires I want to hike the AT. Doug, I'm bringing you with us. :)

3/4/2013 11:07:29 pm

Debi, keeping up with any good trail journals? Couple of good ones on the trail already Rash, Boo Boo, Blues man to name a few. Morris the Cat is a really interesting one (not on the trail yet) and of course waiting for Prayerwalker to return to the trail.

Gina

3/5/2013 12:20:17 am

Tony, Im keeping up with those journals also. I read all the entries every day!!! It is really cold up here in western, NC and I look up and see snow on the mountains and think of the thru hikers everyday and hope there doing ok. It looks like lots have got off the trail for a few days becuase of the weather, more snow tonight up here

3/5/2013 12:27:28 am

Gina, I live about 10 miles from Amicalola Falls State Park and the weather here has been cold, especially in the higher elevations. In the next few weeks a lot of hikers will be starting their adventures from Springer. I'm thinking about hiking up there and wishing good luck to the ones I see, maybe spread a little Trail Magic.

3/5/2013 12:50:24 am

Also, check out Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi on facebook. They are posting pics of all the Thru Hikers that pass thru.

3/5/2013 01:28:02 am

Thanks Tony, I will check it out on FB, I am from GA also (Cartersville). If you go to my business FB page (Laurel Park Inn) you can check out some shots from my winter hike on Sunday

3/5/2013 01:31:18 am

Tony I checked it out and liked their FB page, thanks. Also Aquone Hostel (on FB) near the Nantahala posts pix of some of them also

3/5/2013 01:53:52 am

Gina, check out your pics...nice. Looked cold and I especially liked the pink socks. Thanks for sharing.

3/5/2013 02:19:36 am

LOL on the socks, I like to try and be just a little feminine on the trail. Although if I ever get to follow my dream of doing a thru on the AT Im sure all of that would be lost. There are more hiking pix on my page if you scrolled down. A couple of albums from LeConte I think.

3/5/2013 02:26:45 am

Actually instead of scrolling go to albums, easier. Im gonna try and do some trail magic soon also. I wanted to do it at Newfound Gap but with the landslide and road closing I guess I want, maybe do it at Max Patch

Paul rom

3/4/2013 11:02:57 am

Slinger local news out of Knoxville is call for 6 -10 inches of snow on mt Leconte and clingmans dome this Wednesday .

3/4/2013 11:12:57 am

Barbara: One of my favorite dried fruits is apple; I soak 'em in a highly concentrated sugar solution for several days, then dry them. By the time they're done they're very light in weight ! My beef jerky requires up to 18-19 hours, but I have taken it out after only a few short ours when it still contains enough moisture to be soft and pliable, for just a snack. Good evening all !

3/4/2013 05:43:49 pm

Is there a particular dehydrator that you would recommend?

3/4/2013 08:38:41 pm

Barbara, I have the American Harvest. They used to sell it at Walmart. Mine is probably 15 years old. I used venison hamburg to make my jerky and shoot it out of the meet gun. Well, worth the 15 dollars I paid for it. The dryer comes with 4 racks, but I have 8 from another one someone gave me. I can do deer jerky hamburg in about 5 hours. Cow meat takes longer. More fat in it. 8 racks of deer jerky gets inhaled around here in about 2 days, if that.

Rebecca

3/4/2013 11:21:03 am

PBJ, M&M's, apple slices & cheese always in my pack. Good energy and satisfying.

Dd//Mich.

3/4/2013 09:35:05 pm

J.P.; your very solitude seems a double-edged sword in a way..please do be cautious up there as you revel in snowy majesty, peaceful magnificence -
mother hen.

3/4/2013 11:15:11 pm

@- _-......thank you :}

Brian N bama

3/5/2013 01:21:33 am

UGH!! I am having withdrawels, I try to not put anything on here to try and ease my pain of the "normal" life I live down here in Alabama but find myself with Mt Leconte always in my fore thoughts. I will get to come up in May to stay in the lodge but am currently struggling not to drive up the 4hrs and do an overnight in the shelter as a warm up. JP, give us our daily fix.

aristotle

3/5/2013 02:30:50 am

patience is a virtue.

3/5/2013 04:50:54 am

Barbara: sorry I didn't reply to your question immediately; I have an old(er) Waring unit; I was curious and looked some up on the internet and the American Harvest machines look like they're nice as Debi mentioned; maybe I should get a new one soon. And Debi: I WILL GO ! many thanks ! I just realized this post is going on yesterday's page as it's Tuesday the 5th now !

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March 04th, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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