March 06th, 2013

3/6/2013

a foreboding sunset before the storm.

Morning y'all,

It's another blustery, snowy day up top. The high yesterday reached 38 degrees. The overnight low reached 7 degrees. It was 9 degrees and snowing at 7am observation. The mountain received .35" of rain before turning to snow yesterday afternoon. In those heavy, wet conditions we got down to 8 inches of snow on the ground... then received another 6 inches overnight, bringing our total up to 14 inches. The drifts are very deep up top. Gaiters, waterproof pants and the whole gamut of winter gear are a must. Please use your brain, the Park Service has their hands full trying to open the roads - they don't need any unnecessary search and rescues to take care of as well.

On a lighter note, today's conditions reminded me of a poem I'd like to share with y'all. Enjoy!

drifts, cabin, bliss.

Tracy

3/6/2013 02:57:41 am

J.P. the picture is beautiful!!!!! I couldn't wait till you posted today. Thank you for sharing the poem. I live vicariously through your posts. Stay warm and enjoy.

Christy

3/6/2013 03:05:28 am

LOVE the pic of the cabin and snow drifts! Bliss indeed!

Sharon Hasting

3/6/2013 03:14:47 am

Oh, so beautiful! Hope you enjoy the snow JP. Wish we could have gotten some here in AL. Been hoping for it all winter, but looks like I'll have to wait until next year! Enjoy what time you have left on the mtn., and please keep posting the beautiful pictures of the snow!!!!

doug y

3/6/2013 03:21:58 am

JP: very nice photo this morning ! very nice indeed. the "drifts, cabin, bliss" photo was likewise a very good one - - - peaceful, tranquil, solitude.................the poem was one I hadn't seen in many years and I appreciate your reference to it. thank you. Regarding cell phones as a part of my hiking gear, well, I'm certainly not against having one along; I simply don't. I often take along my new camera {Nikon AW100} when I anticipate the desire to compile some photos of a particular route I'm "renewing", perhaps being on a trail at a different time of the year than previously. Otherwise, I don't even take a wristwatch. One of these days, though, I might just sleep past the morning breakfast bell ! I'd hate to miss that meal. It boils down to personal preferences again; One of the appeals of the lodge, as I'm sure it is for many others here, IS the LACK of technology available up there. susan b: I loved your story; it was what has made my morning more enjoyable ! Mary F: I'll always have numerous hikes of varying lengths planned, some of which I just won't have time to include in my schedule, like I'm really that busy. I plan far too many little journeys than I can humanly tackle, but in the planning I receive great pleasure. I love sharing my experiences, not for personal gain nor attention, but purely because I like the sharing with those of similar thinking. But I'm going through a relatively difficult time with a deteriorating right knee. It seems that the bloody thing is "wearing out". I hike as often as I can manage, and I do so with some pain, but I choose to ignore that, for now at least. I am not some super athlete that goes on with my outdoor activities despite a little ailment, I don't have that much discomfort, just the beginnings of a possible problem. The only thing that bothers me is that it could possibly interfere with my hiking for a while should I require knee replacement surgery, but that's not a big concern at the moment. I shouldn't even be mentioning it I suppose. Yes, I'll hike as long as I can get to the Park ! I like the advice that everyone who comes here offers regarding getting out into the severe weather conditions for those who may not have enough experience in doing so. I cannot add to that except that I concur greatly and also tell those who are considering it to not do it unless they have the experience and gear with which to pursue such journeys. I think I'll look up Logfellow's works sometime today - - - that poem JP referred to made me realize that I have been neglecting some authors that I have missed for too long a time now. Good day all.

Kent

3/6/2013 03:27:21 am

Thanks for the poem, JP.

Whenever I spend some time reading 19th century literature, I have this strong urge to resurrect the word “countenance.”

“As I dream of a journey just four weeks away, my sour countenance morphs to one one of anticipatory glee.”

Marilyn

3/6/2013 03:35:05 am

We got about 4 inches of snow here in North Central Indiana and it was beautiful when it was falling. Now that it has settled and the plows have disturbed nature's picture it is not nearly as stunning as the ones you posted today of the mountain. Wish I were snowed in up there!

Mary

3/6/2013 03:38:26 am

Love the pictures and reading your blog. Thank you so much for sharing the beauty of the mountain. Snow here in Gatlinburg also
and it makes everything look clean and serene.

Ryan--La

3/6/2013 04:18:40 am

Nice picture JP, and I'am just thinking of last Friday how I was sitting at that very picnic table after whipping of the snow. I was eating a turkey sandwitch and blueberry muffin from Old Dads. Was the jerkey alrite, and what is that sitting on the tie up post across from the table?

Glenn TN

3/6/2013 01:23:11 pm

I think that could be a mop or old broom that is leaning against rail.What do you think ?

Tonya McClellan

3/6/2013 04:20:54 am

Beautiful!

Woody

3/6/2013 04:39:50 am

I hope your are finally getting to use your skis! The conditions should be good with an 8" base and the new, fresh stuff on top.

Debi

3/6/2013 04:47:25 am

Wow! Is it white up there.
No snow in Ludington, Michigan. 48 and my driveway has almost melted off to a muddy mess. Enjoy that blizzard JP :)
Love the cabin picture. Makes a great screen saver for the day.

Gina

3/6/2013 09:37:05 am

are you near Sterling Heights? I have a good friend there

Rob Gunter link

3/6/2013 05:06:06 am

Thanks for the post. I am hoping to venture up the mountain tomorrow morning. I have all the right gear and have been waiting for a chance to get out in some snow since returning from Mount Elbert this past September...

Cindy Wisnieski

3/6/2013 05:08:20 am

Beautifully stated, JP!! Your photo is so magical, peaceful and reflective of the inner joy that you are experiencing! I will certainly miss your daily postings when you leave. Thx for always sharing your inner thoughts with all of us! Your heartfelt writing means alot to those of us who love those mountains and the joy they bring!!

Dar

3/6/2013 06:35:17 am

Looks like at this moment the snow is getting deeper on top, it's like your getting a snowy send off JP, just what you ordered.

the photos should be great in the morning.

Nancy M

3/6/2013 06:52:42 am

Wanted to let you know before you leave the mountain, how much I have enjoyed your pictures and postings. Especially the recent snow ones. I have been fortunate to come up top but that was by horseback. Will never forget the experience of coming down in the pouring rain on an English saddle and the guy in front of me flips over the head of his horse! And he was on a Western saddle! Now I have an orthopedic surgeon that says no more mountains so my hiking is limited. Some one a couple of days ago suggested that you do a book....I agree!

elktonbrant

3/6/2013 07:02:50 am

JP...

You may have missed the snowpocalypse in October, but thankfully, your two years of patience and hopes for snow are finally paying off in the past few weeks. Enjoy the bliss and solitude!

Tony Phillips

3/6/2013 07:05:17 am

Does anyone know the conditions of the trails since this last snow? Particularly Rainbow Falls, Bullhead, and Trillium Gap? I am speaking mainly of downed trees and blocked trails but also of snow and ice amounts. I went down Bullhead a few weeks ago and there were so many downed trees it took me an extra hour or more than usual. Very difficult. Not sure if those have even been cleaned up yet plus maybe more new downed trees. Thanks!

Rebeca

3/6/2013 07:25:22 am

The glass is more than half filled this season!

Ryan--La

3/6/2013 07:41:22 am

Tony, I went up and down Rainbow last Friday and it was OK. No blowdowns a little slick on the upper half. A party of nine made it up before I left and said they were going down Bullhead, but I told them two hikers at the Pancake Pantry that morning mentioned of 20 trees down. Two came down Rainbow with me and seven went down Bullhead. Saw them the next day behind Sugarland and confirmed the downed trees. Rainbow should have some drifts in the upper half, but as JP mentioned this morning, Good idea to let it melt abit. I wouldn't even try Trillium till the lodge opens, the park sevice will clear it for the Lamas.

Connie Kerns link

3/6/2013 09:39:32 am

Someone a while back was looking for a Hudson Bay blanket. We bought ours at L.L. Bean probably 30 yrs. ago. I checked and they still carry them. Also available at Cabela's. Sorry I don't rember who was searching for one, but they are still being sold.

Scott

3/6/2013 09:55:06 am

JP you have been doing a great job again this year. Thanks so much. When does the regular crew return and the Lodge start opening up? Thanks!

Steve D

3/7/2013 12:36:14 am

Scott-the Lodge opens for their first night on March 25th, so I imagine the staff will be there a week or so in advance getting the place ready.

Steve D

3/6/2013 10:44:14 am

I heard on the news tonight that Mt LeConte got 14 more inches of snow today, and may get another inch or two tonight! ENJOY JP!

Julie

3/6/2013 10:51:05 am

We are planning a day hike up on. Thursday. I have been once before last fall. I was wondering if it should be passable for not so seasoned hikers? I know it's supposed to warm sufficiently over the next week.

Rob

3/6/2013 12:59:10 pm

I planning to go in the morning too. Likely going to take Rainbow Falls.

Steve D

3/7/2013 12:31:57 am

Julie-are you talking about next Thursday, 3/14? If so, the temps won't be a big issue, but its possible there will still be ice on the last mile or so. I always recommend carrying microspikes for that reason until JP or Allison reports that there is no longer any ice up there.

Tony Ga

3/6/2013 01:45:07 pm

Man-O-Man.

Tony Ga

3/6/2013 10:15:34 pm

Thank you.

???

3/7/2013 03:50:49 am

It was 2 hours time for translate of this poem only few line.

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March 06th, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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