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March 11th, 2013

3/11/2013

 
Picture
too much.
_Morning y'all,

It's a blustery day up top. The high yesterday reached 48 degrees. The low was 34 degrees. It was 36 degrees and overcast at 7am observation. The mountain got plenty of sun yesterday, with the snow on the ground I'm getting a nice little base tan for my travels. There's only about 3 inches of snow left up top, but a bit more on the trails that don't receive plenty of sun. The snow makes for some very tricky footing, giving away like sand on a beach cliff seemingly at random. Be careful!

The past few days have really smelt of spring, even up top. There's a fecundity in the air, you can almost feel the seeds stirring, waking up from their winterlong naps and starting to think about sprouting. The warm temperatures and abundant sun have added to the effect... yet another storm rolled in last night and reminded me this is still March - a transition month that brings both those beautiful, warm spring days, everything bursting with life and colour... and the gray, drizzly, windswept days that harken back to January and make you wonder where you put your hat & gloves before you head outside...
Picture
night.
_This bipolar weather reflects my mood, both bursting with anticipation of adventures & reunions to come, fine mountains with even finer people, a melange of bucolic New England scenes... yet all this comes with the bittersweet finality of a good thing come to an end. I'll miss my routine here, the gentle ease of my days, a life with no demands or schedule, the monotony that is not monotony if you keep your eyes open. The constant surprises & daily gifts of a simple life up top, where a crow gliding over Myrtle Point, majestic sunset, or evening stroll can literally make your day, molding you to expect little and in return, forever and always receive much. I hike down a new man, every day, season after season and into the night... 
Ryan in Green Bay
3/11/2013 03:42:29 am

I am guessing the crew should start returning in the coming days. I see opening day is two weeks away. Good luck with your future endeavors JP

al
3/11/2013 05:57:01 am

"... I hope you're enjoying the scenery; they say that it's pretty up there. We can go hiking on Tuesday; with you I'd walk anywhere."
from "Come Monday" by Jimmy Buffett.

Next "Monday" will be 90 days and counting... see y'all soon! Happy trails

Ronette
3/11/2013 05:04:36 am

'too much' is just enough for my desktop background. :-) Thanks for my daily dose of mountain!

doug y
3/11/2013 05:26:11 am

JP: Your photos never disappoint. they are always excellent representations of the scenery up on the mountain ! This is the time of year when such scenery is constantly changing, ever shifting in its variety and scope, giving us the seemingly never-ending surprises that enthrall and delight us all. When you mentioned a "crow gliding over Myrtle Point" it brought back to mind an instance at Cliff Tops when I watched one gliding effortlessly on the "thermals" and/or wind currents that wafted upward, keeping that bird going without having to do anything but keep his wings extended. I've called these birds crows all my life, but I know there's another almost exact species: ravens; I must refresh my memory now as regards the difference which escapes me right now. The local Knoxville news [100.3 freq] reported that the rescued hiker from the other night was eventually airlifted once they got him down from the mountain. Whatever the case, these rescues are not the easiest thing to accomplish. Looks like we're in for some wind here in the rolling hills of KY, so I imagine that similar conditions, or worse, will be in store for the mountain. G'day.

Tim O Thy
3/11/2013 07:41:15 am

Good getting to know ya Mr Krol. hope to see you again next winter seaon on the lovely majestic LeConte!

Debi
3/11/2013 11:37:28 am

Its raining today here,I'll take it, much better than snow. Bring on those spring flowers. JP, you look like you have FULL power up there in that lit up cabin. Love it!!

deedee/mich
3/11/2013 12:23:58 pm

J.P., the bittersweet is mutual. Poised on the brink of flinging off winter's carapace I will miss reading your hushed reflections each day..thank you for the sharing.
A lovely night~time photo; ghostly yet not

Will
3/11/2013 03:01:30 pm

Love the night pic JP

Mary F
3/11/2013 03:02:23 pm

JP, the photos are magnificent as always, but your words brought a tear to my eye. I wish you the best in all your life choices, and selfishly pray that one of those choices is to return to us next winter!

???
3/11/2013 06:32:58 pm

This is well a national park is an island at middle of lake that has only deers very much.

???
3/11/2013 06:37:23 pm

More of 1000.

Laura
3/12/2013 02:12:12 am

Thank you! I always enjoy your posts. I love the pictures. Safe travels.

???
3/12/2013 05:44:30 pm

As I wish ....

Will
3/12/2013 04:49:12 am

http://youtu.be/tB_IFiEH9UY

A little video from my time up top last weekend during the snow storm. Took us 8 hours to go up Rainbow. Kicked my butt. Enjoy!

Tony Ga
3/12/2013 05:03:21 am

Nice video. Thanks!

tomk in SC
3/12/2013 05:43:44 am

3/4-2, 2/19-2, (2/14,12/14-2), 2/3, 1/24, 12/29, 12/18-2, 11/28-4, 11/27
Photo contest? I buzzed through all of the photos posted this winter and picked out the above as candidates for JPs best of the season. Anyone care to add to the list? Given a list we might narrow it down to a handful and then one? Curiously there were two Valentine's hearts and there MAY have been two elk/moose fronds.
Which photos stand out for you?

???
3/12/2013 05:47:38 pm

One of nationals parks at here is a World Heritage Sites.


Comments are closed.
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