How often at night when the heavens are bright / With the light of the glittering stars / Have I stood here amazed and asked as I gazed / If their glory exceeds that of our own...
Morning folks, It is bound to be another beautiful day up top. The high yesterday was 53 degrees, the overnight low was 29 degrees and it was 36 degrees at observation. It's probably a bit too early for me to be worried about what this means for my winter snowfall, but it did feel disturbingly warm up here. I haven't gotten out to explore the other trails, but Alum is in fine condition. There's very little ice left after yesterday's abundant sunshine. I had a wonderful hike down Alum yesterday afternoon with our backroom braintrust member Ron. Thanks for everything, Ron! Especially the nifty new radio antennae! I came up Alum at around 5pm and caught some of the sunset's afterglow at Inspiration Point and Alum Cave, it was better than a fine wine. I'll be hanging around camp today anticipating some big crowds. Enjoy the day! 
Top photo: Moonglow at Alum Cave. Above: Alum Cave Trailhead. This one's totally going in my winter scrapbook.
J workman
11/23/2012 12:38:39 am
Welcome to the mountain JP, so looking forward to hearing from you everymorning, and seeing the pics, and your further endeavors to find that elusive Bobkitty!! he will be back soon! hope to get up thids winter to visit soon! We are hiking Cold Mountain in shining rock wilderness next Saturday! have a great weekend!
doug
11/23/2012 12:41:56 am
Leconte Lodge
Barbara Grove
11/23/2012 06:50:28 am
Doug: Well done!
kelly
11/23/2012 01:36:47 am
JP, so glad that you're back for the winter. You have a magical way with words that keeps my heart in the mountains when my body is stuck in the suburbs.
Debi
11/23/2012 02:23:29 am
Well the cold hit Michigan this morn. were down to 31 and blustery winter cold blowing snow. Arghhh! I think it was 65 here yesterday. So what a change. Enjoy that warm weather up there JP, I'm sure it will change soon enough. Doug, population 1, ha, made me laugh today. Enjoy Leconte JP
Connie
11/23/2012 03:16:28 am
So glad to have you back! I enjoy your blog so much and it helps keep me connected to that wonderful place....my sanctuary. I can sit at work and read your blog and daydream of being back up there soon. Thank you!
Raz Theo
11/23/2012 09:23:59 am
Lo! JP returns! I've been looking forward to this moment all summer/fall. I hope you'll fill us in on your doings in those other Eastern hills. And I'm really hopeful that Mother Nature has some treats in store for you regarding that elusive snowfall and that doubly-elusive BobKitten. 11/23/2012 10:17:44 am
LeConte is great, whether you do it by the trails or by Roaring Fork, LeConte Creek, Cannon Creek, Lowes Creek, Boulevard Prong, Shutts Prong, Alum Cave Creek, Styx Branch, Trout Branch, Bearpen Hollow, or Cole Creek.
jay
11/23/2012 11:21:09 am
JP,
doug
11/23/2012 12:08:05 pm
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. When I'm in the mountains my heart beats in tune with the symphony of nature and in those mountains I find all that I seek. Welcome back JP. Think you'll get any snow this winter season !?
Gina
11/23/2012 12:17:31 pm
Welcome back JP. Im looking forward to following your blog again this winter. I dont live but about 45 minutes form Alum Cave trailhead so hope to maybe get up there before Christmas or maybe March. Im not a big ice hiker. If I do make it I will be sure and ask if you need/want anything beforehand.
Barbara
11/23/2012 10:54:14 pm
Dont forget 'Home, home on the Range...'. Only more like home, home on the mountain. Very appropriate.
doug
11/24/2012 12:11:53 am
Jenny mentioned several trails and I believe the accepted number is five, or six if you include Brushy Mtn. I wonder about another possibility. Has anyone ever parachuted into the lodge area ? I used to skydive a little, but getting to the lodge that way goes beyond my desires. Just letting my imagination run a little. I believe that for most of the people who go there it's the hike up and down that makes the journey what it is. The time at the lodge is icing on the cake. For me, my heart beats differently the very instant my eyes spot the buildings when I approach them, and my mind quickly clears itself of all but the most pleasant thoughts. Sometimes I wonder what the place looked like 100 yrs ago, or 500 yrs ago. Must have been quite a sight. Well, JP, do you expect to catch sight of any wildlife now that all the guests have departed !? I really do envy you for being able to be up there during the winter. Enjoy.
Mark
11/24/2012 03:38:37 am
Thanks to my niece who turned me on to your blog last season and for posting this season's blog.What a privilege(and responsibility) to be where you are!Looking forward to the majesty and the beauty of the mountain as you see it and how you put it into words.Just made my first trip to the Smokies Halloween week(my birthday) and didn't want to leave.I hope to get higher up my next trip.Maybe LeConte.I drove to Newfound Gap and got awesome pics of the snow brought by tropical storm Sandy.I didn't want to come down.Pardon my rambling.That's just the affect the Smokies have on me.Thanks buddy,for the gifts you give us this time of year and know you are appreciated by mountain folk and flat landers alike. 9/9/2013 08:16:09 pm
Your writing is simple and easy to understand and that’s one of the reasons why I love to read your posts. 9/29/2013 04:14:07 pm
A lot of companies have chosen to downsize, and maybe that was the right thing for them. We chose a different path. Our belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets. Comments are closed.
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