High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

no, i can do just what i want. i want to walk in the howling wind til it scatters all my thoughts.

1/8/2015

 
Picture
Strange as it may seem today to say, the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. Henry Miller
Morning y'all,

It's a stunning, clear day up top. The high yesterday reached 8 degrees. The overnight low was negative 15 degrees. It was 4 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received an inch of new snow and there is about an inch total up top. The trails are full of black ice, so be sure to bring some sort of traction device (the gold standard is Kahtoola Microspikes, but something is better than nothing). If you just have boots or trail runners you will likely fall a good bit. Be careful and enjoy the wintry wonder!
Picture
Top photo: Icy tree! Above: Serenity on the way back from Cliff Tops.
I went for a little run yesterday afternoon in an effort to feel this remarkable weather, rather than merely observe it. The intensity of the cold was remarkable. Numbers do not do it justice. My chest tightened up and my body shivered, and then a funny thing happened - I adapted. This was not temporary and I'd have to bear it until it broke me. My body was not necessarily cooperating at first, but our wills carry us farther than we assume is possible. We just need to give them more opportunities to unfurl their powers.
Picture
Too much fun.
The expanse of quiet was astounding. There were sounds, but each felt in it's place. Trees creaking under the strain of the wind, the rumble and howl of fresh gusts, the occasional shotgun bout of birdsong, my joyous footfall. The mountain saw many wild smiles. No one is alone when they play in the snow. Hours spent in bliss are not spent hours.
Rick
1/8/2015 01:38:26 am

Watch out for Mr Frost JP stay warm.

norman
1/8/2015 02:03:56 am

Sounds like too much fun! Enyoy.

norman
1/8/2015 02:05:18 am

Enjoy

Dayhikr
1/8/2015 02:11:59 am

So cold here all my thoughts froze and fell out of my mind into a pile of letters in the snow.....I went out to clear the snow off the deck again after it all blew off the roof and it was -4 ambient with a -19 wind chill factor....But hey, I took heart because of the bright sun warming me to almost -18.....lol

LindaKay
1/8/2015 04:31:20 pm

Love it!

Debi
1/8/2015 03:08:38 am

Sounds like a bunch of crispy critters up there. I think were having a heat wave in Michigan at 17. Stay warm!

stephen
1/8/2015 04:10:57 am

I've been waiting for this post...I knew there would be a negative low but wasn't sure how low it would get....did you have any visiting day hikers? M6 guess us probably not...have a great day up top JP

Keith Brandt
1/8/2015 04:45:50 am

Always enjoy your posts, learning what it's like up on top! Keep it up.

William
1/8/2015 05:54:06 am

If you're up there, you might as well go outside and experience it. That's what I'd do. No 'cabin fever'

Peppermint Pattie
1/8/2015 06:13:55 am

That second photo is pure beauty. Thank you JP for all that you do and share from that place of beauty. Be safe, and stay warm.

elktonbrant
1/8/2015 09:43:42 am

JP, I always appreciate when you see extreme weather conditions not as a hindrance but as an opportunity for self-growth. I will try to keep the cold you're relishing in mind as I teeth-chatter to the mailbox and to get the morning paper at the end of the drive. I hope you can continue to savor the cold and the relative isolation that comes with it!

Sherleen
1/8/2015 02:33:19 pm

We saw you on WBIR tv this evening.Saw that you had to come down for supplies .If the coffee froze in the kitchen....maybe time for JP to take a hike to warmer places. Take care of yourself and hope the flu bug got froze for sure . :-)

Action Andy
1/9/2015 10:29:52 am

You are just completely full of it, aren't you?

JP
1/9/2015 01:51:19 pm

Sure. I am definitely doing this job for the acclaim.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable.  Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain!

    For information regarding GSMNP's paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Lodge Gift Shop Hours:
    9:00 - 10:00 AM
    ​12:00 - 4:30 PM

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture