not really sure how to feel about it, something in the way you move.

12/3/2013

It is not really the wilderness unless there's something out there that might kill you and eat you. Doug Peacock

Morning y'all,

It's another misty morning up top. The high yesterday reached 35 degrees. The low was a balmy 31 degrees. It was 34 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. There is still some patchy snow left up top, which is slowly but steadily melting away. I would bet that it will be gone by tomorrow afternoon. The trails should be pretty manageable. There will likely be some slick spots near the top, so Microspikes would still be helpful, but not quite as necessary as a few days ago.

I spent the day yesterday taking care of camp chores and reading essays. It's finally starting to feel like I've settled in up here. It's almost like getting gear together for a backpacking trip. You think of all the contingencies, what you have, what you need, what you want, all the little comforts that are particular for you and arrange accordingly. Once you have it all laid out, it really hits you - you're here, you'll be there, and it becomes 'real' in a way that it wasn't when you were preoccupied with logistics. There's all kinds of little adjustments that make a place 'your own', but I finally feel like I've crested that plateau and things are just the way I like them. Now that my cabinkeeping is in order, I can focus on more important matters - seeing, feeling & reading. See y'all on the trails!

Rachel

12/3/2013 01:04:30 am

Love reading your posts every morning!

Ronnie-Tn

12/3/2013 01:14:42 am

I think everyone is glad to have you back JP. We should be getting a lot of rain this weekend and maybe you'll see more snow in the higher elevation.

Glenn Oh

12/3/2013 01:18:29 am

I also like the fog and mist like doug y said yesterday, it is special on Mt leconte, would love to go up this winter !!!

Al on the Beach in Biloxi, MS

12/3/2013 01:44:54 am

Hey JP, glad to hear you're settling in; getting a routine together. We were wondering if you take up residence in the manager's quarters or the crew cabin just across from Llama Lane? Do you think you'll see the allusive bobcat this year? Have a good 'un...

Jeff Woody link

12/3/2013 02:12:27 am

JP: Really appreciate the updates on the conditions up top. Very helpful! With the unexpected window of good conditions, I plan on making an attempt at the FKT (Fastest Known Time) for all trails leading to LeConte tomorrow (<10 hours, 44 miles). I will greet you with a warm salute as I pass on by.

Steve D

12/3/2013 02:55:27 am

Go for it Jeff! That would be some achievement!

MIssy

12/3/2013 02:59:48 am

Good luck Jeff. Let us know how it goes.

jack

12/4/2013 12:34:52 am

Sounds like quite a feat to accomplish; How will you verify your attempt ?

debnfl

12/3/2013 04:21:50 am

Thanks for sharing your time on the mountain! I love Leconte!!

“Gazing around, looking up at the lofty pinnacles above, which seemed to pierce the sky, looking down upon the world,--it seemed the whole world, so limitless it stretched away at her feet,--feeling that infinite unspeakable sense of nearness to Heaven, remoteness from earth which comes only on mountain heights, she drew in a long breath of delight, and cried: "At last! at last, Alessandro! Here we are safe! This is freedom! This is joy!”
― Helen Hunt Jackson, Ramona

doug y link

12/4/2013 12:43:10 am

Thanks for the very profound quote Debnfl ! So true, so very true !! Remember: "Egal wohin es geht, da sind sie." G'day

12/3/2013 04:29:13 am

JP I am so glad you are back!! I really enjoy reading your blogs!! Love the pics too!!

Barbara

12/3/2013 04:38:21 am

reading your "blog" ALMOSt like being there
missed hiking up this past year - thanks JP

Mark

12/3/2013 05:42:11 am

I'm planning on hiking Leconte in roughly two weeks. I don't currently have microspikes of any sort and was curious if I should get some just in case or if the mountain is manageable without them? I've never done all that much in icy/snowy conditions but have done Leconte in warmer weather.

Tony Ga

12/3/2013 06:08:17 am

Get some for "peace of mind"

12/3/2013 04:45:07 pm

Mark-definitely microspikes are well worth it, and I love my Kahtoola.
Also, if you are hiking in snow and ice, trekking poles are something I would not do without. Nantahala rents them for like $5 a day I think if you are only hiking once.

12/3/2013 06:35:23 am

Mark: There are differing opinions on having "spikes" along during a winter hike up Mt. Leconte, but I always have them whether they're occupying space in my backpack or on my boots; they're a vital item in your winter gear.

Ronnie

12/3/2013 06:49:39 am

I wouldn't hit the trail without mine either Doug. I have been on ice several inches thick and I make it with the spikes just fine. I have seen people turn around on Alum because they weren't wearing any kind of tractions. I have also witness groups slipping and sliding not knowing the danger they were in.

12/3/2013 07:13:38 am

Thanks for the opinions guys. Sounds like a worthwhile investment to make sure my trip is both safe and successful!

12/3/2013 06:45:25 am

I've been thinking about the various weather conditions one will encounter while up on Leconte, whether at the lodge or anywhere else on the mountain, and it's hard for me to pick any certain one out from all the others that I've experienced. Yet, I keep coming back to those foggy, misty days when visibility isn't very far and going to Cliff Tops or Myrtle Point could be construed as a waste of time {although even being at either of those vantage points is a nice experience in any sort of climate} and I do believe that I favor those foggy days because of the peacfulness they bring; Sitting in a rocking chair at a cabin may not be the best way to take them in, but I do like them very much. I was wondering a few days ago about that bobcat and if he is spotted he may NOT be "bobkitten" anymore ! I suspect there's one around here in central KY, but I have seen scant little evidence of one; black bear scat I've found in my big back yard, but as yet, no actual bear sighting although I yearn for one ! There are some who consider Doug Peacock who JP quoted above to be a renegade naturalist, but I've read some of his works and like what he has to say; On good one is "In the Shadow of the Sabertooth"; Debinfl: loved the quote you posted ! thanks g'day

Kent

12/3/2013 07:10:22 am

doug y, I didn't even know there were black bears in your neck of the woods. Shows you how much I know, I guess.

There are bobcats in Illinois, I've heard -- probably more in Southern Illinois, though. I've seen a number of coyotes in recent years, though, just outside of the city limits. They're becoming a bit of a problem and have been known to prey on outdoor pets.

12/3/2013 09:11:48 am

Yes, Kent, black bears have been returning in greater and greater numbers in southeastern Kentucky for several years now; up in my former home county of Harlan where the mountains are the biggest in KY {up to about 4100 ft elev} those bears have become numerous and frequently spotted; as for coyotes, I haven't heard of any around here in Laurel Co., but I believe these critters are around in sparse numbers in the region; over in S.W. Virginia, cattle and farm land, I understand coyotes are relatively common; nature has ways of restoring itself and its inhabitants if left to do that;

12/3/2013 11:00:10 am

I've been through Harlan County back when I used to take off on a bicycle and trek all over Kentucky -- sometimes covering well over 100 miles in a day. Gorgeous state.

Next time I'm hiking in the Cumberland gap area I'll keep a look out for those bears. :)

12/4/2013 12:19:17 am

Kent: I never rode bicycles much when I lived in that county - - I guess I never quite trusted people in autos to avoid me; Yes, it's a pretty state; I've spent a lot of time hiking and such along what is called 'Cumberland Mountain' which is the border between KY & VA; There's a wildlife management area in Harlan Co with a lot of interesting places and rock formations, but 4-wheelers have literally destroyed a lot of the trails and the area is now closed for the most part; Several times throughout my life I've hiked the "Ridge Trail" which runs from the "Pinnacle" overlooking Cumberland Gap to near Ewing, VA,. a distance of about 20-22 mi depending on who you ask; There are a few interesting stops along this trail, and I always spent one night on the trail when hiking it; It ends at the White Rocks above Ewing. Nice route - - there's another name for it but I won't attempt to spell it here ! As for bears, I would expect that there may be some in that Park; The KY side is rather 'wild', too; G'day

Debi

12/3/2013 09:26:57 am

We have a lot off coyotes in Michigan. There terrible around my house. There are bear in the lower UP but lot more bear in upper UP of Michigan. Have spotted cougers, bob cats, you name it we seem to have the critter. No elephants though. But a Kangeroo did escape at the circus we had last summer here.

12/3/2013 11:04:45 am

Yeah, those coyotes have been moving closer and closer to heavily populated areas over the past decade or so I'm told. I had no idea they were around here until I start seeing them about three years ago.

Haven't seen any elephants these parts, either. When I do I'll know I've had one too many. :)

jean d

12/3/2013 11:22:04 am

Kent, aren't the ones you see under the conditions you describe PINK?

12/3/2013 11:57:20 am

Yep...and occasionally with red polka dots.

12/4/2013 12:33:07 am

Hey Debi: Recently I re-read one of my special edition National Geographic books and there was an article regarding the UP of Michigan and it described some interesting little towns there; made me want to travel there sometime; As for coyotes, I don't know a lot about them but I understand they're quite a problem in some populated areas bordering wildlife areas, etc. And I understand that they're rather bold and aggressive toward humans, especially when cornered; I don't know if you've seen the program on the Animal Planet channel about the so-called "Turtleman" who captures rogue wildlife for people {he's from KY I think} but perhaps he could come to Michigan and catch a few of those coyotes !!! Elephants !? Well, it's been a very loooonnng time since I've seen any, and I stay away from those "visions" ! I came close to seeing "something" on my first visit to the lodge in 2004 when I consumed too many glasses of wine and had to be helped to my cabin ! Maybe it was the altitude ! Have a great day friend ! Remember: "N'importe ou vous allez, vous etes la.' g'day

Mike

12/3/2013 01:23:47 pm

I just returned from deer hunting in IL..just west of Terre Haute,IN. I saw a COUGAR two weeks ago. I watched this animal for 4 minutes through binocs....I was only 35 yards to begin with from it. No color striations, no spots..solid tan/gray...45 pounds...If IL has bobcats and cougars..I am sure KY has them..lol

Chumley

12/3/2013 04:13:55 pm

That might kill me and eat me.

12/4/2013 12:40:49 am

Chumley: I've never been afraid of wildlife and in fact always desire to spot any when I'm outdoors and in the forests / woods, etc. But I've also always said that if a big critter was going to eat me, it'd have to bite me in my rear !! Someone once said to me that the oldest defense against an animal attack is a defensive position; Well, that might be true, but it's not older than running !!!! G'day

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not really sure how to feel about it, something in the way you move.

LeConte Lodge

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