November 28th, 2018

Good morning,

It’s currently 10 degrees and clear up top. We received a small amount of precipitation - leaving us with .5” inches of snow. The mountain is incredibly beautiful right now, but plan for ice on the trails and cold conditions.

24 hour temperature range: High 15 Low 2

*US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is open.

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Crawling down from the loft, the air became progressively cooler as my feet approached the ground floor. Not yet dressed, I usually try to predict how cold it is by how jarring the floor feels. I guessed that it had to be around 0 degrees. After putting on the myriad of wool layers and cotton canvas overalls, the ensemble was completed with a down parka. I grabbed my pack and waved goodbye to the warmth.

Mt. Le Conte at 6:00AM is a special place. Unless you’re staying the night, it is unlikely that you’ll be found wandering around the lodge at this time of day. I crunched around in the light snow, lantern in hand. The Tack House was tucked away in the shadows. The orange glow of the lantern added just the right feel to the early morning light. The early birds get the worm, they always say. I guess I’m finally beginning to understand that.

Onward,
Seth

P.S. - Thanks to everyone who signed up for my weekly newsletter. I hope you find that it pairs well with this daily blog.

P.S.S - One more reminder, all inquiries submitted using the contact form on the 'HighonLeConte" blog will be sent to the Lodge Reservations down in the valley. If you have a question for me - please leave a comment or send me an email (sethorme@gmail.com) Thanks!

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"It's not the load the breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."

Lou Holtz