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Morning y'all, It's another brutally cold morning up top. The high yesterday reached 18 degrees. The overnight low got down to negative 12 degrees. It was negative 8 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received 3 inches of new snow, bringing the snowfall total up top to about 6 inches. The trails are sure to be in decent shape with fresh powder, I would definitely recommend some sort of snow pants and gaiters, but spikes and snowshoes would be overkill. There are few slick spots with this much fresh powder. The low temperatures expected over the next few days should keep the powder well intact. The roads are sure to be a mess, so please have patience as the Park Service does their best to get them open. You can check on their status on the Park Service's twitter feed. 
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul. Neruda
I had a great run down to Rainbow Falls yesterday. The powder was fresh, it was like running in sand... on your own private island. The quietude was stunning, I am always a little shocked by how few take advantage of this marvelous time to be in the park. It takes a few moments to adjust to the cold and quiet and purity, but once you do a calm settles over your mind like a heavy fog. There is nothing to focus on but your steady breathing, quick footfalls and ever changing snowscape surrounding you. It is impossible not to feel good after exercising in these harsh conditions. Endorphins are a beautiful thing.
I've heard rumours that the Falls will freeze solid with 4-5 days of sub 25 degree temperatures and we've been nearing that threshold. When I arrived, I found a huge cone near the bottom and a few serious icicles hanging from the top. It had not yet frozen solid, but with last night's crazy cold, it may have today. It would be well worth the 2+ mile hike up to check it out!
Ron P. Metcalfe
1/29/2014 01:09:58 am
A friend of mine who worked at LeConte Lodge years ago gave me a bunch of clippings - one of which included the recipe for the famous Hot Chocolate. So yesterday as the kids and I watched the snow fall, we made a batch. Not as good as it is when you've made the hike, but pretty close.
Ron P. Metcalfe
1/29/2014 01:38:00 am
I don't think it would be a big secret, because it was published in a magazine some time ago, but I also wouldn't want to be banned from the mountain for revealing a trade secret. If someone tells me it's ok, I'll be glad to.
T-Wayne
1/29/2014 10:22:44 am
Doug have you got the recipe yet? I gave Ron the OK!
Missy
1/29/2014 03:49:50 am
Hi Ron, I'd love the recipe, but really what I want to know is about the ingredients. Does it have corn syrup in it? I'm allergic to corn so not knowing the ingredients, I didn't drink any on our last trip. Would like to this trip if it's corn-free. Thanks! =^)
Ron P. Metcalfe
1/29/2014 10:40:56 am
Missy, I will say that it has sweetened condensed milk and Dutched cocoa powder. No corn syrup, just regular sugar. Of course, there's only one place in the world to get LeConte springs water, and I'm sure that makes the difference.
Missy
1/29/2014 01:20:27 pm
Thanks Ron! We are staying two nights this fall. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to drink a pot or two. =^)
T-Wayne
1/29/2014 01:50:06 am
Go ahead Ron,it's OK.There that was easy!
Tony Ga
1/29/2014 11:35:46 am
Too funny! Hey T-Wayne: got the recipe, and the handwritten notes I saw in the margins made for interesting reading as well; I've been known to add some "special" ingredients to hot chocolate at different times which give the stuff some real kick, but in general it's good by itself; I generally use that "Swiss Miss" packaged product, but as a few others here have said, sometimes WHERE you're consuming it makes a big difference ! I enjoyed some yesterday when as I was posting another short story on my own site about an incident on the A.T. during one of my thru hikes. Two or three cups of the brew a day seem to be my limit. G'day (Thurs 1-30)
T-Wayne
1/30/2014 01:11:24 am
Here in southern middle Tn. we call that Royale Swiss Miss! Enjoy. Well, I'd love to go look at Rainbow Falls, but it ain't happening for a while. Highway 441 has been closed since Saturday, and here in Sylva NC, my road isn't drivable. I just posted something on my blog people might find interesting, about "Anakeestaland." Mt. LeConte is located there.
ric
1/29/2014 02:26:50 am
walked to rainbow saturday a week ago. looked pretty much the same the the photo here andyes, the quiet was almost defening. had about 20 minutes with no one around. was really refreshing.
Mary F
1/29/2014 02:33:01 am
Today the Great Smoky Mountains Association posted another video minute. This one was all about our JP!! Like them on Facebook and watch the video. Enjoy the snow JP, thanks for all you do to keep us acquainted with the mountain we all love so much!!
norman "abr"
1/29/2014 03:07:53 am
great video!!
Elisabeth
1/29/2014 02:39:30 am
here is the link to the video, good job JP and thanks for keeping the blog up and running! was hoping to get to the top today...but that isn't happening. Cant even get into the park. Try, try, again!
Pat N
1/29/2014 02:51:33 am
Great video included in the Cub Report! Love the pics and the fact that you ventured to Rainbow Falls. Would love to see pics of the falls if you get back there soon. I'm sure it will be worth the hike. Stay safe...stay warm...and God Bless
Cincyseibs
1/29/2014 03:54:35 am
Interesting article in this mornings Cincinnati paper about how well various insects deal with the extreme cold. Fortunately, the one that does NOT do well is our nemesis the wooly adelgid. Love the pics, JP.
Wendi
1/29/2014 04:37:35 am
Great Song... Love it!
Jackie Watson
1/29/2014 04:47:57 am
I hope to see pictures of the Falls frozen if it happens! Thanks so much!
Kent
1/29/2014 05:04:18 am
I saw the the GSMA video on my Facebook page. I don't think I've heard anyone express the love of these mountains more eloquently that you, JP. Your spirit and sense of awe of the natural world is infectious.
RJnLA
1/29/2014 05:28:07 am
great pics and comments as always JP. If anyone is planning a trip to lower alabama today,micro-spikes are a must.( Never would I think I would say that).EVERYTHING is covered with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice. currently 28 and haven't seen the sun yet.A good day to stay by the fire and keep warm. Saturday will be near 70 so near normal again for here.
Barbara
1/29/2014 10:38:05 am
We're moving to TN this coming Fall and I can't wait to get in some winter hiking. We'll be about 60 mi from the park so maybe we'll see some of you out there.
Ron Adams
1/29/2014 12:20:59 pm
Hey, JP, just a quick question. How do you determine the overnight low? Do you get up at 3 a.m. and go out and look? Or can we assume the low is hit around 6 am..........or do you have device that records the temps while you sleep?
tomk in SC
1/30/2014 01:48:53 am
MIN MAX thermometers have been around for decades, if not centuries. Two columns of Mercury with small floats that "stick" at the high and low temps. Each day, when the thermometer is read, the reader will also reset the floats. If left untended for a week, the thermometer would trap the high and low for the week.
Ron Adams
1/30/2014 08:41:00 am
Thanks, Tonk from SC! I figured there must be some kind of device to measure the highs or lows. Didn't figure poor JP would tumble out of bed every hour to check for the low temps. Comments are closed.
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LeConte LodgeWelcome 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! Archives
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