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so while you sit and whistle dixie with your money and your power, i can hear the flowers a-growing in the rubble of the towers.

12/12/2014

 
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I feel great gratitude for being here, for being, rather for there is no need to hike oneself to the snow mountains in order to feel free. I am not here to seek the “crazy wisdom;” if I am, I shall never find it. I am here to be here, like these rocks and sky and snow, like this hail that is falling down out of the sun…the absurdity of a life that may well end before one understands it does not relieve one of the duty (to that self which is inseparable from others) to live it as bravely and generously as possible. Peter Matthiesen
Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 29 degrees. The low was 13 degrees, recorded shortly after observation yesterday morning. It was 24 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation and there is still 2 inches of snow remaining up top. The trails are in worse shape than I had expected, with a lot of slick spots and generally tricky areas. Be sure to pack some sort of traction devices unless you enjoy slipping and sliding down a cold mountain!
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Sunrise from Apollo Overlook.
I went for a wonderful midnight stroll yesterday night. Most of my night hikes start with some sort of daylight and turn into races to get back to my cabin before it gets too late. However, last night I really savored the mountain in moonlight. There were a number of instances where I'd turn corners, see some stark light amongst the trees and expect to run into some other crazy headlamped hikers or a joyful fire pit or chilly Cherokee ghosts, only to remember that the dim yellow orb amongst the trees was my old friend, moon. It was a little shock to the system, an honest surprise each time.
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On one hand, you could say it has something to do with a failing short term memory... but I prefer to think of it as an ever renewing gift for living in the present. Each new turn of the trail found the moon in a different place in the sky and with my focus on my feet and my heartbeat, it was like I was born new every 3 minutes. I'd fail to remember my past encounter with this ethereal brightness amongst the spruce-firs and the old game was on again...
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Phillip
12/12/2014 12:49:35 am

Please tell me where exactly is this "Apollo" overlook ? thank you.

tomk in SC
12/12/2014 01:33:59 am

A lot of questions like this can simply be googled/binged/searched. It turns out a poster here answered the question 7 FEB 2013. Go there and get a great explanation. While at it, snoop Gracies Pulpit and The Pulpit on Bullhead, the Jump Off. . .

Kent
12/12/2014 02:54:03 am

Once again, JP, you've managed to successfully describe one of those pure moments when the space between ourselves and our surroundings seem to disappear and the mind relinquishes any compulsion to capture the sheer joy of movement, discovery, and exploration. It simply experiences them.

Memories, for all the happiness (and pain) they can bring to us, are rather hollow things. They exist in death – the past -- and are the antithesis of the here and now.

tomk in SC
12/12/2014 08:03:38 am

Memories are anything but hollow. Memories are rich remnants of life lived, the best of which are recalled at will to bring a smile to your face or a tear to the eye, but cherished as a life treasurer. They do fade over time, unless carefully maintained or wiped away as a means of self preservation. Memories shape who we are and form the basis for learning. "Don't touch that! It's hot!" or "The magic hour for photography around dusk and dawn." We know this because of our memories and carry them with us into the future. Sometimes the best photographs capture but a shadow of the memory of the experience. Most folks snap a bunch of pictures at Cliff Tops at sunset, but the photos are rarely as good as they were in the moment, but the memory recalls the perfection of the moment when the film cannot. I have seen hoarfrost on Rocky Spur in winter's morning light, but the best photos don't come close. Memory recalls the difference in an ethereal sort of way, but it enriches the experience.

It's who we are!
12/12/2014 11:10:05 am

Very well said Tom. Thank you.

Kent
12/13/2014 03:12:11 am

The trouble with memories is there are too damn many I'd just like to wipe from my memory banks.

SBalsam
12/12/2014 06:18:22 am

Can't wait for Christmas P!!

Gulf Coast Doug
12/13/2014 01:42:23 am

Great comments this morning...and these pics by JP make me want to jump in the car and drive 700 miles to the Smokies without stopping and start hiking LeConte. Thanks for allowing us to experience it vicariously each day.


Comments are closed.
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