Song of the Wind

11/12/2012

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."- John Ruskin

That was one crazy night of wind. We received a little over half an inch of rain, but the wind was ridiculous. The good news is the snow is melting at a record pace. I see grass that I have not seen in two and half weeks. The high yesterday was 57 with a low of 36. It is not raining at the moment, but the wind is still outragous. The llamas will not be making it up today. There are some rather large trees that came down over night on Trillium Gap trail. I am sure there are more trees down on other trails. I will know more once hikers make it up. If you are hiking up today, take your time and be safe out there.

Boulevard trail update - the park service has closed the Boulevard trail due to downed trees, broken cables, and icy patches that are north facing and take awhile to melt. They do not have the man power to get a trail team out to do the required maintenance at the time. The trail is closed until further notice.

Krismoose

11/12/2012 12:35:23 am

I remember a day like that up on the mountain. Thought it was going to blow us all the way down Rainbow back into Gatlinburg.

Pat N.

11/12/2012 12:37:28 am

Wow, that is eerie...time to huddle and cuddle!

Beattie

11/12/2012 10:31:28 am

Awwww Pat! You sound like a romantic.

doug

11/12/2012 12:41:48 am

I relate very much to John Ruskin's quote. You can moan, groan, and gripe about the weather, but it's not going away. Adapt to it and find something good no matter what the weather is, of course using common sense in getting out in the really bad stuff. Enjoyed the video of the wind, too. One of the first things I ever noticed on my initial stay at the lodge several years ago was how rapidly the weather could and would change up there, from a bright clear day to overcast, raining, and most commonly, the wind at varying intensities. For me, that's what makes a visit so special.

Claudia

11/12/2012 12:44:16 am

Bought our ice crampons last night & are headed up later this morning via Rainbow Falls. We're slow, so it will be awhile. Claudia & Woody Isom

Theresa

11/12/2012 12:44:51 am

Love the sounds of the trees.

Brenda Aliff

11/12/2012 01:21:21 am

I agree with John Ruskin. I love the changing of the seasons and the changing weather. "All sunshine makes a desert." - Arab proverb
The Master's hand can be seen in the beauty of nature.

Pat and Jeanie Lawley

11/12/2012 01:35:59 am

Well the year is almost over. THANKS for everything. I would also like to say Thanks to all the Veterans. Kilimanjaro better get ready!!! Hope yall have a great trip!!!

Ben F

11/12/2012 01:42:23 am

High on LeConte,
Good morning. Do y'all still have plenty of T-Shirts in size Large? I was up there 3 weeks ago and had a brain fade. I got Medium shirts. If I had looked at any of my shirts from previous years I would've remembered I need Large. I'm planning on coming up this Saturday. A 600 mile round trip for T-Shirts. Maybe my error was a subconscious excuse to get in one more hike before y'all close.

Thanks,
Ben

Pam

11/12/2012 06:25:04 am

Ben I'm about 400 miles away. If you come through Ohio I'll buy a med off you!! Couldn't make it up this year. Plan to next though!

11/12/2012 05:02:13 am

That's a perfect excuse Ben F ! I'll have to use it sometime !

Debi

11/12/2012 05:34:12 am

Wow! Loved the video. Got goose bumps just watching it. From looking at my computer screen, then again when I looked out my own window. We had weather in the 60's or more yesterday in Michigan. Now its 31 and windy cold and I did see a few flakes. Brrr, huddle down with a good cup of coffee and cookie.

Sam

11/12/2012 08:42:35 am

Any report from hikers today about condition of the Alum Cave route? We are hiking up tomorrow morning and just thought I would check.
Sam

Delores Maness

11/12/2012 09:04:28 am

UNREAL THIS IS BEAUTIFUL FOR THOSE OF US NOT FORTUNATE TO BE ON THE MOUNTAIN, nEXT BEST THING THANKS FOR SHARING AGAIN THIS IS GREAT!!!!!!!

Ron P. Metcalfe link

11/12/2012 10:14:36 pm

Allyson,

I forgot to ask you a question the other day - if sunset is at 5:59 PM, is supper still served at 6:00 PM?

Enjoy your final week, and have fun on Kilimanjaro.

Ron P.

Jenny

11/12/2012 10:55:32 pm

Thank you so much to everyone up on the mountain for an amazing experience. The staff is so welcoming and kind--Chrissy is a little ray of sunshine, and thanks to Chris and Allyson for putting up with my nosy questions (and a special thanks to Chris for keeping my wine glass full at dinner). Thanks to Audie for sharing a shuttle and his stories, and to my dinner companions for sparkling conversation. The hiking was great, the vistas awed me, and Le Conte is a magical place. Thank you!!

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Song of the Wind

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