Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah Make you wanna move your dancing feet

1/14/2011

High 18, Low 5.

As for the trails, I haven't seen anyone hiking in a while, none of the trails are broken yet. I imagine I'll see somebody up here today, they've opened the roads last i've heard, and the sun's out. If you are planning on hiking up, realize that it will take you much, much longer than normal in this snow, be prepared and be aware when it's time to turn around. My season up here starts Thanksgiving and finishes in the beginning of march sometime, Haven't figured out if i'll be here for pre-season yet, or not. Xtratuffs aren't necessarily for hiking, but treat me well when working up here. As for my room, unless you're a twenty-something lady interested in fermented tea, Vonnegut, and helping me learn French/Spanish phrases to help me not get robbed while in Europe this spring... it's very unlikely you'll see it. It's the room closest to the kitchen, where Katie from last season stayed. Cool colors last night during sunset.

onelovekailuahawaii

1/14/2011 12:41:20 am

HAHA TO the rescue here I am....your pictures give me inspiration to get thru the day! not many people know who sings that song.

Roger

1/14/2011 12:49:39 am

Gorgeous! Thanks!

Jacque J

1/14/2011 12:53:55 am

Breathtaking photos!

Laura

1/14/2011 01:15:22 am

Awesome pictures! They are very much appreciated.

Lydia Elliott

1/14/2011 02:04:00 am

Not sure I'll ever be able to see the top of the mountain in snow in person, so thank you so much for the pictures and videos. Breathtaking and beautiful! Best of luck to you as you enjoy the season!

Mary

1/14/2011 03:02:02 am

Great answer to the rooms question, lol. Thanks again for the SPECTACULAR photos, being in Florida, I never want to hike in that much snow. But having hiked to the lodge last year for the first time in my 62 years, I look forward to many trips up this spring, summer and fall. Stay warm Alex and thanks again for all you do!

Lewis

1/14/2011 03:03:40 am

What kind of ice devices do you use for hiking in the snow?

1/14/2011 03:17:11 am

Awesome pics AGAIN!!!! I can't wait to hike up for the first time this summer (when the snow is gone!!!).

val

1/14/2011 04:21:38 am

luv,luv,luv the pictures...job well done

Melinda Sparks link

1/14/2011 04:35:25 am

Geogous pictures...I love them, but have a question...What days of the week do the llamas bring supplies? I would love to see them.

idae

1/14/2011 04:38:23 am

Thanks for answering my questions about your length of stay up there. What all do you do while you are there? (as far as work goes)?? I cannot imagine an experience like you are having by being in one of the most beautiful places in America! God bless you, and thanks for the amazing pictures!

Robin in VA link

1/14/2011 06:22:12 am

UNBELIEVABLY BREATHTAKING photos!!

Friday Night Fight Club in the K Y

1/14/2011 06:44:23 am

Today's pics are the shaz-O! What I'd give to sit awhile amongst all that peace and quiet. Ur present circumstances make for jealousy. I've got some Orange Spice mead sitting spitting for March. I'm half ready to bring it to you as a 'Thank you'. We'd have to share, of course. Enjoy the sunshine, and thank you endlessly for encouraging us all.

Rich

1/14/2011 09:23:21 am

My son, several of his classmates and teachers from Christ School Outdoor program in Arden are hiking up tomorrow.

Meg

1/14/2011 01:28:14 pm

Once again the pictures are awesome! Kinda puts life in perspective.

Don

1/14/2011 01:58:42 pm

Alex, it is obvious that you have a very keen eye for photography. The photo of the icicles pointing downward in relation to the other objects pointing upward is just an ingeniously creative photo. And I'm guessing that the celestial object in one of the other photos in this group could be the moon, the ISS, a planet, or an aircraft. Which is it?

Rose

1/14/2011 02:03:21 pm

Love the pics. I share them with my father often and he really enjoys them. He is now 75yo and probably will not be able to hike anymore due to health reasons. In the past he has hikes the AT 35 miles with my son and brother in the past and still talks about it, so thanks for letting him still enjoy the GSM like pics.

Harold

1/14/2011 02:08:36 pm

Thanks for the great winter photos. I realize hiking to LeConte in the winter with deep snows is beyond my physical abilities, but will try two trips in 2011 - Spring and Fall. Boulevard Trail as an entrance and Alum Cave, Rainbow, Bullhead or Trillum as an exit. Hiking to Cammerer and Siler's Bald are a close second and third choice. I live in central KY and use the Red River Gorge and DB National Forest for recreation and conditioning for the Smoky Mountain treks.

Ernie

1/14/2011 03:50:49 pm

Those were nice photos. I notice your icicles are crusted with frost. The wife and I rode up to Cades Cove and to Tremont today and saw many huge icicles clinging from the mountains. They were clean, not frosty.
We’ve had snow on the ground since Christmas in Townsend and about a foot of it for a week. I’m glad you have the big drifts and not us.
Vonnegut rules. As does Frank Zappa. Do you get to enjoy music in your crystal solitude? I remember from my visit in August that the assembly room is full of acoustical instruments. I guess you can play your own.
Have you considered a Kindle or any other brand of electronic reader? You were looking for a Cormac McCarthy. You wouldn’t have to look any farther than your reader if you had one. Plus, you could get the NY Times, USA Today and many other periodicals. I’m assuming the mail delivery up there is a bit tardy.
I hope you had enough sun today to charge your batteries. I just recharged my Kindle. It took a half hour to yield about twenty hours reading.
You’ve got a pretty cool gig (no pun intended). Although it has its own brand of burdens. I’m sure you’ll welcome March. I know I will. That’s when the campgrounds open. I’ve gotten a little old to be a pack mule in these mountains, and I car camp comfortably nowadays and day hike.
Be careful up there. Keep your spirits high.

sandee link

1/15/2011 09:52:30 am

Hi Alex, I hope this finds you well. I really enjoy looking at you pictures like everyone else ( especially while I am making my cards, your photos inspire me ) I had to laugh about the room picture response, you have a good sense of humor. Like the other reader I would love to see a picture of the llamas delivering your supplies...as you can guess..I am a city girl so all this amazes me! Take care!

phutureprimitive

1/15/2011 10:06:22 am

Bob, tea, Kurt... I must say we have many things in common, minus the part about learning French and Spanish, as I speak both fluently:)

Hope you've got some psybient sounds to keep you company as well.

Take care,
Serena

Allyson

1/15/2011 10:21:38 am

I posted a link to the llama video on the next post. Look in the comment section. The llamas are off for the winter. The only way Alex can get supplies is when he hauls them up himself.

Sandra

1/15/2011 01:54:00 pm

I would love to be up there. We make the trip every Sept. looking forward to it again. Looks so peaceful & quiet. we are down here in the valley, stove insert going full blast, house is a nice 74 degrees. Snow almost gone here. Stay warm and safe!

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Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah Make you wanna move your dancing feet

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