the world becomes. and swallows me.

12/11/2014

I have too much weakness of character to live the normal life like everybody else... like social life, and regular job, etc. This is Tao. Kerouac

Morning y'all,

It's another glorious morning up top. The high yesterday reached 21 degrees and the overnight low was 13 degrees. It was 14 degrees and clear up top, with an inversion cap over the valley below. The mountain received no new snow, but the low daytime temperatures did not melt anything. There is still about 2 inches of snow remaining up top. The trails are sure to be a bit slick, so be careful out there!

Top photo: Stairs in the afternoon sunlight. Above: Bobkitten tracks near Apollo!

I spent yesterday as a witness.

Sun setting at Cliff Tops.

It is an imprecise calculation, but I believe that I saw and felt more vividly up here yesterday than... an army of poets would have seen and felt in a typical city in a year. No offense to poets, or cities. I just believe there is that much more unfiltered TRUTH up here.

Yes, yes, forever.

I am blessed.

!!!

A big heartfelt thank you to my friend JY for helping me out yesterday. It is greatly appreciated! Wishing you the best of luck on Aconcagua on January 4th!

Fini.

Dick

12/11/2014 12:59:51 am

Love those ethereal days above the clouds!!!

doug y link

12/11/2014 01:00:34 am

JP: Your sunset photos this morning from Cliff Tops are perhaps the best I have seen on here. They depict the quietness, calmness, and peacefulness of winter when everything essentially shuts down for a time, taking a respite from the regular processes of living. These photos are truly representative, also, of the solitude one enjoys up there on the mountain. Thanks.

Jackie Gabriel

12/11/2014 01:02:20 am

Fabulous pictures! Yes. You are truly blessed. Thanks for posting. :)

Jean G.

12/11/2014 01:09:34 am

Your thoughts are beautiful. The photos too.
The cities will never come close, too many filters.

Hamp Kirkland

12/11/2014 01:12:09 am

JP I really enjoy the snow photos and your comments.
I am considering doing a winter day hike up to the lodge and was wondering what brand or type or traction devices you would recommend, as there is not much need for those here in Charleston SC

ric

12/11/2014 01:21:38 am

katoola micro spikes work very well. can order them or get them at the NOC in g'burg.

stephen

12/11/2014 04:49:37 am

I second that..they are the best!

Steve D

12/11/2014 01:22:09 am

Hamp-if I may speak for JP in case he isn't able to answer, he recommended Kahtoola microspikes(about $65) to me several years ago and I love them, I use them all winter and wouldn't get on that mountain in the winter without them. In the winter with snow and ice, I also recommend trekking poles for stability and safety. Have a great hike!

hamp Kirkland

12/11/2014 05:01:42 am

Thanks for all the recommendations I will get some of the Kahtoola brand. JP perhaps I will see you on the trails the week end after New Years day

Steve D

12/11/2014 01:14:52 am

Yes, JP those are great pics-keep spoiing us...

tomk in SC

12/11/2014 01:21:18 am

What is the distance between bobkitten tracks. Given that, I'm guessing a naturalist could make some descent estimates of size. Thus far are all the tracks solo?

12/14/2014 12:55:42 am

Tom,

I'll get an idea after we get some more fresh snow! I would bet the little fella is somewhere around 25-30 lbs. So far, all the tracks are solo.

Woody

12/11/2014 01:21:37 am

Thank you for the SPECTACULAR photos! Keep them coming!

I thought of your frequent treks up and down the Mountain when I read the following by Andy Rooney. "I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it."

Missy

12/11/2014 01:32:48 am

!!! - Well said.

David

12/11/2014 02:00:25 am

To quote a trite saying "Far Out" There are no words to express the beauty and majesty of the wilderness and view from the moutain tops. Never get tired of it

Darla Caswell

12/11/2014 02:09:39 am

Absolutely stunning photos. Thank you!

12/11/2014 02:24:51 am

JP Great pics i shared them on my FB page and will hope to see you on Saturday! with a few friends of mine coming up for a day hike up Rainbow i think!!

Kent

12/11/2014 02:54:11 am

Truth is more forthcoming and overpowering –even relentlessly brutal -- when you step outside the safety and shelter of normal daily life. If you aren't mentally poised to take it in, you could miss those very beneficial flashes of circumspection that nurture your psyche and keep you alive -- both emotionally and psychically. Truth is no respecter of ignorance or a lazy mind. Everything is as it should be when you're on this mountain. If you're fully awake, it will change you in a radical way.

Jean G.

12/11/2014 03:44:54 am

So perfectly put Kent.

Donnie R.

12/11/2014 04:38:48 am

Simply..Beautiful !!

Denise

12/11/2014 05:00:33 am

Love you pics and how your thoughts stay on the mountain itself. Ales me hungry to return

12/11/2014 07:42:19 am

Words are what we used when we want to try and say something; yet when we truly need them, they fail us.

Mary, Ohio

12/11/2014 02:25:23 pm

Breath taking!!! The photos today are the best I have seen on this site. Thanks so much! They are magnificent!

Jenny B. link

12/11/2014 03:06:27 pm

JP. "army of poets"? That is truly inspired. That is great! But I believe certain poets can crack through the wall of sloppy indifference. I propose Gary Snyder. Or Ted Hughes. Their words are super powerful. I also want to give thanks to Kent with his idea of "brutal truth." What a great idea. The key thing is the horribly difficult ideas of our mountains.

Jan

12/12/2014 12:24:49 am

Now that, is what I think heaven should look like. Wow. What it must feel like to be there and to just... be. I know what it feels like to sit here and stare at the photos. Thanks for giving us that joy.

Rusty Estes (Bear Watch)

12/13/2014 05:49:10 am

JP -
Thanks again for coming by the shelter on the evening of 12/10 to check on me. With the tarp flapping in the wind, it did make for a long night. Hope you have a great season and hope to see you on the trail again one day.

12/14/2014 12:56:59 am

It's always nice to meet the folks at the shelter! Looking forward to seeing ya again Rusty!

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the world becomes. and swallows me.

LeConte Lodge

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