There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

12/1/2011

Words are insufficient.

Morning,

We had a chilly night. It got down to 17 degrees. We had a high of 26 yesterday. It looks like another stunning day up here today. There's still about 2 inches of snow on the ground. The trails are all very icy. Lots of the ice is hiding under benign looking snow - be careful!

I went for a few walks yesterday searching for the bobkitten. I did some research and found out they are mostly active at nighttime, so I'll have to adapt. I made some good progress and look forward to meeting the little fella real soon.

Have a safe hike!

“There's an elegiac quality in watching [American wilderness] go, because it's our own myth, the American frontier, that's deteriorating before our eyes. I feel a deep sorrow that my kids will never get to see what I've seen, and their kids will see nothing; there's a deep sadness whenever I look at nature now.” ― Peter Matthiessen, Wildlife in America

Peyton

12/1/2011 12:29:57 am

you may have the best luck at in the early to mid morning and dusk given the weather situation...I'd imagine food items will be out and about at that time as well.

tomk

12/1/2011 12:55:49 am

I do not feel sadness when I look at nature, at least not in the US. While we are putting tremendous pressure on wildlife, we are also making progress on restoring wildlife once gone. Bear are thriving in the Smokies and the Elk are growing as well. I'm guessing that once the Elk reach barely sustainable populations, another attempt will be made to reintroduce the red wolf. With food they will stand a much better chance. The bobcat tracks are interesting as well. I had heard rumors over the years, but tracks are more than rumors.
I celebrate nature when I see it and I'm way more hopeful than I am sad. The park is a beautiful and thriving place and with luck it will continue to thrive. My children will continue to enjoy it and their children will have the same opportunity.

One Stick

12/1/2011 01:06:01 am

Beautiful photo JP.

Devin R.

12/1/2011 01:08:27 am

I love that second picture JP. Hope you get to see him!

Jim

12/1/2011 01:09:21 am

What a pair of beautiful pictures. How I envy your job.

JRC

12/1/2011 01:40:19 am

Hey,I live across the way from you off of upper middle creek rd. I look at Mt.Le Conte all day. I can see the Cabins where you're located with my Binoculars. I must say it is a wonderful sight. Please continue to update us all daily. I like allot of other folks, envy you're job. :-)

Revdrew

12/1/2011 01:42:15 am

Ditto on words are insufficient! Got a question, what would you suggest is the best type of foot gear to make a trek up to Le Conte via Alum Cave relative to snow and ice conditions. What are you using to "cat" around?

Chris D

12/1/2011 01:44:48 am

JP, Great pics! Checking for your blog is the first thing I do every day. Where are you from? That's if you don't mind me asking.

Paul B

12/1/2011 02:05:28 am

A classic Mt LeConte sunset. I was out with my oldest daughter last evening who hiked up with me in August. We had a beautiful sunset here in Southwestern Ohio and ironically I actually commented on it saying, "I wonder what it looks like from LeConte?". Now I know!! Thanks for answering my question.

T conner

12/1/2011 02:12:10 am

hey bro, watch out for the bobcats man, they can get testy if they feel like it, they don't play many games. Take it easy up there

Jacque J

12/1/2011 02:15:56 am

Glorious pictures! you are doing a great job with the blog! Thanks!

rob r

12/1/2011 02:24:34 am

thanks for the pics

Pam

12/1/2011 02:37:23 am

I love your pictures. I love your quotes. I love your blog.

As soon as I get a job, I'm coming to see you in your oasis. So great to see things going so well on the Mt.!

Karen D link

12/1/2011 02:39:23 am

JP, a friend got me hooked on your daily blogs. Your pics are awesome and I love starting my day with them. Thanks!

Marvin H

12/1/2011 02:54:44 am

JP,I made my first trip up the mountain in Aug, I check the blog first thing of the morning to see the beautiful pictures. I'm hooked on LeConte and can't wait to hike up again, maybe get to see you before spring.

Scott

12/1/2011 04:22:24 am

Hey JP, do you have a mouse in your pocket or what? I thought you were all alone up there

sandee link

12/1/2011 06:25:53 am

JP...come over here darling and let me whisper in your ear.." ARE YOU NUTS", lol ok, not so much a whisper, but leave the bobkitties along sugar! Hey, that sunset picture is beautiful!!!!!!

12/1/2011 06:41:47 am

Revdrew,
I have a pair of Merrell Thermo 6 insulated boots and Katoohla Microspikes. Would recommend them both.
Chris D,
I was born in Rockville Centre, NY and lived the last few years in Bloomington, IN.
Scott,
I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but if it's referencing how we maintain the blog - I am all alone up here, we just happen to have an internet connection.

Chartier

12/1/2011 06:55:49 am

I believe Scott is referring to your use of the royal we...

12/1/2011 07:01:36 am

Thanks Chris,
That's a good point. I didn't realize I was doing that. Maybe it's all the voices in my head.

Woody

12/1/2011 07:26:23 am

Three-toed squishers are also active at night.

Fish

12/1/2011 07:49:11 am

JP, Just hiked up to the top back November 17 and saw your bobkitten allong the trail infront of us on our way up. To quick to get a pic though. It was great to see. We took the alum cave trail.

Jessica

12/1/2011 08:32:37 am

I read David Brill's book several months ago. I also liked "Awol on the AT" by David Miller. Have you read it? Hope you get to see the bobcat. Even better: a photo!

Bryon

12/1/2011 10:55:47 am

You are blessed. A wonderful picture. Good luck with the Bobcat.

Michele, FL

12/1/2011 11:13:36 am

Love, love, love nature! I love your pictures. It makes me long to be there! I can't wait to get back to beautiful TN. I live in FL, and while it's beautiful in it's own way....it's NOTHING compared to the Smokys. Thank you for keeping up this blog. I read it every day!

12/1/2011 11:26:22 am

Pam,
Would love to see you! Let me know when you're headed up!
Jessica,
I enjoyed Brill's book. I like hearing about how the trail was back in the day. I haven't read AWOL's book yet or Shaffer's Walking with Spring. It wouldn't be a bad time to catch up on the 'classics'.

Doug Y.

12/1/2011 11:27:08 am

TomK pretty much said it best; one of the finest photos of this year, JP; I really envy you being up there; I'd love to do it at least once; am highly qualified, but no luck so far; if you see a bobcat, just say: "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty" !!! but, as others have said, they're better left alone as they are aggressive when closely encountered; thanks for your posts.

Debi link

12/1/2011 09:36:39 pm

Good job JP!!! Go find that bobcat.Can't wait for those pics.

Debi link

12/1/2011 09:37:47 pm

Almost forgot u send out good screen savers.

Dana O

12/2/2011 10:59:18 am

That awesome photo put me in mind of these words, "Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things.." from John G. Magee, Jr's 'High Flight'.

Barbara

12/2/2011 01:06:57 pm

Thanks for sharing all the gorgeous views
It's ALMOST like being there-

Comments are closed.

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

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