tonight you're perfect. i want to fall in love with the stars in your eyes.

12/14/2013

Our kinship with Earth must be maintained; otherwise, we will find ourselves trapped in the center of our own paved-over souls with no way out. Terry Tempest Williams

Morning y'all,
It's another gorgeous morning up top! The sleet is flying sideways, the winds are whipping. It's been a while since we've had some good, chaotic dyin' weather. The mountain received a light dusting of snow and everything has been made anew. The high yesterday reached 39 degrees. The low was 25 degrees. It was 29 degrees and sleeting at 7am observation. The trails should be pretty icy today, so I'd be sure to pack along some Microspikes if you intend to summit. Keep an eye on the Park Service's twitter feed for the latest news on road conditions. Enjoy the day!

doug y link

12/14/2013 12:24:53 am

Good morning JP and everyone ! Winter has set in apparently and I'm making the usual necessary biological adjustments, particularly my increased consumption of hot cocoa. One thought after reading your post this morning regarding Microspikes: I have but one set that slips over my winter hiking boots and they serve their purpose. {they're not "Yaktrax" (sp?)} I know that I need to go by NOC or some other good outdoor store and do some serious examination of other types and brands of spikes, but I was just wondering what brands and models that some of the readers here prefer ? I'd like to hear their opinions. I intend to probably purchase a newer and better set if I see that to be the thing for me to do. Good day, as is almost any day, to be in the Park hiking !

Steve D

12/14/2013 02:49:39 am

Hey Doug-Last winter JP recommended Kahtoola Microspikes to me for winter hiking and I picked up a pair at NOC for $60 and I tell ya I wouldn't go on the mountain in the winter without them now. They were great. Felt ten times safer with those than what I had previously. Also, with my trekking poles I was confident on the trail each and every time. Have a great day!

doug y link

12/14/2013 03:37:36 am

Thanks very much Steve D; I remember that suggestion now, but I was too bloody lazy to go back and look through the posts to find it. I'll be going by NOC before long and will more than likely pick up a pair which will then become a standard item in my winter gear.

Missy

12/14/2013 03:10:11 am

Following. I need to invest in a pair as well.

Kent

12/14/2013 03:48:23 am

STABILicers provide am excellent grip and cost substantially less than Kahtoola. I had no problems descending LeConte on very icy conditions last April with a pair However, they are a bit heavier, I think, and can be prone to rolling off if you're not careful. Yaktrax, I was told, tend to have the same issue. I think I'll make a web strap to go around the instep before I head down in January.

But if you you're on a budget, they're pretty nice.

Jan

12/14/2013 12:57:02 am

Katoolas Doug!! But the one time we needed them after a HEAVY snow during the night backpacking in the Smokies we didn't have them with us :( They are easy to slip over any boots.
There is NOTHING like being in the mountains in an unexpected snow though. It was absolutely breathtaking so we didn't care a snap!!
Bring on the hot chocolate!

doug y link

12/14/2013 03:55:01 am

Yes, and thanks Jan - - I've already added those to my "wish list" which I'll be taking with me to NOC, the sooner the better. I may get in trouble for the remark I'm about to make, generating a few terse replies, but I'll go ahead and stick my foot into my mouth ! : I can outshop any woman !! Yeah, I love to shop ! Why, I sometimes get out all my "specialty" catalogs and order this and that; it's not the thrill of opening the packages when they arrive, but the sheer anticipation and excitement I get while I'm expecting them ! I don't care about opening the packages, no matter if they'rte large or small, I just love expecting them !! Hooorah !! Now, your comment about an "unexpected snow" really brought back a lot of fond memories, especially of one tent camping in Elkmont. I pitched my tent there one winter's evening [back when that campground was open in the winter,,,,,,,] and the ground was relatively frozen, with only a thin coating of snow on. I awoke during the night with some of the largest snowflakes I'd ever seen striking my tent, a soft and gentle sound which was pleasant and fascinating. I laid there quite a while enjoying the experience wrapped in my expedition style sleeping bag as content and comfortable as I could imagine ! I woke the next morning at barely daylight to discover nearly eight inches of snow surrounding my humble tent ! Fantastic !! It was a long while before I got out and managed to actually cook a superb breakfast on a picnic table cleared of that snow. Now, there's nothing much that can top that for me ! Have a great weekend my friend !

Marilyn

12/14/2013 02:41:59 am

Good Morning everyone. Snowing here in Kokomo In. (Better that than the 2 tornados we had a couple weeks ago) Must have 3-4 inches and it is still snowing. Winter storm watch til 6 tonight. But it does looks so pretty and untouched as people are staying in on my street. Don't need the microspikes but skis would be in order today. Hot chocolate and One Summer America 1927 are my companions for the day. Hope you get some of this JP..don't know how far south its going. Await each day eager for your thought provoking words and descriptions and pics as well as those of the people who avidly follow this site. Ciao

Bill Drummy

12/14/2013 09:29:52 am

Wish that I were there.

The Real JP

12/14/2013 10:27:45 am

Bill,
Email me anytime if you want to make a trip up...

Mike E

12/14/2013 11:22:37 am

ok,....excuse me for asking...but what is NOC...that everyone is talking about....I finally get to spend the nite at the top in April...but have not been on mountain before....thanks...

holtknoblady

12/14/2013 03:01:34 pm

NOC is just about the best outfitter in these parts. Have been doing business with them since the 80s and trust them implicitly. The flagship store in Gatlinburg is beautiful and the last commercial stop before you enter the park from Gatlinburg side. Must check it out when you visit here. And for lots of outdoor activities (mountain biking, rafting,kayaking and zip lining) check out the Wesser Center on our NC side. Gets kind of crazy in the summer months but when the madness dies down, you can find good food, beer and music, alongside the Nantahala River!

doug y link

12/14/2013 11:06:38 pm

Yes, NOC is great; I bought many a piece of gear at the "Happy Hiker" and rather miss that little store. Time marches on. Going to NOC in a couple of days. I enjoy your perspectives !

Trail dog

12/14/2013 11:49:55 am

Nantahala Outdoor Center
http://www.noc.com/
3 locations: Wesser NC, Gatlinburg, Ashville NC.

Debi

12/14/2013 12:19:00 pm

JP- your having a heatwave up there my dear. 18 here tonight and suppose to get colder. Beautiful picture. Enjoy!

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tonight you're perfect. i want to fall in love with the stars in your eyes.

LeConte Lodge

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