too real is this feeling of make believe, too real when i feel what my heart can't conceal.

12/17/2011

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion. Henry David Thoreau

Morning,

We had a rainy day yesterday. I didn't see another person on the mountain. The high was 42 and the low was 22. It was 22 and clear at observation. We got .85 inches of rain. It looks like we'll have a nice weekend to make up for how nasty yesterday was. Those lucky enough to get an early start to their hike today will be hiking into the clouds, as we're experiencing some inversion up top. It's pretty spectacular.

I had a really nice inside day yesterday. I finished Aldo Leopold's 'A Sand County Almanac' and did some laundry. I definitely needed the rest. I ended up sleeping 13 hours last night. I am hoping we get some snow soon. My White Christmas is in jeopardy!

Top photo: Inversion at dawn. Above & below: Inversion as the morning progressed.

H Clark

12/17/2011 01:21:27 am

Good morning to everyone. Today is my birthday and will probably indulge in over eating.

My goal for 2011 was to hike to LeConte on every trail. However, due to family illnesses, completed only three. I'll set the same goal for 2012.

Yesterday, Doug Y expressed that the hike exceeds the destination. I've always felt the same way about the scenery and the people one meets along the way.

edwinnia

12/17/2011 01:36:34 am

Happy Birthday to you, H Clark! That's a great goal to have; I might have to try that, as well! Enjoy all your indulgences!

JP, I love the pictures, absolutely stunning! Have a great weekend on top!

SERGIO link

12/17/2011 01:46:45 am

At work yesterday I would walk outside for a smoke & as I looked up at MtLecante I wondered if you would have any visitors ,bettin the trails were a sloppy mess.
Keep up the good work JP & cudos on the photos your sharen' with us

Devin R

12/17/2011 04:01:41 am

Waking up in Tampa after a week in the mountains is kind of a buzz kill. Especially when it's 70 degrees at 9am. Miss those brisk mountain mornings already.

Hope you get your White Christmas, JP! We're looking to have 80 degrees on our Christmas! =/

James C. link

12/17/2011 04:14:02 am

Happy Birthday H. Clark! May it be filled with much Joy and Happiness!!

Tony Ga

12/17/2011 04:55:26 am

Happy Birthday H. Clark!!! Which birthday is it?

JT mobile ala.

12/17/2011 08:25:44 am

Happy birthday H.Clark,keep up the good work JP love your messages and pictures everyday wish I was there.

Chris D

12/17/2011 08:34:46 am

Rode over New Found gap today and saw a
mother bear and 3 cubs. She was just off the road a little ways setting up against a tree feeding the cubs.
It's amazing how no one noticed them.

Carol in TN

12/17/2011 09:28:24 am

Wow! I would love to have seen that! I have been visiting the Smokies for 40+ yrs. and I've only seen one bear. Seeing the elk over in the Cattalochee was almost as good. I did get an adrenaline rush a couple of years ago when I almost stepped right on a rattle snake in the middle of a trail.

sandee link

12/17/2011 09:38:42 am

Singing loudly and off key :Dreaming of a White Christmas "....that's the way I roll! :0

Steve

12/17/2011 09:50:03 am

JP-thinking about hiking up ans staying overnight in the shelter over the New Year's weekend. Any recommendations? Never stayed in the winter months.

Debi link

12/17/2011 10:41:11 am

Good job JP. Doing great!! 13 hours of sleep, only in my dreams. Ohhh, to be young again.

Carol in Illinois

12/17/2011 11:09:45 am

Here is a question for ya all, how does JP keep his cell phone and computer charged up with no power?

Tony Ga

12/17/2011 12:16:33 pm

Solar panels

Tony Ga

12/17/2011 12:17:30 pm

Solar panels.

H Clark

12/17/2011 12:27:24 pm

Tony Ga -- 62nd birthday. I'm a newcomer to LeConte. First hike to the mountain was in 2009 at age 59.

A Lee

12/17/2011 01:25:22 pm

@Carol: solar power. Occasionally they can't post if they have too many days in a row of bad weather with no sun.

JP - thanks for the posts and especially the pictures. Hope you get to enjoy a White Christmas.

Doug Y.

12/17/2011 03:47:06 pm

Steve: any winter camping dictates that you have proper equipment, but that can vary widely according to the individual; layers, wind/rain suit, ice cleats, etc. jeans are worthless if they get wet; I try to keep weight to as low a level as possible; there are lots of lists and recommendations to look at for advice. It's a great time of year to do it, though !

Doug Y.

12/17/2011 05:17:34 pm

Carol in TN: I've been hiking, camping, and backpacking in the Smokies for 54 years and I've seen plenty of bears; woke up one night laying on my sleeping bag with one about four feet from my face; needless to say, I didn't even blink my eyes until she ambled away; hiking the A.T. thru the Park once (I try to do the 68 mi every five yrs or so) a small bear surprised me, rushing out of a brushy patch and nearly running me down; I swung my old tobacco walking staff at him but missed, breaking the stick in half; don't know who was more startled, me or bear !!! But believe it or not, in all my years in the Park, hiking every trail at least once, I have never encountered a snake, anywhere; I know they're around, but I just haven't met one, y e t;

12/18/2011 12:21:38 am

Steve,
First off, I'd make sure that the shelter isn't already reserved that weekend. It'd definitely a popular time up. After that, I'd google winter camping and make sure you have lots of layers, changes of socks, ice traction, a 0 degree bag and thick pad.

Carol in TN

12/18/2011 04:13:08 am

Doug Y, loved your bear stories! You are obviously a more heavy-duty hiker than I've ever been. Never spent the night out on the trail, & don't really have the desire to now, but I do love the Smokies. One of our favorite trails has probably been Ramsey Cascades, road was washed out when we were there, so we had to hike a couple extra miles total to get to and from trailhead. A storm was beginning when we were descending & we met a guy hiking up with a 6 pack of beer, I always wondered what happened to him (!)

Doug Y.

12/18/2011 08:02:46 am

Hey Carol: There's nothing wrong with not having a desire to spend a night on the trail; My wife is like that, and camping for her would be at a hotel with a fireplace and jacuzzi, which I like on occasion; but give me a tent anytime; Ramsey Cascades is a good trail indeed; I like taking it when there's little snow accumulation at the trailhead and its depth gets gradually deeper as you proceed toward the cascades; I followed some hiker up once who made these little 6" high snowmen about every half mile or so for whatever reason; guess he was having a great time, perhaps marking the trail for the next hiker ! Could it have been the guy packing that six-pack !? Many times I've encountered people on the trails wearing penny loafers and flipflops, packing canned food and all; I just don't understand those folks, but I suppose if that's the way they enjoy the outdoors, then more power to 'em ! As long as they pack it all out; "Leave No Trace" is of course the best policy.

Mandy

12/26/2011 05:18:08 am

Hi JP, I am Joy's new "friend"! My boyfriend, Mike Johnson is her long-lost cousin and I just recently hooked them up through Ancestry.com. I am excited to come up and see the beauty that is there in the Smokies! Maybe we can plan a hike? I'm a little disabled with having had my hip replaced several years back - never been the same since with a limp. But give me the wonderful outdoors anytime. Although, am a city girl so have not camped overnight but I think I'm at a stage in my life to consider it. The pictures and stories you share are wonderful! Thanks for being so considerate!! Hope you and family had a very merry Christmas. Looking forward to meeting you!

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too real is this feeling of make believe, too real when i feel what my heart can't conceal.

LeConte Lodge

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