 When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it's over, I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument. I don't want to end up simply having visited this world. Mary Oliver Morning y'all, It's a beautiful, clear, COLD day up top. The high temperature yesterday reached 10 degrees. The overnight low reached negative 23 degrees. It was negative 21 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received 7 inches of new snow yesterday, bringing our snowfall total to 10 inches. The trails are still pretty slick, the 7 fresh powder inches are easy to walk through but there is still an icy baselayer beneath that. I would highly recommend Microspikes if you intend to reach the summit. Needless to say, it is extremely cold out. If you intend to reach the summit, be prepared for arctic temperatures. Windchills are expected to dip into the negative 40's on the summit. Be careful & have fun out there!  The snow was absolutely marvelous yesterday. The flurries started at 7:30am and really picked up around 11am. I waited until 3pm, then started skiing around the mountain. Boot deep snow, absolutely nobody else in the park (bless the snowy roads!), powder still swirling, trees laden with the heavy happiness of winter and self-propelled motion! What else could a young man wish for?! I carved a nice little run down from the office to the bear trap, 3 solid turns and about 10 seconds of snowy adrenaline. It was too much fun. I didn't realize I lost feeling in my hands until I tried to open the door. My smile clearly mattered more than the numbness. Sometimes, I can't believe this is my life. 
Alicia Giess
2/19/2015 01:14:43 am
We were there this summer and hiked to the summer, and I know how difficult a hike it is there. I cannot imagine hiking it in this cold, frigid, slippery weather. Kudos to you. You are amazing
Dick K
2/19/2015 01:15:43 am
You Lucky Dog, You!!
JP
2/19/2015 01:50:14 am
You know it Dick!!!!
Val
2/19/2015 01:38:21 am
You winter snow dreams are alive! lol
PKL
2/19/2015 01:55:23 am
-23 is one of the lowest air temp readings on record I think. Wow.
JP: It took me a few seconds to identify the heart in the one photo; nice composition. I enjoyed the quote by Mary Oliver. It reminds me of a line from a movie that said (to paraphrase): "Life gives you things throughout your years, then at a certain age it begins taking them back !" Well, I will resist this and fight it with every ounce of strength that I have ! Yes, get out and experience life in its fullest, staring danger in its face and living your adventures, whatever your particular adventure is for you personally ! As I like to say over and over: "The journey is the destination for no matter where you go, there you are" *{not my words, just paraphrasing a quote again}*
norman
2/19/2015 03:28:44 am
Was the ice on the inside or outside ? (Heart picture)
jeff
2/19/2015 02:15:55 am
Why all the sepia tone pics? Natural color is much more enjoyable.
Kent
2/19/2015 02:21:52 am
What I like about the black and white images is that they capture the essence of the subject, leaving it to your imagination to fill in the rest.
Kevin
2/19/2015 02:43:48 am
JP is entitled to his choices. Yes, natural color is nice, and that's ONLY a subjective opinion which everyone is entitled to.
norman
2/19/2015 03:23:15 am
I agree with both Jeff & Kevin. Share! and stay warm; physical, mental, & spiritual.
Brian
2/19/2015 09:03:27 am
Get a life jeff !
Elaine
2/19/2015 03:11:12 am
I thought perhaps that the snows in your New Hampsire and Vermont mountains may have you longing to be back there. It is obvious that the recent weather conditions in our Smokies have more than compensated in the joy category. I cannot fathom the feeling of being totally alone in that vast wilderness. Enjoy, JP. It will not last much longer.
Jen
2/19/2015 03:12:08 am
beautiful photos!!! Love seeing the mountain from your perspective, my daily view of LeConte is from a much lower elevation, however, still beautiful! Stay safe and warm JP!
Terry
2/19/2015 05:23:23 am
What type cold weather gear do you prefer when it is very cold?
Pat N
2/19/2015 06:22:29 am
Snow and cold...brrrrr...all making a new beauty at your mountain home. Take care, JP!
Ron Adams
2/19/2015 08:40:25 am
JP,
EMorrell
2/19/2015 09:34:01 am
The bear trap was there when we stayed over in early October. I think it was dropped off in September.
Jan
2/19/2015 08:54:27 am
I love the sepia tinted photos! That, and black and white bring out the most detail to a photo. I never realized that until I started checking out some of the photographers' works at National Geographic. Plus... the "old timey" look of the sepia is awesome! With those low temps you're having... maybe is killing off more of the nasties that are destroying some of the trees there! That would be great! Stay warm up there in paradise!
Franklin
2/19/2015 10:36:51 am
I always dreamed of having an epic adventure like you are living J.P. when I was a young man. Then "life got in the way". You know, things like a wife, a child, and work. I am too old now, but I sure enjoy living vicariously thru your posts and pictures. It's good you realize just how very lucky you are. Keep on keeping on !
Joseph N
2/19/2015 01:05:36 pm
Franklin, I don't know how old you are, but I have friends that are in their 80's that are living the dream that they have always wanted, and you could do it as well. If you are hungry enough for it then you can do it, even if its only for a short time at this moment. If you want it, you must first start with a dream, then a plan, then just do it..... Even if you don't believe, know there are people that want you to live an adventurous life.
Franklin
2/20/2015 03:23:28 am
Joseph N, thanks for the kind words. Now that I am retired I have some "mini adventures" planned. By mini I mean week long trips. Hoping to do part of the Superior Hiking Trail this fall. Not ready to be a thru hiker on the AT yet. I also plan to visit the Leconte Lodge again soon. Love it there.
Rebecca
2/19/2015 11:20:33 am
I also love the sepia photos and the vintage feel they evoke! You can almost smell the scent of an old picture album being opened and flipping through the memories.
Joseph N
2/19/2015 01:06:30 pm
FOR JP
JP
2/19/2015 01:29:10 pm
Joesph, I checked the website for the Hillsound /Freesteps crampons, and they are apparently essentially the same as the Katoohla Microspikes. Those are definitely better than YakTrax or instep crampons. And they are probably all you need on icy Smokies trails. Of course they aren't real crampons. But you probably don't need real crampons in this area unless you do something pretty vertical. Mine are rusting right now...
Adam
2/19/2015 03:42:34 pm
Just got inTownsend this evening. The town looks crippled. Hoping to find a way to come up Friday. fingers crossed.
Vonna
2/22/2015 11:03:24 am
JP, I liked the Mary Oliver quote and was wondering if I could put it on my Facebook wall. Your daily posts and pictures take me from flat, hot, humid Florida to one of my favorite places. My goal is to one day, hopefully soon, hike to the Lodge and take in the beautiful views and enjoy nature. In the meantime it's great to experience it through your eyes. Looking forward to warmer weather and rafting again!! Be safe.
Michael
2/24/2015 02:48:59 pm
So wikipedia says the all time low in february was 22. Does this observation officially count? Was the record broken? Comments are closed.
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