Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Good Afternoon,

Welcome to a wet Wednesday in the wilderness. The clouds and passing showers have settled into the region and are going to hang around a few days. Yesterday the skies leaked a little more than a half inch of liquid precip on the mountain. Temps have remained stable, as our high-to-low variance was only 49-43° and we’re right in the middle of that range currently. Highs in the 50s are expected the next couple days. Winds aren’t terrible at the moment, but gusts should pickup again tonight blowing around 40mph.

When conditions are dark and cloudy like they are currently, it can force one to look more closely at their immediate surroundings. Often atop Mt. LeConte, the grand views at places like Cliff Tops grab one’s attention. The grand and distant views are inherently awesome and captivating. Our jaws drop and our minds easily wander off into the unknown and unseen. But when the cloud walls crowd in the periphery, and damp surfaces coated after a recent rain redefine the landscape’s contrast, objects and movements within a stone’s throw and an arm’s reach suddenly reel us in. Almost as if the old buildings have seized their moment and start speaking to us, or the trees whisper their wisdom with each passing breeze. Rain or shine, calamity or calm, there is always magic on the mountain to behold.

​Have a great rest of the day.