well bring me something new that i haven't felt before, like messages of love and directions to your door.

1/19/2014

Nothing prepared me for being this awesome. It's kind of a shock. It's kind of a shock to wake up every morning and be bathed in this purple light. Bill Murray

Morning y'all,
It's a cloudy, wintry day up top. The high yesterday reached 23 degrees. The low was zero degrees. It was 17 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. Get the latest news on road conditions at the Park's twitter feed!

The trails should still be in pretty good shape, as there has not been too much foot traffic and we haven't had high enough temperatures to start thaw/refreeze cycles. Enjoy the day!

Linda

1/19/2014 01:28:40 am

Wow, it is so beautiful there!! What a joy to see each day!!

Mike

1/19/2014 01:34:24 am

The snow makes everything pretty. However, please make sure that it's all gone by April 15. I have reservations for that night and would appreciate snowless trails.

nicole

1/19/2014 02:13:55 am

Love today's blog title! That's a great song, very fitting.

kathy

1/19/2014 02:14:31 am

JP I miss your enthusiasm and prose, don't let the assholes edit you

Jim in TN

1/19/2014 06:36:49 am

Please be respectful and don't be a potty mouth!

Aadrienne

1/19/2014 06:42:15 am

I agree. Kathy is no real lover of words... Otherwise, she'd have chosen hers apart from common vulgarity.

Jim in TN

1/19/2014 07:00:46 am

I believe she longs JPs words because they compensate for her own weak and offensive vocabulary.

Vinny

1/19/2014 02:18:01 am

I have been going to the lodge for the past couple of years but did not book a 2014 trip. These blog entries are making me regret that decision... I need to get on a standby list...

Kent

1/19/2014 02:33:52 am

What are the odds of actually getting a room when you fill out the "Wait List" form, I wonder? I didn't have any luck last year, that much I know.

I filled out the lottery form in August with a ton of alternate dates, but to no avail. I guess I should have called, but it's a bit late now. Oh well, I'll probably never stay at the Lodge for an overnight; rather I'll stick to the shelter to enjoy the sunrise and sunset on LeConte -- and enjoy day-hikes.

T-Wayne

1/19/2014 03:12:39 am

When visiting Leconte I've talked to people who were hanging out late in the afternoon hoping for a last minute cancelation. If there's not one,you can get down Alum in a couple of hours.

Kent

1/19/2014 03:55:22 am

That sounds like a good plan, thanks. I can always stay a little longer, enjoy the sunset, and hike down by headlamp if I don't snag one.

Kaye

1/19/2014 11:58:09 am

Kent, I never make reservations and get to hike every year. I fill out a date , I give a certain week of a certain month. You have to be willing to hike any day of that week. I usually have several months notice when a cancellation comes in. This method has worked for me for years now. Hope this helps.

Kent

1/20/2014 01:39:30 am

Thanks, Kaye. I'll give that a try.

PPotter

1/20/2014 02:45:42 am

Kent,
Just call the reservations number and ask what dates do you have open? They should be able to find you a reservation if you have a flexible schedule. The problem is they have grandfathered so many people on reservations it does not leave that many open dates..Of course thats just my opinion.....

Kent

1/20/2014 05:28:44 am

Yeah, I have heard about the whole "grandfathering" process from a few people.

Perhaps I'll give them a call at the office and see what they have for early November. I'm still planning a backpacking trip for June or July which will include a stay at the LeConte shelter.

Thanks for the advice. : )

Trav

1/19/2014 02:19:43 am

Avetts=Awesome great song!

doug y link

1/19/2014 07:01:39 am

Your bottom photo is very good; if I didn't know better you might convince me that I was looking at a scene from somewhere above the Arctic circle.

Pat N

1/19/2014 12:28:34 pm

I especially enjoy the last pic...my new desktop photo. Thanks for momentarily taking me to the mountain each day, JP.

Jay McA.

1/19/2014 01:23:19 pm

JP, my first trip up in 76 0r 77 was in 36" of snow. Cables were iced over except near the top. Thot of you today reading about mysterious Cicada 3013. The developers of this site have an affinity for the authors frequently quoted on daily posts. Keep up the good work!

Oldman

1/19/2014 04:11:35 pm

Old Leopard dead Wolf or Dog

1/20/2014 04:21:05 am

We always take a weekday they are easier to get and not so crowded!! in fall

jean d

1/20/2014 09:11:17 am

where is our JP?

I miss his daily update. I can faintly see the Smokies today and wonder what is going on up top. It is warm for winter down here in the valley. 57deg. Wonder if it is warm enough up top for the snow to melt.
I'll bet it has been a great day to be "summiting" as JP calls it.

Melissa G

1/20/2014 12:46:53 pm

Missed JP's update today. Hope the negativity that has been going on in the blog hasn't spoiled it for everybody else.

jack

1/21/2014 12:13:50 am

solar panels don't work so well on cloudy days

norman

1/21/2014 01:03:00 am

hey jack! do you think that is it?

Brad

1/21/2014 02:35:42 am

Where was that last photo taken? Doesn't look like the Smokies. I love the first shot with the snow on the firs.

Comments are closed.

well bring me something new that i haven't felt before, like messages of love and directions to your door.

LeConte Lodge

Archives