when the loneliness leads to bad dreams and the bad dreams lead me to calling you. and i call you and say cmere.

2/7/2014

The problem of self-identity is not just a problem for the young. It is a problem all the time. Perhaps the problem. It should haunt old age, and when it no longer does it should tell you that you are dead. Norman Maclean

Morning y'all,

It is another beautiful clear morning above the clouds. The high yesterday reached 27 degrees. The overnight low was 17 degrees. It was 17 degrees at clear at 7am observation. There was plenty of cloud cover and no warm temperatures yesterday, so there is still a trace of snow remaining up top. The trails are still surprisingly slick considering it last rained 4 days ago, but plenty of the water flowing off the mountain refroze into dangerous ice. Wear spikes and be cautious! You're a long way from help out here...

Yesterday was one of the most peculiar days I've seen up here. The mountain had a bright grey sheen to it, with an inversion cap in the valley and grey skies all day. It almost felt as if there were two different skies. I could see the Cumberland Mountains off in the distance above the first sky, then things closed off and greyed up as I looked towards the sun. It felt like an Alaskan twilight, an ebbing brightness that always seems on the verge of opening back up, only to fade away yet again. Instead of letting it also cloud up my mind, I decided to head out and investigate, to see if I could find more light in different spots on the mountain. Solar hide and seek. Goethe's last words were 'more light'.

Tim O' Thy

2/7/2014 01:40:20 am

Most exhilarating, I can vividly vicariously imagine!

Melissa

2/7/2014 01:41:05 am

Gorgeous pictures as usual and you have a way with words. Stay warm and safe!

doug y link

2/7/2014 02:52:26 am

Spending all week in the Gatlinburg area looking at some small cabins / cottages to purchase was a bit tiring, but I was successful. Got in a good day hike during the week, too. I really like today's wintery photo with Clingman's Dome in the distance; very nice. Looks like, from the week's posts, that I missed a wee bit, but I'll keep my opinions to my own site. Not many days remaining until the lodge reopens next month. This year I do hope to at least be around to witness the annual airlift. Hope everyone's well. G'day

tomk in SC

2/7/2014 03:04:30 am

DougY: I have had the airlift on my calendar for the last four years and have never been able to get there. I'm thinking either hike to the lodge and help, watch it from Myrtle Point, watch it from the Boulevard between Newfound Gap and Icewater or hang out at the launch point. What say you?
Tony GA: Things have changed. While we were a small group when McFalls started it, this site was like an extended living room filled with friends who love LeConte and a hot stove to sit around whilst sharing notions of a place we pine for.

Tony Ga

2/7/2014 03:14:35 am

tomk in SC, I look forward to checking this blog everyday for the "good" comments and can only shake my head when comments become nasty and personal. I guess the good outweighs the bad and that's why I still come here every day.

2/7/2014 03:15:07 am

hey tom k: To tell you the truth, it would be almost hard to decide on a viewing location for the airlift. My first thought is a convenient one up at Newfound Gap, although that would negate seeing the actual placing of the pallets at the lodge itself. Assisting at the lodge would be ok, although I think I read once that they limit the actual number of people they allow to help -- I'm just not sure about this. Cliff Tops would serve the purpose. I think this is my first choice.

Tracy G

2/7/2014 05:08:13 am

Tony Ga: I agree with your statement completely.

Barbara

2/7/2014 07:05:06 pm

Tomk in SC: the archives only go back to 2010. Is there a way to go back farther?

vol

2/7/2014 05:17:28 am

doug: congrats on finding a place. what area did you decide on?

2/7/2014 08:10:43 am

Hi vol: well, I've made an offer and am expecting a counter-offer within the next three or four days, and perhaps then I might tell you. It's a comfortable little place with lots of charm and will suit me very satisfactorily.

Mtn Rose

2/7/2014 04:49:54 am

Beautiful picture this morning!
Question: what is the air lift all about?

2/7/2014 04:58:16 am

Hi Mtn Rose: I'll try to answer your question. But if I have some details incorrectly I hope others will correct me, etc. Each year around mid-March the operators of Leconte Lodge arrange a one- or two-day supply airlift, using one of those "heavy-capacity" helicopters where they re-supply the lodge with their supplies and commodities for their coming season; I don't know their exact or entire list of "imperishables" that they receive, but it's a relatively popular and annual event; several lodge supporters, former guests, and so forth gather and help with this airlift, some at the lodge itself; I think the lodge accepts a certain number of "helpers" to assist right at the lodge; somewhere one earier posts here, you can find photos and other information about past lifts, and on other links to the lodge. Hope this has been a little helpful to you; other readers may have further advice and information. g'day

Air Lift link

2/7/2014 04:56:46 am

Copy and past or just click on the arrow beside Air Lift.

http://www.highonleconte.com/1/post/2012/03/great-day-to-fly.html#comments

SafetyBobTN

2/7/2014 06:41:09 am

Could someone post more info about the Cherokee shuttle from Newfound Gap to Alum Cave trailhead? Thanks

Glenn OH

2/7/2014 09:04:19 am

Hi Safety,I've used Cherokee Shuttle but it only runs 441 through the park but stops at all trail heads along 441 which works for Alum and the Boulevard, it's cheap,7 dollars one way,park at Newfound Gap shuttle to Alum hike up , down the Boulevard, call 866-388-6071or 828-497-5296, hope this helped !!!

safetybobtn

2/7/2014 10:24:33 am

Thanks Glen I'll give them a try

Franklin

2/7/2014 06:43:01 am

Hey Tomk in SC, whatever happened to Doug McFalls. Always enjoyed reading his blog.

2/7/2014 07:02:52 am

Franklin: Saw your question for tom k and wanted to add what I know about Dug McFalls; He's on Facebook as I sometimes get "updates' about him, etc. I enjoyed communicating with him during his tenure as winter caretake -- I remember some amazing photos from that winter when at one point they had about 48 inches of accumulated snow the ground around the lodge; I'm sure these photos are still on the posts for that season. g'day

2/7/2014 07:18:56 am

Thanks Doug y. I was wondering if he was still in the area around the Smokys

Jenny B. link

2/7/2014 08:21:35 am

JP, if you haven't read it already, you might be interested in a novel titled "Five Skies" by Ron Carlson.

The Real JP

2/8/2014 01:23:15 am

Hey Jenny,

Thanks for the recommendation! I will look into it. I enjoy your blog, too! Keep on living large in the backcountry!

Marilyn

2/7/2014 08:45:28 am

SafetyBobTn....

I just googled Cherokee shuttle smoky mountains and got their site. Lots of info. also A Walk in The Woods smoky mountains does shuttle service too. Hope this helps.

2/7/2014 09:17:04 am

Thanks, I'll try them

2/7/2014 09:56:18 am

Hey Doug, thank you for answering my question about the air lift. I had no idea this was how they did it. Sounds real exciting and seems like it would attract a lot of folks. Learn something everyday:)
I do enjoy all the good information that is shared on this site.

Comments are closed.

when the loneliness leads to bad dreams and the bad dreams lead me to calling you. and i call you and say cmere.

LeConte Lodge

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