you're just like a dream. you're just like a dream.

2/13/2014

(Hark close and still what I now whisper to you, I love you, O you entirely possess me, O that you and I escape from the rest and go utterly off, free and lawless, Two hawks in the air, two fishes swimming in the sea not more lawless than we;) Whitman

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, snowy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 28 degrees. The overnight low got down to 15 degrees. It was 15 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation.The snow started flying around 11am yesterday and picked up throughout the day. The mountain received 9 inches of new snow, bringing our total to about 10 inches. The trails have soft, fluffy powder all over them, so be sure to have waterproof shoes, gaiters, snow pants and a change of socks if you intend to summit. Otherwise, you're gonna be in trouble. The Park Service is currently working on getting the roads open. That is sure totake some time, so I'd suggest hiking the Old Sugarlands trail or something in the Gatlinburg vicinity if you want to get out and move. It is getting dark around 6pm, so unless you have a headlamp and enjoy night hiking on uneven terrain, I'd suggest turning around at 3pm to ensure that you get back to civilization. Have fun!

Top photo: As the snow starts piling up... Above: Snowflake on my lens.

Blue haze as night falls.

The pow piles under headlamplight.

Pat N

2/13/2014 01:22:36 am

Yeah....Snow! Love the pics, JP!

Jo from NC

2/13/2014 02:02:56 am

You almost got your wish!!! Enjoy your blog and pics everyday!!

Shellah

2/13/2014 02:30:40 am

Beautiful!

norman

2/13/2014 02:35:13 am

Thank God the snow and ice! is starting to melt with blue sky and sun shine... snow is ok, but ice, too many people without power!!! beautiful picture there and here!

Cincy Mark

2/13/2014 02:44:58 am

Hiked up in about 6" of snow two years ago, and it was more strenuous than normal. It felt like double duty. Also, I know I didn't drink water like I should, (never felt that thirsty) and my legs felt like concrete. But...got the best pictures of any other time up top. It was stunning. Happy snow day , JP.

doug y link

2/13/2014 06:37:14 am

There are differing opinions about it, but I think it's generally thought that one should drink more water when hiking in the winter: I do, and I eat bananas for potassium which might alleviate that "concrete leg" feeling. Just one opinion.

2/13/2014 07:01:16 am

you could be right, Doug y

Jerry link

2/13/2014 09:36:38 am

A friend of mine from Chattanooga, TN, told me when I first stated hiking that he always started a long hike with two ibuprofen for swelling of joints, one aspirin for pain and a banana for the potassium to help with leg craps. He is a member of the Great Smoky Mountain 900 Miler Club.

Chris D

2/13/2014 02:51:57 am

Hiked up on Nov. 1, 2012 (Sandy storm) and it was amazing! The snow was drifted to the roofs at the lodge and about waist deep on the trails.

Larry O

2/13/2014 03:53:41 am

Hey Chris, I believe I hiked part of the way with you. If I am correct we were on the Rainbow trail and we pretty much had the trail to ourselves

Stacy R

2/13/2014 03:12:00 am

Good morning JP. We are coming up next Friday and staying at Leconte shelter. Do you need anything??? You may remember us from last years blizzard, we met you on our way up on rainbow falls then again later in the kitchen. We left you some presents!!! =) We will holla Friday the we are off to Ice Water on Saturday.

2/13/2014 06:55:03 am

I haven't checked it out myself, but the last I knew of the shelter was still closed by the Park Service because of a bear issue; I don't know, though, how they monitor that site.

2/13/2014 07:03:57 am

you could be right again... Doug

Tom

2/13/2014 08:35:34 am

Park shelter / back country reservation web page is stating ”Caution is advised at Mt. LeConte shelter due to bear activity”, but shelter appears to be open at this time to make reservations.

http://smokiespermits.nps.gov

The Real JP

2/13/2014 10:05:38 am

Hey Sta y,

I am terrible with names, but I'm sure I'll recognize ya when you are up next week! I could always use some more greens like kale, spinach and avocado! Thanks!

See you then!

PS: The shelter has been open for about a month now. The bear hasn't been seen since late December.

2/13/2014 03:17:44 am

Snow Ice Cream!! Bet the snow up there would make GOOD snow ice cream!! Just saying...

vol

2/13/2014 03:20:19 am

as long as it is not yellow snow

2/13/2014 03:33:52 am

You are right vol, You have to have enough commom sence to get clean snow!! Then you take the chance with all the pollutants man has put into the air!!!

Judy

2/13/2014 06:12:09 am

Following up on all yesterday's comments re JP's snow wishes. He knows what he speaks of. This link to a report may be of interest to folks who do not know LC receives enough precipitation to qualify as a temperate rain forest. That's a lot of snow potential. I personally had to postpone one Feb hike due to 52" on ground and I come in at 62". Finally went later when some had melted & iced over, was able to walk on top of 27" nicely up Alum. Still my fav hike! If link gives trouble, just google it like I did.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/topics/attach/pdf/ssd06-04.pdf

nerd

2/13/2014 06:18:32 am

don't confuse people with factual data

2/13/2014 07:07:48 am

you could be right... nerd... just saying!!

norman "abr"

2/13/2014 07:15:21 am

Doug, you inspire me on your site.. I'v eat at Bennetts Bar-B-Q.. Dont know if they'er akind to my 1st wife?

maite fdez link

2/13/2014 08:49:44 am

Hoy en Murcia hasta 27°C !! y tu Sergio en Knoxville pasando mas frío que en toa tu vida acho!! Es el cambio climático...No obstante se que estas feliz en la UTK.Besos de tu madre.Thanks Knoxville

2/13/2014 11:14:09 am

Bonne soiree, maite fdez: A lo largo de la historia del mundo, el cambio climatico ha ocurrido siempre en ciclos de repeticion sin fin.

2/13/2014 11:22:03 am

I hope I remembered my Spanish correctly in my reply to the reader above ! In English, my reply said; well, it's on my site.........

F = ( C x 9/5) + 32

Mohona Ausderau

2/16/2014 09:03:58 am

Love the post BJ. See you soon :)

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you're just like a dream. you're just like a dream.

LeConte Lodge

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