The sun is out on LeConte.  We've warmed to negative 3.  I got out for some fantastic views.

    It's wonderful when the clouds settle down below the top of the mountain.  It's nice and sunny up here and still grey and cloudy down in the valley.

    It always amazes me how the snow and ice transform the objects I see every day.

    As you can see from my view this morning, the clouds are rolling in over the top of the mountain.  The forecast is calling for more snow but who knows how much?  It's a bit warmer today.  It's 16 degrees right now.  The low was 4 and the high was 17.  There's still a 15 inch base of snow on the mountain.  Highway 441 and Cherokee Orchaed road are open today so hikers can get to the trail heads.  But it may not be easy getting out!  The forecast calls for a couple inches of snow this afternoon.  If you're hiking the Smokies in this weather be careful and stay warm.

   A friend asked if I colud post a shot of Rainbow Falls so they could see how much ice is on the falls.  My friend Steve hiked past Rainbow Falls yesterday and sent me this picture.  Thanks Steve, this picture of the Falls really reminds me  of  how important it is to do what you love.  To live each moment, One Day At A Time. 

    It's still cold with snow flurries.  Our high was 7 with a low of negative 5 degrees.  It's currently 4 with partly cloudy skies and snow flurries.  The cold and clouds have offered us some beautiful views.  Sunset was brie last night.  Cliff Tops was in the middle of a snow cloud but when the cloud would break open the view was fantastic eventhough it was brief.  There's more cold and snow coming and with it will be more beautiful views to take in on Mt. LeConte.

    2010 is starting off cold with lots of snow and ice on LeConte.  After a high of 34 yesterday we droppped to 18 degrees this morning.  Light snow has been falling overnight into this morning.  There is 1 inch of new snow bringing us to 12 inches of snow total.  It's still snowing and it looks like it may get colder.

    Welcome to 2010!  I can't think of any other way I would want to start the New Year!

   After I reported the low temperature as 9 this morning the temperature promptly dropped to 5!  So far the high has reached 12.  It's been a crisp day to say the least.  I have been out for a walk and the mountain is beautiful today.  This image made me realize that the beauty of Mt. Leconte is reflected in absolutely everything here.

    I revisited the Old Fence Post today.  There's about two feet less snow around it.  Everything looks so clean when it's frozen.

    I went over to check on Millie's Place (The Honeymoon Suite).  It's lonely without you Millie!

    It's a frosty morning here on LeConte.  It's 8 degrees with light snow falling.  The high was 29  and the low was 8 degrees.  There's still about 16 inches of snow on the ground.  There's a lot of patchy ice so be careful if you get out to hike the Smokies today. 

    I'm hiking down the mountain to enjoy Christmas with family and friends.  There's 28 inches of snow on the ground.  It's 29 degrees out.  The low was 25 with a high of 34.  There are high winds and no precipitation.  Rain is on the way for the valley.  it's a gamble weather it will be cold enough to snow up here or rain.  I'm betting on snow.  I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas.

    We've had another beautiful day on Leconte with some fantastic views.  The snow gives everything a clean and crisp feeling. 

    This spot is on the trail going from the Lodge up to the Back Country Shelter.  When the Park Service used to allow tent camping on Leconte this was the camp ground.  The view here is almost always fantastic.

    Despite the sun we enjoyed yesterday and the scorching temperatures there is still 30" of snow on the ground.  The high was 33 degrees.  The low was 12 and it's currently 25.  We had a day full of beautiful sun but we didn't hardly have any snow melt at all.  I didn't see any day hikers on the mountain yesterday.  I hope to see a hiker today that can give me a report on the trail conditions.  Highway 441 and Cherokee Orchard Road are still closed.  There's no word from the Park Service on when they will have the roads open again.  Henry's going to wait until tomorrow to come up and relieve me so hopefully the roads will be open by then and the trails will be in a little better shape.  Will there be more snow fall falling on Leconte Thursday and Friday?  It looks like there's a good chance.  There is a high wind advisory in effect for Thursday night into Friday.  Winds up to 60 miles per hour.  We are used to that!  The roads to the trail heads should open today so hopefully I will be able to enjoy Christmas with my family tomorrow.  Well, time for breakfast!  Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and bagels!

    We reached a high of 33 today.  The sun melted a little snow but not enough to make much of a difference.  Highway 441 opened today but the Park Service say that they may close it again.  Cherokee Orchard Road never opened above Twin Creeks.  I didn't see any hikers today but I did see some beautiful ice and snow.

    Matt Hinkin emailed me a few questions I thought I would cover on the blog.

Power?    Solar and Propane.  I have some solar to charge the laptop, cell phone,  ipod, etc.  We use propane as our heating source and for refrigeration.

Fireplace?    No, the Park Service doesn't allow us to cut firewood.

Food?    My groceries came up on the Llamas towards the end of November.  All my fresh stuff has to come up on my back!

How Long Am I Up Here?    That depends on how I can schedule my relief.  Anywhere from one to three weeks.

Water?    I carry my water from the spring to the kitchen.  I store it in the kitchen so it won't freeze.

Personal Stuff?    Out House!