Well, everything is white again up here on top of the mountain! We received 4 inches of dry powder snow during the night. The current temperature is six degrees. And of course Highway 441 to Newfound Gap is closed today.
I apologize for not having some really AWESOME pictures for y’all of a MAGNIFICENT Mt LeConte sunset. I went up to Cliff Tops a little early this past evening because the skies had been clear all afternoon, and I was certain that yesterday would be the best sunset that we had witnessed since I came back up here a week ago! Since I was early, I stopped by the backcountry shelter as I customarily do in the late afternoon to “meet and greet” my “new neighbors” for the night—but nobody there. So I continued on up to Cliff Tops and got there early. Since I was early and had time to spare I decided to experiment with the cell phone, rather than “waste time”. Surprise! I was able to receive a stronger signal than I had anticipated! I was able to listen to my favorite Blue Grass radio station! So I decided to try to make a phone call and called a backpacking friend of mine—so I sent him a text message. Then I tried calling another friend—and the phone went dead! I guess that cell phones don’t like 12 degree temperatures!
So I couldn’t take any pictures! And by the time that I had hiked back down to the lodge and warmed up and recharged the phone, the sun had set—I’ll try again tomorrow!
It’s very interesting to be living “off the grid” on top of some mountain. Since it was nice and sunny yesterday afternoon the solar panel which charges the battery which in turn charges the cell phone on which I make these daily posts was able to charge the battery back up to a decent percentage. Which means that I’ll still be able to do my daily posts for a few more days—even if it’s cloudy! This morning the solar panel is covered with snow.
If should decide to visit Mt LeConte today you will need a warm coat, hat, and heavy gloves or mittens—and I would recommend mittens, as they are warmer than gloves. And of course bring your traction devices.
Stay safe and warm.
HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert
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