Chasing the Northern Lights

So where are we going to go? It was 4:15PM, and time was running out. We needed to make a decision.

There was a huge solar storm bringing the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, and we’d been debating for the last 20 minutes trying to decide where to go. Clear skies for the entire state were also in the forecast, so our options were only limited by the time it would take to get there.

We’ve attempted to see the Northern Lights in our area before and it ended up being a bust. Would we even be able to see anything?

We decided to head for the mountain (Rainier) where we would get great views with minimal light pollution. It would be fun to hang out for the evening even if the lights never showed up.

Scott found a place in Ashford where we could stay overnight. We didn’t want to try sleeping in the car or have to drive home in the early morning hours. We quickly gathered our camera gear, brewed some coffee for the thermos, and packed the overnight bags. We were off.

We had a particular viewpoint in mind that we were hoping would be accessible (it requires snowshoes in the wintertime). We approached it with fingers crossed and were pleased to find that we were able to park and walk just a few yards to the viewpoint we were after. Even better, it was blocked off from cars, and in a spot without danger of falling rocks. It ‘would be a great place to hang out for the evening.

It didn’t take long for others to join us. The word had gotten out and everyone was excited and hopeful for what we would see. There were people from different parts of the country, and from around the world. Some in their 20’s and some in their 60’s. Most taking pictures with their phones. A few others – like us – had brought their cameras.

As the sun set I began to take some test shots to see if anything was showing up yet. To my eye the horizon was looking a little pink, but I thought it may have been from the sunset.  I was surprised to see colors showing up in my camera even before it was dark yet.

And then it was simply AMAZING!

While the colors are not as vivid to the naked eye as they show up in the camera, we saw magenta glow, and pillars of light, tinged light green. These pillars of light began to reach up the sky. Then around 10:45 PM the entire sky was filled with them, joined by our exclamations of wonder.

“Whoa…”

“Look up! Look up!...”

“Wow! I never thought I would see this…..”, 

“Look over here….”,

“Look over there….”,

“Amazing!....”

“Can you believe this?...”,  

And on and on.

I was off my chair, sitting on the ground, looking up and joining with everyone in the wonder of the moment.  It was simply AMAZING!

Thankfully my camera was set up on a tripod so I could just push the button now and then without being tied down to it. I’m very pleased with the pictures we got, but it was even better being there with everyone and sharing the experience.