'North to Alaska' - aurora!!

Liz · #1 29-09-2013, 02:54 PM

On the big countdown now, as am leaving bright and early this Thursday morning.

Been planning this for awhile, and am flying into Fairbanks Alaska at latitude 65', where I will spend 10 nights. Yes, a long time for that time of year, but i want to see as much aurora as possible, accounting for some cloudy nights as well. Am staying at The Alpine Lodge on the outskirts of town, so hoping a little darker to start off with than in town itself. I will do a couple of tours, but mostly heading out in the wee hours around the Hotel, when the aurora are happening. You get an aurora wake up call from the staff.

I then catch the Aurora Train to Anchorage (lat 61') for 4 nights then fly to Vancouver for 8 nights, then make my way by bus up to Jasper, then Banff, then finish up in Calgary.

Am very lucky in that there is a Dark Sky Festival in Jasper whilst there, with lots of astronomical activities. David Levy is one of the presenters

!!

http://www.jasper.travel/dark-sky-festival-2013

Think i am all organised, with Hotels booked, bus/train tickets paid for and printed out. Cant wait!!!

Just wish I could work out the cable release a bit more, tricky stuff when I havent done it before, but been having a play this arv, hoping will be fine.

batema (Mark) · #2 29-09-2013, 03:04 PM

Have a FANTSTIC time. Can't wait to hear how you went.

Mark

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #3 29-09-2013, 05:10 PM

I hope you have the best time Liz, with plenty of Aurora and nice people around you to share the experience.
Just don't forget to set the camera to bulb.

Liz · #4 30-09-2013, 05:17 AM

Cheers Mark ad jjj - am sure it will be fabulous, and the canon wont go off the Bulb.

Been trying to work our that timelapse stuff on the cable release, left it to the last minute off course, and tricky.

rcheshire (Rowland) · #5 30-09-2013, 06:30 AM

Have a great time. I am thoroughly envious. We have just returned from a similar trip and want to give up our jobs and go back. Missed the Northern Lights due to weather

gary · #6 30-09-2013, 10:33 AM

Hi Liz,

Have a great trip. Have a safe trip. Hope the aurora put on a magnificent show for you!

niko · #7 30-09-2013, 12:00 PM

good luck Liz.

I couldn't make my trip work out but I hope you gets lots of auroral activity

niko

Liz · #8 30-09-2013, 10:03 PM

Thank you Rowland, Gary and Niko - Am lucky to have 10 nights at Fairbanks, so I WILL definitely see aurora, and, having never seen it before, will be an amazing experience. I know it will be cloudy on some days, as Accuweather has shown me ... .and some snow!!

Bad luck Rowland on missing the aurora, must be hard on limited time in these towns,and best of luck Niko for your trip .... one day.

On more 12 hr shift to work, and holidays!!

erick (Eric) · #9 01-10-2013, 03:21 AM

Have a wonderful trip, Liz and keep safe. Looking forward to your reports and photos.

Allan_L (Allan) · #10 01-10-2013, 03:51 AM

Good onya Liz...
Hope you have a great time.
Looking forward to your happy snaps on your return.

Liz · #11 01-10-2013, 05:10 AM

Thank you Eric and Allan, my Mt Carbine buddies!!

Rob_K · #12 01-10-2013, 10:33 AM

Good luck Liz, have a great time!

Look forward to seeing your shots...

Cheers -

AstralTraveller (David) · #13 01-10-2013, 10:49 AM

Woot woot! Have a great time. I assume you have plenty of camera batteries and memory cards?

Mods: Prepare some more server space!

rustigsmed (Russell) · #14 01-10-2013, 12:01 PM

Looks like some possible activity Oct 2/3 UT.

Kunama · #15 01-10-2013, 01:32 PM

Very jealous of this trip Liz, Bon Voyage ! I grew up watching aurorae near Lapland. Taking my wife to see it next March.

Octane (Humayun) · #16 01-10-2013, 04:45 PM

Have a great time, Liz. Look forward to your piccies.

H

Liz · #17 01-10-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_K

Good luck Liz, have a great time!

Look forward to seeing your shots...

Cheers -

Thanks Rob, I still cant believe that I am about to embark on this great adventure!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

Woot woot! Have a great time. I assume you have plenty of camera batteries and memory cards?

Mods: Prepare some more server space!

Only have 1 spare battery ... should have got another ... maybe, lots of memory cards though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

Looks like some possible activity Oct 2/3 UT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

Very jealous of this trip Liz, Bon Voyage ! I grew up watching aurorae near Lapland. Taking my wife to see it next March.

Sounds exciting, and lucky you to have experienced it in your childhood,a magical experience, and something to look forward to next year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Have a great time, Liz. Look forward to your piccies.

H

Cheers H, cant even imagine the amount of piccies I will take!! Didi I see somewhere that you are planning a trip???

spacezebra (Petra) · #18 01-10-2013, 09:14 PM

Have an excellent time Liz, travel safe and lots of pics please... :-)

Cheers Petra d.

Octane (Humayun) · #19 01-10-2013, 09:26 PM

Liz, yes. Iceland in February.

H

Liz · #20 02-10-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacezebra

Have an excellent time Liz, travel safe and lots of pics please... :-)

Cheers Petra d.

Thank you Petra, that wont be a problem, I am camera armed and dangerous!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Liz, yes. Iceland in February.

H

Oooh, fabulous and exciting.