Stupid stuff that I do chasing the Northern Lights…

Stayed in Healy last night as part of this year’s Denali trip. For some reason I woke up at 0446 and noticed the message light on my phone was flashing. Nope, wasn’t a message but an alert from the Aurora App on my phone stating,

“There’s 56% chance of seeing the Northern Lights in your current location now.”

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! It’s go time! Throw on some clothes, grabbed the keys and head out to the parking lot of the hotel. Even with the bright lights in the parking lot there’s green streaks in the sky overhead. OK, time to jump in the truck and get away from the man made lights to see the Northern Lights.

THUMP! Ok, pothole in the driveway I didn’t see cause the windshield is frosted over, yes it’s 24 degrees outside…. Drive up Parks Highway and I can see Lady Aurora just exploding in a green colored bonfire on the horizon. Way cool! I need to find someplace to pull off and watch. Turn left onto the side road, a narrow 2 lane leading off into the woods and find a pullout on the shoulder that offers a view.

Bail out of the truck and start cussing up a storm because I left the lights on automatic and they aren’t shutting off by themselves. SHIT! Get back into the truck, turn lights from auto to off then bail out again. Drop keys and realize, it’s dark as crap out here, back into truck to turn lights on so I can find my keys I just dropped on the ground…

Lights off, it’s dark and I’m mesmerized by the show the Lights are putting on and think, “I really need to set up the camera and get some pics of this. Then realize that my camera is back in the hotel room. Then think, I’ll use the camera on my phone, it’s also back in the hotel room. OK, just enjoy the view and realize it’s a little cold and I’m standing outside in just a t-shirt and lightweight jacket, yep my cold weather gear is in my bag back in the hotel room. Then hear something go SNAP! In the woods behind me and realize my revolver is also back in the hotel room. Then I realize the name of the road I turned off on is Stampede Trail, this is where Chris McCandless set off from before meeting his demise in the book, “Into the Wild, Death of an Innocent”. And I think to myself, “This is where it ends…”

Into the Ditch, Death of an Idiot.

Holy S*$t!! Did you survive? Did you see the lights?! Was it a grizzly, a wolf, or a wendigo that made the noise in the woods?! Come ON MAN!! DETAILS!!!!!

All I can say is - I wish I were there.

Well as long as you like them I.e. moth to the flame, and really dig the cosmic rays along with gamma radiation… Best of luck! Sounds like if the BGs , bears don’t find you … Solar radiation just might

Some people need a bugout bag, it sounds like you need a middle of the night in the freezing ass cold try not to die in the woods aurora chasing bag.

Aside from you trying to kill yourself, that's so cool. I've never managed to see them. Seeing the northern lights is high on my bucket list.

Z-71, that's funny right there, I can definitely relate to driving around looking for the best place to see the lights

On a different note we will be traveling to ANC sometime in October and would like to get together for dinner, I'll email you.

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
Holy S*$t!! Did you survive? Did you see the lights?!...

He saw the light, walked through it, and now, the man is posting from the other side.

Dont see them as often as people get to in Alaska, but I just walk out on my patio to see them. One of the perks of living in the Frozen North.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
Holy S*$t!! Did you survive? Did you see the lights?!...

He saw the light, walked through it, and now, the man is posting from the other side.

NO SPOILERS IN THIS THREAD!!!

That is one of the stuff I would like to check off my bucket list. Im glad you had the chance to see it. I can only imagine the feeling of seeing it in person.

I was up there a little over a month ago, but didn't see the Aurora. Denali showed its face, though.

flashguy

Are you guys aware that the Aurora also makes sounds a lot of the time?

That's as fascinating as the light show.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Are you guys aware that the Aurora also makes sounds a lot of the time?

That's as fascinating as the light show.

Yes it does.

Just get away from the city, and into the real Alaska, and you'll see lights.

Saw them while aboard ship in the ocean north east of New Foundland. Truly a sight to see.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Dont see them as often as people get to in Alaska, but I just walk out on my patio to see them. One of the perks of living in the Frozen North.

I lived in Alanson for almost 25 years, it's a little town halfway to Pelston from Petoskey. Saw the northern lights more than a few times, beautiful!

Saw them once on a clear night in the Beartooth Mountains of Wyoming around midnight.

Words cannot describe their beauty.

PC

quote:

Into the Ditch, Death of an Idiot.

Where's that series going to stream?

I mean if The Morning Show on Crapple Tee Wee can turn 2 pertinent #meetoo episodes from 2019 into a second season in 2021, this has more legs than the second season of The Walking Derp.

(honestly, well told o.p. story)

In the 1970" at FT. Greely /Delta Junction which was 100 miles east of Fairbanks got to "see the lights" many times. I tell people that NO photos ( even National Geographic quality) can come close to what I actually saw be they small streaks or covering complete sky horizon to horizon. Greens /blues / pinks / yellows / purples dancing as if to a musical tune. And yes they do make sounds as they dance across the sky. I donot care what the smart people say about them making sounds. .......................... drill sgt.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: drill sgt,

Look at the KP Index. A prediction index. Looks like high probability tonight.

I saw them once in northern Arkansas in the 1950s. Odd, but it happened.

flashguy