Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland

I left in a hurry Friday night and drove to Þingvellir, where I was hoping to find a clear sky and a spot protected from the wind. It was mostly cloudy but I did get to see some amazing Northern Lights.


Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Waiting

It's just past midnight and the Northern Lights haven't appeared just yet, so I set up the tent while waiting

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Northern Lights

1am - Here they come

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Colors

Green, blue, red, orange, pink, a fantastic show of colors

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Clouds

But quickly, too quickly, the clouds take over the sky

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Gone

And then they go, leaving the sky to the stars

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Back

And an opening in the sky reveals more Northern Lights. In the background on the right side the fog I drove through on the way here is coming back

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Lights on

Same photo but this time I went in the tent and played with the flashlight

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

1h35am

But not for long so I get the stove out

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Melting snow

And I melt some snow to prepare a hot drink and warm up a little

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

7h15am

View of the camp in the morning. The tent was just for "show" as there was hardly any wind and I preferred to sleep outside under the stars

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

The Jeep

Mandatory shot

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Frost

A bit of snow fell during the night
The North Face sleeping bag was originally rated for a comfort temperature of -29°C but after years of reliable service, I doubt it would get a -10°C rating now if tested.

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

7h30am

The mountain is slowly waking up, soon the sun will shine through the clouds, the light will change, and the colors will come back

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Mud Terrain

No comment on this one, it's a Jeep thing

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

Again

It's a Jeep thing

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

From snow to water

8am - Time to melt some snow to have some water to drink for breakfast. I left home in a hurry and did not take any water with me, knowing that I had ways to melt snow once in the mountains

Northern Lights, Þingvellir, Iceland, March 2012

8h15am

Enough snow has been melted and I can now enjoy a warm drink for breakfast