
This time I would be travelling in mid-March, a great time to visit with rising temperatures (it’s a relative thing!), plenty of daylight hours and on average, clearer skies than the depths of winter. There is also significant evidence to show that solar activity is strongest around the equinoxes so with a reasonable weather forecast in place I travelled with a sense of optimism.
The first day brought snow, a hazard of the destination of course. On the second we awoke to fantastic blue skies and the sun bouncing off the brilliantly-white landscape. As we approached Muotka Wilderness Lodge late in the afternoon, the low sun scattered light through the forest and hope was beginning to grow.
After a fine meal we were taken by sled out through the forest and up the fell, stopping in a clearing which would hopefully provide us with a great view. A fire was lit and no sooner had we sat down to enjoy a coffee when one of the guides casually said ‘Auroras are starting’.
It started as a faint bridge across the sky and quickly developed into vibrant lights shimmering and swirling across the night sky. Rather than simply ‘Northern’ lights, they were overhead and for a short time in all directions.
I tried to take some photos but my results could never quite match the stunning reality. In the end, I decided to step back and just admire nature’s most mesmerising show.
Back at the lodge I spent much of the rest of the night excitedly popping out to see if there was any sign of a repeat showing. Sadly, it was not meant to be, but that night on the fell when the lights danced bright is a memory not to be lost. The experience left me wanting more and whilst some ‘bucket list’ activities can quickly be ticked off and moved on from, this is most definitely not the case with the Aurora Borealis and undoubtedly, I shall be back.