Chasing the Aurora: A Van Life Dream Fulfilled at Vestrahorn, Iceland

A truly unforgettable night unfolded for this amateur astrophotographer during a late October van trip through Iceland. After two days of frustratingly cloudy skies, the forecast for October 31st at the dramatic Vestrahorn mountain finally promised clarity and, hopefully, the elusive Northern Lights.

Campsite under a giant aurora arc over Vestrahorn, Iceland

A Race Against the Elements

The anticipation was palpable as the team settled onto the beach facing Vestrahorn. The sunset was captured, and as night fell, the cameras were ready. However, the sky remained stubbornly devoid of auroral activity. To salvage the night, a decision was made to capture a night panorama of the stunning landscape.

But the Icelandic elements weren't done yet. The wind picked up significantly, bringing with it a chilling cold and a relentless barrage of sand. This fierce weather wreaked havoc on the equipment, ruining one intervalometer and damaging another, with the autofocus ring on a lens bearing the brunt of the sandy onslaught.

A Moment of Pure Magic

By 9 PM, with still no sign of the aurora, the decision was made to pack up. As they turned back towards the van, a final glance north revealed a breathtaking surprise: the sky had erupted in a vibrant display of lights above the mountain! A flurry of excitement and controlled chaos ensued as they scrambled back to their shooting spot.

Mesmerized by the celestial dance, it took a good 40 minutes to readjust settings and begin capturing the first shots. The aurora arc was so vast at this point that they decided to take more panoramic shots and time-lapses, intentionally including their van as a testament to their mobile home for the adventure.

Mission Accomplished

From 9 PM until 1:15 AM, the shooting was non-stop. The team then drove to another location to extend their aurora chase, which continued until 3 AM before gently fading. The night at Vestrahorn was a resounding success, yielding a collection of panoramas and time-lapses that exceeded all expectations.

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