Phoenix Aurora Over Dettifoss: A Perilous Journey for a Breathtaking Shot

Chasing the Northern Lights is often an adventure, but for one intrepid photographer, the pursuit of a unique shot over Iceland's majestic Dettifoss waterfall turned into a truly unforgettable, and at times, nail-biting experience.

The Treacherous Path to Dettifoss

The journey to Dettifoss in winter is not for the faint of heart. The road was classified as "extremely slippery, travel not recommended" due to a treacherous combination of ice and melting snow. Despite the warnings, the allure of capturing a spectacular aurora display propelled our photographer and a friend forward.

The drive there was indeed slippery but manageable. However, the return journey in the darkness and biting cold proved far more stressful. A near-disastrous skid on an incline in the van highlighted the precariousness of their situation.

Once at the waterfall, a further 20-minute trek through deep snow, complete with crampons, was necessary to reach the viewing point. The sheer power of Dettifoss was palpable, its roar echoing through the landscape.

Phoenix Aurora at Dettifoss

A Celestial Dance and a Forgotten Plate

With the waterfall not perfectly aligned for an overhead aurora, the hope was for a strong display that would illuminate the eastern sky. As night fell, the clouds miraculously cleared, and the aurora soon followed, exploding in a spectacular fashion.

Excitedly heading back towards the falls, the photographer set up one camera for a timelapse. However, disaster struck when it was realized the plate needed to mount the second camera for a panorama was missing. This meant a frantic, solitary 40-minute round trip back to the van, all while the aurora intensified above and the thought of a recently spotted polar bear in the area added a layer of anxiety.

The Phoenix Emerges

Despite the challenges, the effort was rewarded. The aurora that night was described as "crazy" and took on many incredible shapes, ultimately resembling a magnificent Phoenix. The resulting panorama, a stunning composition of 49 images, captured the ethereal beauty of this celestial event against the backdrop of the mighty Dettifoss.

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