The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

• The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

2014 marks the peak of the 11-year cycle of solar activity, which brings a huge amount of aurora here on Earth.

I had a love / hate relationship to the northern lights for a few years. I have traveled several times to different ends of the world to see it, and every time a beating. Clouds, snow, blizzards, low solar activity - apparently, all this prevented me to see the light.

Therefore, when at the last minute there was an opportunity to go on a trip with Jared and his team at Gondwana Ekoturs in Fairbanks, to try to see this light show, I was set on an epic journey filled with adventure, in which just wanted to show off. After 8 days, I thought I would start to get bored, but a miracle happened ...

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Our home away from home called Taste of Alaska, is located in 280 acres of natural wooded Fairbanks. There were a lot of open space, as well as a wonderful cozy atmosphere inside the house.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

A typical morning scene - it was possible to observe moose standing in front of the house, peacefully sipping morning coffee.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

It seems that Alaska taste was also home to the representatives of a rather eclectic art, such as this little piece.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

In forested areas nearby you can actively move around only with the help of snowshoes almost every day.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

You need to be alert from the moose in Alaska, because they are everywhere (and probably this is the most dangerous animal that can be found in the wild).

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

One of our trails on snowshoes.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Chena Hot Springs and Aurora Ice Museum are local attractions in Fairbanks and is open all year round, with a bar inside and a few incredibly beautiful ice sculptures.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

That kind of interior. The bar on the left - I can recommend to you the ice appletinisy.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Or, perhaps you would be interested to play the xylophone, carved out of ice? Or to see the frozen ice in a rose? What I list was created 15-time world champion cutting ice Bras Steve and his wife, Heather, six-time world champion, whose work is filled museum.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

One of the most impressive moments Chena- Hot Springs are their greenhouses. Alaska imports about 98% of their food, to grow which is not an easy task when you think of its geographical position. This is an alternative. While there were around 10, and the salad was nice and toasty as a temporary secretary, during his visit in the mid-70s in the greenhouse.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

hot springs themselves are a good place to relax after a long day. It is a strange feeling of climbing into a giant whirlpool in the snow and surrounded by ice-covered boulders, but it soothes.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Night after night, Jared and I in turn, heading out to check whether there is an aurora. Night after night, it never appeared. We waited and waited, and the best thing we saw was it was a lunar halo. Nice ... but not the Northern Lights.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

The activity lasted for a variety of excursions, such as on this day, we decided to go camping on deers.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

What is the difference between the horns over the door and antlers? Any ideas? Horn may fall.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

One morning, Mount McKinley was visible on the horizon ... a great idea to start the day.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Another part of the trip made it possible to go dog sledding. We spent the morning in the adventure on the feet, taking part in getting the true experience of riding a sled.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

The dogs did not seem to object to the cold, but I was against it.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

These dogs were very beautiful, and some had the most exquisite colored eyes I had ever seen.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Jared absorbs the best steak in Alaska.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Everyone should try the king crab and Alaska. This photo - before and after, as were the crab legs gnawed.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Shinji, who arrived from Japan, showed a real interest in the Alaska pipeline.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks Center, where you can always be hydrated in Mecca Bar.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

We even made a stop at the Fairbanks Curling Club ...

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

... where we hung out with the locals ...

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

... and find out once and for all, how to actually play curling. It's a pretty relaxed game that requires a large amount of elegance along with gentle touches. I may look in to the club and make a note there when I get home.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

When it was our last day in Alaska, I decided to fight again, but Lady Aurora to avoid me. My third attempt to photograph the northern lights. I began to think that once a failure ... but things have changed. According to the testimony of satellites launched an unexpected solar storm, and KP index began to rise. Evening came and I continued to watch each solar chart and now I can confidently say that the aurora was seen in Fairbanks.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

I jumped out of our hotel, and that's what I uvidel- dancing northern lights in the sky.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

I could not believe it - I changed my ticket for the flight and stayed one more day, and we spent all night driving around Fairbanks and photographing one of the most incredible natural show I have ever seen.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Northern Lights is impossible to describe in words. Observation of these dances and opening bright ribbons in the sky forced to lose the power of speech, even the most seasoned veteran.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Sometimes there were moments of pink and purple, which can be seen on top of a green color.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Evening scene in a parking lot ... Cleary Summit is one to remember.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

This guy, even though he was probably very cold, definitely enjoying the show.

The hunt for the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Regardless of where in the sky you looked, aurora did not go down in sheets.

One last frame of the night, when perhaps a slap would have removed the smile from my face ... the long wait, which is definitely worth it.