January 2026

January 30th

• Guests / Country: 2 guests from Romania. 
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Rekvikeidet / Balsnes / clear.
• Aurora activity: 7/10.
• Aurora show: First a couple of arks low on the north sky with curls and spikes, and out from nothing a lovely pink dance all over the sky ... and then quiet for a while ... before a huge KABOOM !! out from nothing with a crazy dance above us with a couple of good coronas.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green and little pink.
• Tour km: 145.
• Tour hrs: 6,5.
• Wildlife: 2 moose.

It was freezing cold out on the coast, and no activity forecasted for the next hours, so after a detour to our lovely 360 degrees viewing point at Rekvikeidet on the west point of Kvaløya island, we returned just after a short moment ... after taking a few pics out there of the lovely mountains ...

The weather forecast said it should come in cloud later, so I didn`t took the chance to suddenly be under the clouds, when the activity started, so it was cause the `no activity` moment and too cold with the wind out on the coast, I decided to do a night sightseeing to different locations with a drive towards the country side ...

But, we didn`t came so far ... since when I made a pit stop on the mainland just south of the city, I discovered it was no wind there ... so, then the final location was given ... and it`s always lovely to stay on a beach with silent water ...

And the lovely evening ended with a proposal for the young couple from Buchuresti ;)

January 29th

• Guests / Country: 16 guests from Germany, Spain, China and UK.
• Weather Tromsø: Cloudy / snow.
• Destination / weather: Balsfjord / Malangen south / Laksvatn fjord / gaps in clouds / clear.
• Aurora activity: 6/10.
• Aurora show: Several stripes across the north sky, and then a kaboom show on the south sky. Dancing curtains, spikes and curls. A small corona.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Green and little pink.
• Tour km: 280.
• Tour hrs: 8,5.
• Wildlife: A fast running hare (rabbit) and a moose.

The forecast said it should clear up from south, so then I decided to drive that way and meet it, and then backtrack to one my last "secret spots" by a frozen lake ...

... so, I got little surprised when one of my colleague said he drove 60 km west to Sommarøy where he was waiting in the snow showers with his guests ... so a moment I was thinking about to return and drive that way instead, but nop ...

We got little Aurora 75 km south of the city in a huge gap, but it got overcast again ... so, we contiuned to a gas station 120 km south of the city at Buktamoen, since I didn´t wanted to spend time in the long toilet queue at the first one ...

It was partly clear in this area, so instead of change my plan, by driving further west towards Senja, where the sky was super clear, I decided to drive as planned ... but, that was a little mistake, since it was totally overcast, so I was thinking little about to drive back to the coast, but since it wasn`t perfect and still snow in the air out there, I decided to head towards east instead, since the sky had got totally clear east of the Lyngen Alps.

On our way, we got the beginning of a great show in some gaps towards south, but it went fast away and when we came to the lake, where the sky was partly clear with some gaps, the show was over ... but, we stayed out there in about 30 mins before we contiuned further east.

When we came back to the main road around 11.30 pm, the sky was super clear around Balsfjord too, so then it was no need to drive further east towards Skibotn, so for having a shorter return we drove towards the city, and went out by the fjord by the Lyngen Alps.

Then I told my guests, that we`re not leaving before you get a good one ... so, I decided to stay out there at least to 1 am ... and just before, the faint stripe on the south exploted, and we got a great performance of Lady Aurora.

With happy guests we was back in the city 1,5 hour later.

Action along the roads:
- Veichle control in Nordkjosbotn, but since I was in a huge control ten days ago, they sent me further after 2 mins, but an other guide or a new bandit (?), was not so lucky, since he couldn`t drive further, and had to order a taxi for bring his guests back to the city ...
- The country side road further west was partly closed of the military police, cause of a accident.
- A moose beside the road
- A super fast running white rabbit crossed the road.

January 28th

• Guests / Country: 4 guests from Spain and Australia. 
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Kattfjordeidet / Mestervikeidet / clear / incoming clouds / clear / haze.
• Aurora activity: 7/10.
• Aurora show: All over and little towards south, curls, spikes and pink dancing curtains, and a couple of small coronas. Little red on camera.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Green and pink.
• Tour km: 150.
• Tour hrs: 6,5.

First plan was 60 km west to Sommarøy, but when the clouds came in from north at the end of our first stop 25 km from Tromsø, I got unsure of that plan and did a back track and went south towards Malangen on the mainland.

Was thinking about one of my last `secret spots`, but so far we didn`t came since the activity was building up again after a break, so then I choose to drive to a beautiful location with an amazing view towards the south sky and the surroundings landscape where I have only be one time during my 20 seasons of driving.

And again we got several good dance show with pink and some small coronas, but not really great.

It was freezing cold, only 15 minus, but with fog down by the next fjord it was a lot of water in the air, so much that also my camera got frozen.

Then the suddenly the clouds arrived, but they dissapear short time later, and we got little more of the Northern Lights, but nothing like the night before when it was very intense and came in several waves.

So, we returned back towards the city via Kvaløya island, but since it was much more clouds closer to the city, then the chase also ended without seeing any more ...

But, most important, my guests was happy ;)

January 27th

• Guests / Country: 2 guests from Singapore. 
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Ersfjordbotn / Kaldfjord / Vågbotn, Grøtfjord / clear.
• Aurora activity: 8/10.
• Aurora show: All over and far south, curls, spikes and pink dancing curtains. Red on camera for a moment.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green and pink.
• Tour km: 100.
• Tour hrs: 5,5.
• Space show: A couple of good fireballs.

Did it easy tonight and went straight west to the most exciting area we`ve outside the city, with a wild fjords and mountains area in Grøtfjord, on Kvaløya island ... but, first a short stop in Ersfjordbotn, where I haven`t shoot Aurora pics for a while.

Then we did a new short stop along the road since the activity was building up ...

And then I stopped at a place where I never had stopped before, since it`s just a very small pocket for the bus to stand in, but since the snow was hard we could easy walk out in the terrain with a lovely view over the fjord and the surroundings mountains, which is very beautiful when the moon lit up the landscape.

Our very good Aurora forecast didn`t showed any good activity, but suddenly the sky in the south got green too, so something bigger was building up ... and after 30 mins it began, and it danced intense in green and pink, and at a moment it came in a red field in from east too.

I set a camp fire and served my guests with hot drink and local sweet snacks, but they got quickly cold, so after the great show we contiuned little further ...

I was thinking about to drive up to Rekvikeidet, but two 50 seats buses had drove up there, so I decided to quit that idea and just took a short stop down in the valley, where the temperature had dropped down from 7 minus to 12 ...

But, my guests was happy for what they had seen, and since they was alone in the bus I let they decide the return time ... but, I knew Lady Aurora not was ready with her performance ...

So, on the return a new lovely wave began, but then we had none places to stop, and after I dropped them off in the city just before midnight it came a new one ...

But, on my way home, 30 mins north of the city, then probably tonight`s best show started ... and I got part of it filmed ... please check it on my Insta #guidegunnar.

January 22nd

• Guests / Country: 10 guests from Germany, Austria and USA.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Malangen south / Signaldalen / clear.
• Aurora activity: 9/10.
• Aurora show: All over and far south, curls, spikes and colorful curtains ... and then a crazy Pink Rock`n`Roll show with insane dancing all over, especially towards south and east.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright Pink, yellow and green.
• Tour km: 265.
• Tour hrs: 8,5.
• Wildlife: One fox and two moose.
• Space show: An bright falling fireball.

Clear sky all over, so I could again do it short and easy, but I felt to drive little after too many short chases on the coast lately ... so, I decided to do a round trip around the fjord Balsfjord south of the city ...

And since there was no Aurora activity early in the evening, so we could spend little time to drive, instead of waiting out in the cold before the activity hopefully started later ...

Was first planned to start the drive out on the main road from Tromsø, and then do the first stop in Laksvatn fjord by the Lyngen Alps 50 km SE of the city, but it was traffic chaos in the city around the bridge, cause a closed tunnel under the strait by the hospital.

So, we started with a drive via Kvaløya, and then the tunnel under the strait to the peninsula Malangen ... where I still have one of my last secret spot, after all the other has been found by the other Aurora Guides.

We arrived our first spot after 100 km and 1,5 hour drive, where I bring my guests out on the frozen lake where the temperature was minus 15, but with no wind it was a lovely moment in totally silence ... but, still no activity, except a couple of very tiny and faint stripes across the sky, so we continued further south east via a toilet stop in Nordkjosbotn, and then the activity was started while we was there ...

So, instead of driving closer to the city and into the area where more guides and buses probably was, where we probably had to spend time to find a available place to stay, I decided to drive further SE away from Tromsø, to the lovely valley `Signaldalen` for stand below our own `Toblerone Mountain` ... which can remind you about the Swiss `Matterhorn`.

We arrived the valley where we was totally alone tonight, and that`s what I am selling; Silence ...

And the Aurora was all over the sky when we jumped out of the bus, even far towards south ... and I got little surprised, since nothing was showed on the Aurora forecast ...

I planned to leave after 1,5-2 hours by midnight, but that I had to postpone since the activity was building up after the activity was faded out 30 mins before ...

And then we got the great and crazy Grande Finale show with intense Rock`n`Roll dancing of Lady Aurora in Pink, green and yellow.

Returned to the city just after 2 am with a group of very happy guests ;)

January 21st

• Guests / Country: 2 guests from Brasil.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Grøtfjord / Rekvikeidet / clear.
• Aurora activity: 5/10.
• Aurora show: Several stripes across the sky, curls and spikes and little faint pink dancing.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Green and little pink.
• Tour km: 105.
• Tour hrs: 5,5.

With only two guests who also joined me on the Magic night of January 19th, plus that they also got last night very good show from the cable car top station ... then I made it short and easy, by driving straight west to our most nature dramatic area on the coast of Kvaløya island with a stop in Grøtfjord and on the lovely mountain view point, Rekvikeidet.

Lovely to arrive at a empty spot, but we only had the silence in five mins for ourself, before it came two guides van`s and one rental car, but they didn`t bother us too much ...

The best activity was early in the evening, and around 10 pm it faded out ... but, before that we had a lovely and huge camp fire, since I cleaned little up after other guides and tourists ... and this one I really don`t understand !!

Our nature is NOT a place for yours garbage !!

What I found and burned;

- 2 old campfire with a lot of wood left behind, on the parking spot !
- 2 finger heating bags
- 1 face mask
- several plastic items

Please bring all stuff you bring out, back again !! It´s not our or the nature`s garbage; It´s yours !!

We was back in the city 30 mins before midnight, and of course, while I drove home ... I got tonight`s best Aurora show (8/10 ?) with lovely Pink dancing on the south sky over the city ... it came from the very faint stripe on the south sky which we left ...

January 19th

• Guests / Country: 3 guests from Brasil and Malaysia.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear sky, but foggy in the city.
• Destination / weather: Kattfjordeidet / Sommarøy / clear.
• Aurora activity: 12/10 - Season first !
• Aurora show: All over and far south (all over Europe too), intense Pink dancing curtains, and crazy beautiful RED Aurora.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Green, Pink and RED ... Eye visible in 2,5 hours !!
• Tour km: 105.
• Tour hrs: 7.

I have seen RED Aurora before, but then only in a few seconds or minutes ... but THIS; Totally in 3 hours, and visible for the naked eyes in 2,5 hours !!

I got in pics from former guests and friends in Europe with RED Aurora pics from Belgium, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and after the first show here in the north, the activity dissapear from the Northern hemisphere and went too far south, so we couldn`t see it ...

And then when it return, the most insane part started ...

I am empty for words ... can I continue to chase after a night like this ... just very speechless ... pics will tell the story better than me ...

January 18th

• Guests / Country: 7 guests from Germany, Switzerland and UK
• Weather Tromsø: Cloudy / rain.
• Destination / weather: Skibotndalen valley / Finnish border / part clear / haze / clear.
• Aurora activity: 7/10.
• Aurora show: All over and far south, spikes, curls and pink dancing curtains.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Green and little pink.
• Tour km: 310.
• Tour hrs: 9,5.

At 00.57 am we left the border and five minutes the south stripe of Aurora finally exploted such as Lady Aurora do some nights ...

Of course, we missed the beginning of it, since I had just passed the last parking spot few seconds before, so I stopped on the next one 1 km later, and we got little of the rest of dancing ... and my guests was happy and had forgot the super long wait, since the first plan was to leave by midnight.

But, I couldn`t ... Aurora Addicted as I am ... since the stripe on the south sky normally gives us a really good show, and it happened again, 65 mins later ...

We started from the city at 18.00 in rain and overcast, and the driving conditions was still partly difficult after the last 14 hours with rain ... on snowy roads, which made everything very icy.

A quick stop at the gas station in Nordkjosbotn, 70 km south, before we headed towards the Finnish border and the plan was 30-50 km into Finnish Lapland, but of course; there was a road control which took little too much time, at the same time the Aurora activity was building up ...

So, when we continued we drove only a few km before I had to stop; since the first Aurora stripe on the south sky came in action, and we got tonight`s first dancing with little pink.

But, the sky was not perfect and we saw this first show through haze on the sky, so we contiuned, and by the border the sky was much better, so I decided to gamble and set the final stop there ... and the sky got better.

It was activity all over, but faint with sosme upbuilding spikes here and there, and at the same time, the main stripe on the south sky stayed still ...

I decided to stay to midnight, and at 11.30 pm most of the guides left Finland and the border area, so finally we could enjoy the total silence, and that`s what I like to let my guests explore ;)

Nothing happpened by midnight, so I postpone the leave with 15 mins ... then 15 more ... and then 30 mins to 1 am, and then I had moved the bus 200 meter, so we standed on the border.

My former guide partner, Andreas, was still in the area and he joined us with his 6 guests ...

I had to think about the return drive, and there`s a new night the next one, and it so typical that I leave just before the real show are starting ...

But, we got the first movement of the south stripe at 00.45 am, and then little more on our fourth stop of the chase.

January 17th - Private Aurora Chase Dinner

• Guests / Country: 2 guests from USA.
• Weather Tromsø: Cloudy.
• Destination / weather: Skibotndalen valley / clear / haze / incoming clouds.
• Aurora activity: 5/10.
• Aurora show: Several stripes across the sky and little towards the south, curls, spikes and little pink dancing curtains.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green.
• Tour km: 310.
• Tour hrs: 8.

The first plan was Finnish Lapland, but when the sky was good enough before I don`t need to drive further, and it was good that we stopped just there, since short after we got a very nice show with little pink dancing.

After shooting a serie of pics I took the chance that the clouds was staying away, and begin to prepare the dinner for my guests.

Tonight`s menu: Reindeer stew and rice.

After the dinner was served we got in more clouds, so we drove +20 km to the border since my guests really wanted to do a short visit to Finland, but Lady Aurora was quiet, so we returned towards the city just before midnight.

When we came down to the fjord it began to rain, as they had forecasted ...

And after I left the city and drove north towards my home, then I was close to crash, when the bus slided sideway on the very wet and icy road, so here I am sitting 25 km from my home and waiting for the roads will be safer with gravel ... I hope ...

The truck with the gravel arrived 3 hours later, at 05.45 am, and I could finally drive safe home and drop down in my bed ...

January 14th - Private Aurora Chase Dinner

• Guests / Country: 4 guests from Australia.
• Weather Tromsø: Cloudy.
• Destination / weather: Laksvatn fjord / clear.
• Aurora activity: 4/10.
• Aurora show: A couple of stripes low on the north sky, curls and spikes.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green and a hinch of little pink.
• Tour km: 120.
• Tour hrs: 5,5.

The weather forecast says totally clear sky all over ... but, you can`t trust any weather forecast here in the Arctic ... so, it was overcast in Tromsø ...

It was partly clear at my home, 40 km north of the city, but I didnt took the chance to drive out on the coast, and went into the country side, to the fjords area west of the Lyngen Alps, where the sky was clear.

Found a beautiful small spot, which just fit my minibus and my kitchen ... but, then suddenly a van stopped behind my bus ... the guide asked if they could stay there, and that`s okey if they walked down to the beach below us ... which they did, but the guide hadn`t checked if all in her group could manage to walk down to the beach, so two of them was staying together with us, which was not acceptable !!

I mention it for the guide, and when they "was ready" on the beach, they was planned to leave, but then the Aurora activity got better, and suddenly all of them was mixing with my guests on the very tiny parking spot ... and some of them had no respect for the passing traffic, so I had to tell them to move theirs asses away from the road so we didn`t got an accident on the spot.

At the end I had to tell them to leave since I was planned to run a Private Dinner, and then I couldn`t have a lot of people walking into my kitchen.

Finally they left, not so happy, but ...

From the beginning of the Aurora business for 20 years ago we had some rules all guides was following, but nowadays there`s so many guides who has no respect, and don´t take care about other guides and theirs guests ...

Our main rules before was this:

1. Never use private properties.
2. If you don`t have a deal with the guide who already have stopped at a spot, then you`ve to drive to the next one.
3-8: Don`t remember ...

So, when they had left, I could finally lit the camp fire and begin my cooking, in the silence ...

Tonight`s Menu: A meal of fish with vegetables.

We had a good Aurora show from 7.30 to 8.30 pm, and then it went quiet ... and the Aurora forecast didn`t showed any positive news the next hours, but we got a little surprise around 9.30 pm before it faded out.

And then we left at 10.30 pm since my guests was happy ... and we was back in the city before midnight.

When I was on my way home, then the activity was back and last until 3-4 am ...
 

January 13th 

• Guests / Country: 8 guests from Germany, France and India.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Lakselvbukt S o N / clear.
• Aurora activity: 5/10.
• Aurora show: All over and little towards south, several stripes across the sky, little faint pink dancing, spikes and curls.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green and little faint pink.
• Tour km: 160.
• Tour hrs: 6,5.

Wasn`t sure about the coast tonight, so we went into the country side, but not far ... and later it looks like that was a good choice, since we also got in some clouds in the coastal horizon, and when we came back to the city after midnight it was overcast.

At my first planned location it was too windy, so it was freezing cold, so we just shot some pics of a faint stripe low on the north sky, and the beautiful starry sky towards east and south.

It looks like 6 nights very good Aurora was over ...

We did a short backdrive and then further north along the Lyngen Alps west side, where we found an okey location, but I wish that I knew this area little better, since it could be nice to be down on the beach, but I was little unsure to pass a huge avalanche area we had just a few km away from us ...

The activity builded up little and we got little dancing and a small corona straight above us, and then it faded out ... so, we returned early back to the city.

January 12th 

• Guests / Country: 9 guests from Germany and China.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Finnvika / My own beach / Åbornes / Dåfjord x3 / Clear / incoming clouds.
• Aurora activity: 9/10.
• Aurora show: Activity all evening ! All over and far south, Pink dancing curtains, spikes and curls, and one lovely show with several colorful coronas.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green, pink and little yellow.
• Tour km: 150.
• Tour hrs: 6,5.

I got little unsure in the beginning where to drive, since I hadn`t had time to check the weather forecast, and it showed earlier partly clear, but it was clear all over ... and when one of my colleagues mentioned they should head south, I begin to think little extra ...

But, after our first check stop just north of the city and it was totally clear, then I contiuned further north and my plan was Dåfjord, 70 km north, but the Lady was still very active on night no. 6 in row, so then it`s a gamble to move too much.

So, after a short stop at my own place we had to stop again only 4 km north, since some Pink dancing started ... but, when all my guests was back in the bus since they was cold, then we contiuned ... but, before the planned final stop, I just had to stop quickly since the stripe on the south sky begin to dance intense ...

And then we got this evening greatest show; Crazy good Corornas in three visible colors !

My best place in this fjord was already taken, but that`s okey for tonight, since there`s a mountain there which close the south sky, so we contiuned further out, where I stopped for make a camp fire and where we finally could relax little.

At 11 pm we returned, and as I always tell my guests; The chase is not over before you`re back in bed ;) and after 10 km drive we had to stop again, since a new stripe from the south gave us good Pink dancing.

After this I think my guests was happy enough, so we returned to the city.

January 8th 

• Guests / Country: 6 guests from Germany, Spain, Brasil and USA.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Kattfjordeidet / My own beach, Ringvassøya island / clear.
• Aurora activity: 9/10.
• Aurora show: All over and far south, dancing curls and curtains, a lot of spikes and a couple of coronas. 3-4 colors on camera.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Pink and green.
• Tour km: 170.
• Tour hrs: 7.
• Wildlife: 4 reindeers.
• Space show: Several very good fireballs, long and bright.

It was long time ago I have been to Sommarøy, so we headed that way ... after a stop on Kattfjordeidet where the sky already was filled with no visible colorful Aurora, but good on camera ... so, I understood this one could be a good one later ...

We relaxed there in the cold just for ourself, until a 50 seats bus was close to run us down on the small parking slot ... with no respect at all ... with the enigue on and with full lights ... so, we left and headed for our goal; Sommarøy.

But, when we was close by the wind was too strong with flying snow in the air and across the road, so the stay out there should not be so pleasent ... so, I decided to return to my island where the forecast said no wind, and after a gas station stop for toilet we ended up at my beach, where we had the best control over the south sky over the sea.

The reason for good view to the south was cause of a Aurora stripe far south, and there`s a 90% chance that will give us a very good show ...

So, when it happened just before midnight, I just wondering why so many buses already left from my island ... maybe they was too cold, or theirs guests already was happy, or maybe they didn`t know what kind happens with the south stripe.

The night before the south stripe exploted at 2 am, but then my guests was already at theirs accommodation, and I on my way home, so it was great it happened before midnight tonight.

There was no wind at my place, but it was still freezing cold, so my guests was happy with the camp fire.

January 7th 

• Guests / Country: 11 guests from Germany, France, Brasil, Chile, Australia and USA.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Kattfjordeidet / Blåmannsvika / Karigambukta / Rekvikeidet / Clear / little haze.
• Aurora activity: 6/10.
• Aurora show: All over and little towards south, several stripes all over, spikes, curls and little moving.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Bright green.
• Tour km: 110.
• Tour hrs: 7,5.

Finally the Lady was back again after a quiet week, except night to Monday, which we only got the beginning of.

I didn`t thought so much should happens tonight, so I prepared my guest for load up with a lot of patience before we left the city, but so wrong can I take ...

The solar speed was very low with around 350 km/s, but with a good Bz down to minus 5, and with a high Density, up to 10, then we all got a very nice surprise.

At our first stop it was faint, but much more than I was hoping for, with 2-3 stripes across the sky and it climbed higher, and then at our 2nd stop we probably got the best.

Then we drove to the planned final location in Grøtfjord where I set camp fire ... my planned stop was occupied by a rental car, but when a larger parking spot was available close by, then we stopped there.

Around 11 pm the activity "was over", but our very good Aurora forecast was showing more to come, and it was too early for a return to the city, so I decided to drive further, via a toilet stop we drove up in the mountains to one of our lovely 360 degree view plateau, where the Lady continued her lovely performance ...

Just after midnight she took a break, and tonight`s best show arrived at 2 am, but then my guests was back at theirs accommodations and I was close to my home ... where I filmed Pink dancing with my phone ;)

A new chance tonight ... seats available !

January 4th 

• Guests / Country: 5 guests from China.
• Weather Tromsø: Cloudy / snow.
• Destination / weather: Finnish Lapland +110 km / part clear / haze / cloudy / snow / clear stripe NE to SW.
• Aurora activity: 3/10.
• Aurora show: Couple of spikes and some curls.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Faint green.
• Tour km: 525 - season longest !
• Tour hrs: 10.
• Wildlife: 2 reindeers and a white running rabbit.

Tonight I got the little wild devil in me and went far away for make my guests happy, since some better activity was on the way ... it was only five in the bus, but my good service I always give to just a few or for a full bus ;)

First, after a 160 km drive in a snowstorm from when we left the city, we found partly clear good sky towards east, west and south 20 km inside the border, so I decided to stop there and hope for the best ...

And while "hundreds" of other Aurora buses passed us, we began to get little activity on the SW sky, but then we got more clouds and the snow was back, so then I had to follow the other guides further into Finnish Lapland ...

Where all other guides had stopped they had also got the overcast weather we escpaed from, so I continue ... and since our `private aurora cams` in Karesuvanto showed partly clear sky and Northern Lights, then it was only one way to go; 110 km inside the Finnish border.

I understood it should be a hard and tired return back to the city, since we should return late ... or, in the early morning ;)

During my 20 Aurora season with close to 2,200 nights out, I had only been so far into Finnish Lapland 2-3 times before.

And when we was 5 km before this village I stopped, since I was thinking about the return ... the safety for me and my guests on the long return.

In front of us, all over the south sky, from NE to SW we had a huge gap of clear sky and there was some faint Aurora spikes.

I gave it 1 hour and 15 mins and we got little more with some bright spikes, but we missed a lot of it, since the north sky was totally overcasted ...

So, I regret little why I didn`t drove 10-15 km longer when we first had drove so far, so we maybe could be under the open clear sky and had seen more of the activity.

But, the most pity thing; when we had to leave by midnight, then tonight`s greatest Aurora show started ... and it last for couple of hours, but then we was under overcast sky in a long snowstorm ...

The return drive was okey, since I had waked up after a tired start, at our first stop out in the cold, but it was a long one; 265 km and 4 hours in snowstorm.

I dropped off my guests at theirs AirBnb at 4.10 am, but I wasn`t home before 5.50 am, since I bought me a breakfast, and had to park the bus at the workshop for service, and of course, I am Aurora Addicted so when the sky began to be clear on the coast on my drive home, I had to shoot some pics ... please check it on my Insta account #guidegunnar

January 3rd

• Guests / Country: 10 guests from Iran, Hungary, India and China.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: My own beach, Ringvassøya island / clear.
• Aurora activity: 2/10.
• Aurora show: Several stripes across the sky, but faint, some curls, and little dancing low on the north sky.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Faint grey / white.
• Tour km: 85.
• Tour hrs: 5,5.

It`s pity, we just missed tonight`s only activity since we got a 30 mins delay from the city ...

So, tonight we should start the chase at 4 pm ... since it was nice activity when I left my home at 5 pm.

Ten mins before we arrive the planned location, at my home, 40 km north of the city it was several stripes across the sky, and when the last and only possible to stop already was occupied, then we just had to continue and drive to my place.

In the minute I parked the bus it went to little dancing low on the north sky, which a couple of my guests got to see.
And then it was over ... and the patience game begin ...

I set camp fire and set out some chairs, so my guests could relax with better comfort ... then I also remove more snow by my sea house, so my guests could have the view by the sea too ...

But, suddenly it was totally quiet on the sky, and on our very good Aurora forecast ... it was no sign of nothing ...

So, the pics above shows how beautiful the surroundings was ... but, it also a good message to give; Clear sky is not any guarantee for see the Northern lights ...

January 2nd - Private Aurora Chase

• Guests / Country: 4 guests from New Zealand.
• Weather Tromsø: Cloudy / snow.
• Destination / weather: Dividalen valley / part clear / overcast / part clear ... 3-4 times.
• Aurora activity: 4/10.
• Aurora show: A very nice ark with lovely curtains and little moving, plus some spikes.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Faint green.
• Tour km: 270.
• Tour hrs: 7.
• Wildlife: One moose, but the butt only.

Tonight I was glad that I trust my got feeling ... with success.

While many of my good colleagues and other Aurora Guides was fighting with the clouds towards Finland and in other locations, I drove straight to the planned location, 135 km south of the city.

And when we arrived we got a very nice ark with curtains across the sky ... and then it went overcast ... but, I know this location and valley quite well, and knew it will change again ... 

So, while we was there and kept warm around the camp fire, in the quite chilly environment, it changed 3-4 times.

But, at 11 pm my guests was happy, and since they had booked a private chase, they could decide what time we returned.

On the way out from the valley we met one moose, but we saw only the butt, since it was on the way into the forest.

January 1st

• Guests / Country: 16 guests from Germany, Chile, China and USA.
• Weather Tromsø: Clear.
• Destination / weather: Hundbergan / Laksvatn fjord / Signaldalen / clear / thin clouds.
• Aurora activity: 3/10.
• Aurora show: Several stripes across the sky, some spikes.
• Visible for the naked eyes: Faint white.
• Tour km: 230.
• Tour hrs: 7,5.

Finally back on the Aurora Highways after a 14 days Christmas break and three nights in a flu hell ...

And my first (!) fully booked chase this season ...

With forecasted incoming clouds it was only one way to drive; Into the country side, where I first was thinking about Dividalen valley uo towards the Swedish border, but with minus 36 which could feels like minus 43, then this was not an option, just for the safety of my guests and not risking any frost damage for the bus diesel filter ...

So, at our first quick stop 20 km away we got the first glimpse of Aurora, which was probably tonight`s best one, especially when we contiuned the drive and we could see it through the front shield; Little dancing with spikes and little dancing.

For not let my guests not freeze too much we made the 2nd stop inn a fjord close to the Lyngen Alps, where the temp was around minus 15 ... when we stopped the sky was quiet ... but, after a little waiting we got a couple of stripes crossing low on the north sky ...

Was wondering if this could be the final stop and I was thinking about to set camp fire, but then the clouds begin to build up from the north in the fjord and when it climbed up towards the mountains, so then it was only one thing to do; Leave and drive further into the country side and into the colder environment.

After a short toilet stop at the gas station in Nordkjosbotn, 70 km south of the city, I changed my mind, quit the idea about the cold valley and freezing cold temperatures, and headed instead east to Signaldalen valley where the majestic mountain, Otertind - our own Toblerone Mountain, as a front ground for our pictures.

The forecast says overcast from 11 pm, but it didn`t happens so we stayed to midnight with only a few faint clouds, but also Lady Aurora was shy and faint ... but, the Aurora forecast was saying something bigger should come, but it never did ...

So, tonight`s best Aurora show was probably while we drove out ... and in the afternoon before the chase, but none of my guests had lift theirs heads and checked the sky while they was strolling around in the city ... which is so important to do, when you`ve spend some much money for your travel and stay ...