We finally give in and flick on the head lamps after realizing that having a perfect view of each potential next step is far more beneficial than any long distance visual acuity you retain from un-shrunken pupils.
It's past midnight. Slogging through soppy tundra. Feet are cold, body is cold. Everything hurts. It's sounds really hyperbolic, but in these moments, where the brain starts to go into survival mode, I was kind of starting to question every decision in my life that ultimately led to this moment.
We still have to round trip again. FFS. Why? Why oh why oh why?
12:40 am. My brain is in the depths of despair. Bluffgruff abruptly announces "well look at that"
Oh, whoa. Would you look at that.
Very faint at first. But as we stand there gawking, bodies straining under the load, it starts to get wild.
And it got even more wild. It is literally right over our heads. Twisting and roping like slow motion flame in real time. Dancing. The Northern Lights were literally dancing over my head.
It was paralyzing. I kinda flop down and lean into the hillside, pack still on, head straining upwards. Pain forgotten.
Not so upset anymore about burning over 2 hours at camp this afternoon.
We are on the home stretch. Less than a mile. Truck is basically in view. The Lights starts to fade. We keep moving. But I keep looking, even as it slowly dissipates.
