Northern Lights Illuminate the Sky Behind Glacier Climbers
When ice climbers Mike Stuart and Takeshi Tani set off to scale the Athabasca Glacier at Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, their photographer Paul Zizka was just hoping for clear skies. The trio was in for an unbelievable surprise when the Northern Lights illuminated the sky behind them as Stuart and Tani scaled the glacier upside down, and their ice walls began glowing from the breathtaking natural light show.
"As if the wild playground wasn't enough, the Aurora Borealis came out in full force, adding a surreal effect to the scene," Zizka told Caters News Agency. "This photo shoot ended up in the top five of my photography career, especially because of how all the elements came together that night."
Top five? Can I see the other four that made it in that list because these photographs are unreal.
The photographer, who specializes in snapping auroras in Canada's most picturesque parks, said what made the pictures incredible was the stillness of the subjects contrasting with the movement of the lights.
"I had planned the shoot wanting only clear skies so that we could capture the stars, and when the Northern Lights started to dance I was thrilled," he said. "It was well worth a long night out and climbing into bed at 4 a.m."
Okay, how do I move to Alberta and become either a) an ice climber or b) a famed nighttime photographer? Step aside, storm chasers, light chaser in the making here.
