Melanie Windridge's Blog, page 3
June 3, 2019
Northern lights recommendations from a seasoned aurora hunter
Aurora near the Finnish border in Troms county, Norway, on March 11th 2019, where Simon was guided by Kjetil Skogli. Photo: Simon Harding.
An interview with seasoned aurora hunter Simon HardingSimon is a keen amateur astronomer and a member of Torbay Astronomical Society, where he presents monthly ‘Skynotes’ and in January this year held a lecture about the northern lights showing many of his aurora photos. Simon likes astronomical imaging and takes photos of the night sky with his 10in refl...
May 20, 2019
How much do you know about the science that gets us to the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest?
Melanie takes a snow sample on the summit of Everest
In May 2018 Melanie summitted Everest and explored the science and technology that help climbers on the mountain. Find out what you know about the science that gets us to the highest point on Earth in this fun quiz!
How much do you know about the science that gets us to the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest? Please wait while the activity loads. If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Also, this page re...
April 22, 2019
Weather on Everest – what will 2019 bring?
A sunny evening at Camp 3, looking out over the Western Cwm at the clouds in the Khumbu valley.
Most Everest climbers are now at Base Camp and into their acclimatisation rotations. Once these are over – by around the end of April – climbers will be waiting for a “weather window” for going to the summit. This weather window is a period of stable weather when the jet stream moves and winds on the summit drop.
The summit of Everest is so high that it sticks up into the lower jet stream, a narrow...
April 1, 2019
Can you see the aurora in Italy?
Northern Lights in Iceland, Photo: Steve Collins
Of course, the usual answer has to be no, because Italy is far too far south to see the northern lights. However, thanks to advances in camera technology in recent years, the answer this year was yes! The aurora borealis was streamed live from Lapland at Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica each evening in February and March this year.
The idea of a live display of the mystical aurora dancing in the northern skies, accompanied by classical musi...
March 18, 2019
When is the season for the northern lights?
Winter aurora. Photo: The Aurora Zone, Antti Pietikainen
The aurora happens up towards Earth’s magnetic poles all year round. However, it needs to be dark for us to be able to see the lights, and during the summer months in the northern hemisphere it’s simply too light in these latitudes to see the aurora.
Therefore, one could say that the season for the northern lights lasts from September to April. But further factors determine when you should plan your northern lights trip.
Weather conside...
February 24, 2019
How do we forecast weather on Everest?
Clouds at Everest Base Camp clear to show the peak of Nuptse.
Getting caught in a storm on Everest can be dangerous for climbers, especially towards the summit. The final push from base camp takes at least 4 days, and it’s important for safety that there is a clear window of good weather for the entire period.
Improvements in weather forecasting have made a huge difference to safety on Everest, but what has caused this improvement, and what are the specific challenges on Everest?
How do we fo...February 10, 2019
Aurora in Yellowknife
Aurora in Yellowknife by Martin Izzard
“I was in Yellowknife in September 2017 staying at the nice and dark Buffalo Nights Bed and Breakfast when the “Merry Dancers” appeared. It was a strong showing Kp6-7 and I was able to video them with my Canon 6D using a fast 24mm lens f1.4 at low ISO of 800. I pinched myself as she danced across the sky. Can’t wait to go back again.”
Martin Izzard
Some of Martin’s shots from the night
One of Martin’s videos from the night
Video: A real-time video...
January 27, 2019
Women on Everest
Melanie in the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest
I’ve recently entered a short film about my Everest trip into the BMC Women In Adventure film competition 2019, so I thought it would be a good time to share some information on women on Everest.
The most striking thing is that there aren’t that many women on Everest.
Everest was first summited in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on a British expedition comprised entirely of men, unsurprisingly for that time. Incidentally, the journalis...
January 14, 2019
How to prepare for a sporting challenge
Are you intending to enjoy more of the outdoors in 2019? Maybe by starting to run or climb? Or will you participate in your first marathon? Whatever sporting challenge you set yourself, proper preparation will ensure a healthy and enjoyable experience. So we got some tips from expert Dr. Justin Roberts.
When Melanie climbed Everest, Dr. Justin Roberts and his team provided fitness performance testing and advice in the year run-up to the climb. Justin is Principal Lecturer and researcher at A...
December 31, 2018
Top places for a New Years Eve aurora break
Forget the fireworks at New Year. Instead, head north for a different kind of spectacular light show! I’ve written before about why we all need to see the aurora, so make the most of the festive slow-down to head out into a winter wonderland.
I asked northern lights travel experts Discover the World and The Aurora Zone for their top picks for a European New Years Eve getaway. Click through to find out more about the hotels and the packages offered. All the holidays include dedicated Aurora a...
