Category: Community Eclipse Planning

Whether you are chasing an eclipse, or are a community within the path of totality, eclipse planning is required. Communities within the path of totality need to prepare for an influx of travelers coming to experience the total solar eclipse.

05 Oct 2014

Planning for 2015 – Part Two

March in the Faroes - make sure to wrap up warm to enjoy the spectacular outdoors. © Kate Russo 2014
March in the Faroes – make sure to wrap up warm to enjoy the spectacular outdoors. © Kate Russo 2014

Earlier in March 2014 I revisited the Faroe Islands. This was a practice run for the Total Eclipse of 2015. I wanted to see first hand what the weather would be like, and what challenges needed to be overcome for the eclipse.

Visiting in March reminded me of that Norwegian saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. The weather was rather changeable – throughout the day there were spells of brilliant sunshine, hail, horizontal rain, blue skies and atmospheric gloom. The weather would change dramatically – often within minutes. Despite this, I was bemused to see that locals just carry on as normal – they continued their daily walks, their after work jogging. People got on with things – they just wrapped up warm and carried on.

Having now seen the weather in March, I am convinced of three things. Firstly, I am confident that we will be able to see SOME of the eclipse. I think we will have to be extremely lucky to have totally clear blue skies on eclipse morning. Being able to see the whole eclipse unfold, from first contact to fourth contact is also unlikely. But I am much more optimistic that we will be able to get a short glimpse of totality having seen the weather. Secondly, the weather was so changeable, in minutes, that I am convinced that the usual strategy of doing a last-minute dash for clear skies does not apply here. The best thing is to find the most suitable location and stick with it as there is no way one can outrun the weather. And finally, I am convinced that the best eclipse experience involves being near to a place of warmth. It is not easy to stand still outside in the weather for any length of time.

I also noticed that same pull towards being in the great outdoors that I felt during my first visit last September. There is something about the islands that compels you to be outdoors – to enjoy all that nature throws at you. I am sure that regardless of the weather, everyone who travels to the Faroes for the eclipse in March 2015 will be spellbound by this magical place. I had brilliant days, a fabulous trip, and I even was able to see a light aurora display.

I did a lot during my March visit – I did radio interviews, gave talks to schools and tourist information groups. I connected with tour guides and hotel owners, to share thoughts about preparing for the eclipse. Because of the outreach I had done, everywhere I went people knew who I was and wanted to talk about the eclipse. I participated in a Citizen Science project along with a fellow eclipse chaser. I scouted out eclipse viewing locations all across the islands. i shared eclipse information with anyone and everyone who wanted to know.

One of the most rewarding things is to be able to share information and excitement about the eclipse to a community of people who are about to experience it. I am delighted that the tour I am arranging also has a very strong community involvement element to it. After many years of creating my own special and unique eclipse travel memories, I am excited to be in a position to provide a memorable eclipse experience for others.

It’s not too late to join me on my Faroe Islands Eclipse Tour with The Independent Traveller – get in touch, or find out more about the Eclipse of 2015.

16 Oct 2013

Planning for 2015 – Part One

 

Me in the incredibly beautiful Faroe Islands. It's quite hard to take a bad photo. (c) Kate Russo
Me in the incredibly beautiful Faroe Islands. It’s quite hard to take a bad photo. (c) Kate Russo

I recently have partnered with The Independent Traveller and am now leading the Eclipse Tour to the Faroe Islands in 2015. We went recently to explore the islands, to identify several potential eclipse viewing sites, and the many other logistical things that are required when finalising a tour. I find the islands a fascinating place – so remote yet very connected to the outside world. The islands are dramatic – you cannot escape nature here. The people are warm and welcoming, and I love the ‘land of maybe’ attitude – things may or may not happen, all depending upon the weather.

What is interesting about the islands is that people were not really aware of what was going to happen in 2015. We spoke to a lot of people, and I did an evening presentation about the eclipse and the locals are very keen to be involved. The media were very interested in interviewing us. The interest is there, but there is this interesting parallel perhaps related to the ‘land of maybe’ attitude that little has yet been centrally coordinated. This is changing, however. In the meantime, I’m still going to come across as that crazy lady who gets excited about something that is happening quite a long time in the future.

Another interesting thing about the Faroe Islands is that they experienced a Total Solar Eclipse in 1954 – within living memory. Many people we spoke to recalled their parents talking about the eclipse, or else experienced it for themselves. Our tour guide, Olaf, described how he was playing football outside with a few friends when it suddenly went dark. He recalled being terrified and running into the house. Others seemed to be aware that the eclipse was happening. It is certainly an amazingly beautiful place to observe a total eclipse. The weather is going to be a little bit of a challenge – the islands are renowned for unstable weather. You cannot predict the weather, nor can you control what happens. But what you can do is to obtain local guidance and plan what you can and have back up plans. Having been there, I am more confident about seeing the eclipse. Transport and communication networks are excellent, meaning you can easily relocate the night before / early morning based on the weather.

I can’t wait to return to these lovely islands. If it wasn’t for the eclipse, I probably would never have visited. Eclipse chasing certainly allows you to experience so much more in life and opens up to many rich experiences.

24 Jul 2013

The Far North Queensland Eclipse of 2012

The community bonds together at Port Douglas on Nov 14 2012. Image Credit: Tourism Queensland, Simon Furlong.
The community bonds together at Port Douglas on Nov 14 2012. Image Credit: Tourism Queensland, Simon Furlong.

 

The total eclipse of November 14 2012 was my 8th total eclipse. Yet it was still as magical, amazing, and wondrous as ever. This eclipse seemed particularly beautiful – the diamond ring seemed to hang suspended in time; and the eclipsed Sun appeared to be larger than I recall from previous total eclipses.

Every total eclipse seems different to the last. This is because there are so many things that vary during each eclipse, and this produces a different experience each time. The position of the Sun in the sky, the landscape before you, the time of day, the company you are with, and the country you are in all influence the eclipse experience. As many in North Queensland will also tell you, the presence of clouds also influences the experience of totality.

For me, the country and customs of people around contribute very strongly to the eclipse experience I have. I was delighted to have experienced this eclipse on my home turf. This made it very special indeed, and has made me want to do all I can to share the experience with my fellow North Queenslanders. It has also made me want to ensure other communities who are in the path of the eclipse in the future realise the importance of this unique event.