Chasing the Northern Lights at Ribblehead Viaduct – And Freezing My Camera Bag!

October 10th, 2024, is a night I’ll never forget. Picture this: I’m standing by the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, camera in hand, shivering but grinning from ear to ear, because right above me, the Northern Lights were putting on a show like I could never have imagined. I mean, you could see them with the naked eye! That’s super rare for this part of England, and honestly, I was so giddy.

The lights started off subtle—greens, purples, and soft pinks, gently weaving their magic across the sky. I’m snapping away with my trusty Canon R5, switching between my 24-70mm and 17-40mm lenses, trying to capture every ounce of beauty. Little did I know, the colors were just getting started.

Fire in the Sky

Around an hour in, something the lights exploded into this intense bright red, like the sky was on fire. I had to double-check my viewfinder to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. It was hands-down one of the most breathtaking moments of my life – just me, my camera, and the Viaduct lit up by nature’s own fireworks. The train went over the viaduct too giving you a cool light trail on a couple of pictures.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Wow, that must’ve been magical!” And yes, it was. But oh my goodness, it was also freezing. Like, frost-on-my-camera-bag freezing. I was out there for about three and a half hours, and by the end of it, my bag looked like an ice lolly . Seriously, it was so cold that my gear felt like it had just come out of the freezer.

Ingleborough’s Cameo Appearance

As the night went on, the lights shifted to these gorgeous pinks and yellows. I couldn’t resist capturing another shot—this time of Ingleborough. If you know the area, you’ll know Ingleborough is a bit of a local celebrity when it comes to landscape photography. Framed by the shifting colors of the aurora, it looked like something straight out of a dream.

Boggy Mishap (Not Mine, Thankfully)

Now, I’m not usually one to stand still for hours, but when there’s a bog behind you, trust me, you stay put. One brave (or unlucky) photographer decided to venture further than I did… only to walk right through the bog and get absolutely drenched. I was definitely glad I played it safe and kept my boots dry!

A Night to Remember

Looking back, I’m so glad I braved the cold (and the bogs!) that night. The Northern Lights are one of those things that you just never get tired of photographing. Every time I look at the shots I took, I’m reminded of how lucky I was to witness something so rare and so beautiful.

If you’re a fellow photographer, I’ve got to say: capturing the Northern Lights is all about patience and preparation. I’m still thawing out, but it was worth every shiver.

If you’d like your own copy of the northern lights at the Ribblehead Viaduct you can find them here….

Until next time, stay warm and keep shooting!

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