Eternal Skies by Gareth Harding

07/06/2026

Deep, mossy gorges and ancient abandoned millstones. 🌲⛰️ Checking out the stunning new Padley Gorge circular route over on Eternal Skies UK! Read the full field guide and grab the GPX map here:

“Moving from the deep, mossy dampness of an ancient oak gorge straight up onto the brooding, windswept gritstone edges of the Peak.” The Woodland Floor Our journey began beneath the den…

27/05/2026

Hiking Trails // The Field Guides: Kinder Low & Downfall Circular

Tackling the legendary Kinder Scout loop in a relentless 30°C heatwave completely changes the game. Setting off at 06:50 AM to beat the sun, this route moves from the deep shadow of ancient valley stone-walls to the raw, baking exposure of the high western plateau. With the water low across the massive gritstone shelves of Kinder Downfall and a complete absence of tree canopy, navigating this sun-drenched landscape became an absolute test of endurance under piercing summer skies....

Tackling the legendary Kinder Scout loop in a relentless 30°C heatwave completely changes the game. Setting off at 06:50 AM to beat the sun, this route moves from the deep shadow of ancient valley …

22/05/2026

🚨 PEAK DISTRICT ALERT: Wildfire Risk & Heat Safety
With the weather heating up over the next few days, the Peak District is under wildfire risk. The ground is a tinderbox—please share this to protect the trails and stay safe out there.

🔥 Wildfire Prevention Rules
NO BBQs or Campfires: Portable BBQs are strictly banned across the entire National Park. One spark can destroy miles of moorland.

Leave the Stoves at Home: Pack a hot flask from home instead of using camping stoves on dry grass or heather.

Dispose of Ci******es & Glass Safely: Extinguish stubs completely and pack out all glass bottles—sunlight magnifying through glass can spark a fire.

See Smoke? Call 999: Don't wait. Report any signs of fire immediately to the fire service with a precise location or What3Words address.

☀️ Heatwave Hiking Tips
Double Your Water: Carry at least 2–3 litres per person and hydrate before you start.

Avoid Peak Sun: Hike early in the morning or later in the evening to skip the intense midday heat (11 AM – 3 PM).

Stick to the Shade: Swap exposed plateau walks for shaded forest tracks and canopy routes.

Know the Signs: Dizziness, heavy sweating, or a sudden headache means stop immediately, get in the shade, and cool down.

🥾 Enjoy the sunshine responsibly, look out for each other, and keep the Peaks safe!

👉 For shaded forest trail maps and route breakdowns, head over to the Walking Routes page at eternalskiesuk.com.

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

Sometimes the best view requires getting completely lost in the trees. 🌲🔋 Mapping out the quietest corners of the woods today.
The full route guide, my high-res photography gallery, and the AllTrails map / GPX download for this loop are live on the blog now.
👉 Tap the link in my profile or visit: eternalskiesuk.com

17/05/2026

Chasing the heavy clouds over the Peak District. ⛰️🌪️
Nothing beats the contrast of a deep, moody pine canopy opening up into raw gritstone ridges. Full route breakdown, high-res photo gallery, and the AllTrails map download are all live over on the blog now.
🔗 Link in bio to explore the route: eternalskiesuk.com

17/05/2026

New on the blog: The Win Hill & Thornhill Circular. ⛰️🥾

Trading the level ground for the gritstone ridges, chasing moody skies, dense pine forests, and checking out the Ladybower bellmouth spillways in full flow.

Full route breakdown, Nikon Z5 photo gallery, and the AllTrails map/GPX download are all live now.

👇 Read the full report here:
eternalskiesuk.com



https://eternalskiesuk.com/2026/05/17/moss-mud-and-moody-skies-the-win-hill-thornhill-circular/

“There is a quiet clarity that only comes when you climb high enough to look the heavy clouds in the eye.” There is a specific kind of magic to the Peak District when the cloud sits hea…

30/12/2025

https://flic.kr/p/2rPpo48

M45 — The Pleiades
Intergration Time 6h 40min
Ha 20x600s
L 40x120s
R 20x120s
G 20x120s
B 20x120s

This image of M45, the Pleiades, represents a more restrained and natural approach to processing, focusing on balance rather than maximum extraction.

Saturation and sharpening have been deliberately held back to preserve natural star colour, smooth background transitions, and a more realistic sense of depth across the field. The faint blue reflection nebulosity is still present, but allowed to fade gently into the surrounding star field, reflecting how subtle this dust appears visually even with long integration.

This version prioritises tonal control and star integrity, highlighting the contrast between the brilliant young stars of the cluster and the vast, densely populated background of the Milky Way. Rather than forcing detail forward, the processing aims to let the structure emerge organically, maintaining a calm and observational aesthetic.

As part of a wider progression, this image serves as a reference point — a baseline from which more experimental or expressive processing choices can be explored.

The Pleiades lie approximately 440 light-years away in the constellation Ta**us, their blue light softly scattered by the interstellar dust they are currently passing through.

Intergration Time 6h 40min Ha 20x600s L 40x120s R 20x120s G 20x120s B 20x120s This image of M45, the Pleiades, represents a more restrained and natural approach to processing, focusing on balance rather than maximum extraction. Saturation and sharpening have been deliberately held back to preserve n...

23/12/2025

A great year in Photography for me thank you all for your support and a have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year more walks planned and stars chased when the weather changes.

08/12/2025

Behind-the-scenes look at processing the Pleiades (M45). Nearly five hours of data reveal the delicate surrounding dust, with an early WIP image — rogue plane trail included — and a breakdown of the careful processing steps bringing the reflection nebula to life.

A behind-the-scenes look at my latest M45 processing session — nearly five hours of data so far, plenty of delicate dust revealing itself, and even a rogue plane sneaking into the luminance stack. …