A Unique Day of Aerial Photography with an Epic Challenge Ahead

Wow, what a day! The weather was absolutely perfect—bright blue skies, warm temperatures, and almost no wind. With such ideal conditions, I decided to try something a little different, and it certainly paid off.

Today, I had the privilege of meeting up with the incredible Paul Harris, who is gearing up to run 5 marathons in 5 days across the challenging terrains of Teesdale next week. We joined him during his training at two stunning locations, where I captured both drone footage and photos. I must say, Paul wasn’t quite ready for the number of times I asked him to run up and down, but he was an absolute sport about it.

Here’s what we got up to:

Cauldron Snout

Our first stop of the day was at Cauldron Snout, a dramatic waterfall located at the foot of Cow Green Reservoir, which flows into the River Tees. Known as one of the longest waterfalls in England, Cauldron Snout is formed by a series of rock ledges that create a powerful cascade of water. The rugged terrain surrounding the waterfall provides a striking contrast to the smooth flow of water, making it an ideal location for drone photography. Paul Harris, who was training for his upcoming challenge, navigated the steep rocks and unpredictable paths, providing the perfect opportunity to capture his movements against the stunning natural backdrop. The combination of water, rocks, and an athlete in motion gave me the chance to take some truly unique footage and photos.

The area around Cauldron Snout is not only visually spectacular but also physically demanding. It is part of Upper Teesdale, a site of special scientific interest due to its unique geology and rare plant species. The area offers some of the most challenging terrains in the North Pennines, with its steep inclines, rough paths, and exposed rock faces. Paul’s training session here was a test of his endurance, as he ran up and down the trails multiple times. The waterfall's roaring waters provided a constant soundtrack, and the drone was able to capture wide shots of the landscape, highlighting the scale of the waterfall against the sprawling countryside. I can’t wait to edit this footage—it’s going to be something special!

Kirkcarrion

Next, we headed to Kirkcarrion, a distinctive hill near Middleton-in-Teesdale that offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. Atop the hill is a group of trees, said to mark the burial site of an ancient chieftain, King Carrion, adding an air of mystery to this already striking location. The steep climb to the summit presented another great opportunity to capture Paul as he trained on tough, uphill terrain. The views from the top were breathtaking, and the drone footage showcases the incredible effort it took to get up there, with Paul making multiple ascents and descents, even though he’s in the middle of tapering for his big challenge.

Kirkcarrion is an iconic local landmark, with its circular arrangement of trees visible for miles around. The area is steeped in local folklore, with tales of ancient burials and ghostly apparitions. The hill itself is a testament to the area’s ancient history, and today it remains a popular spot for both hikers and photographers alike. From a drone photographyperspective, Kirkcarrion was perfect for capturing wide, sweeping shots of Teesdale’s rolling hills and Paul’s athletic prowess as he powered through the climb. The weather was ideal for filming, with bright blue skies and no wind, allowing the drone to get steady, detailed footage of this incredible location. It was a fantastic way to round off the day’s shoot, and I’m excited to see how the footage turns out!

There’s so much footage to go through, and this is going to be a completely different edit from what I’m used to. That’s part of the fun though—new challenges keep it exciting! Tomorrow looks like another great day weather-wise, and I’ve got a few more spots on my list to check out and capture.

You can learn more about Paul and his amazing challenge on his JustGiving Page - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-harris-utass-marathon-challenge