Haida Gwaii, an evocative portrait of West Coast totem poles by Connecticut photographer Sandy Hale, has won the Grand Prize in the 2000 Banff Mountain Photography Competition. The competition is presented by Eagle Creek Travel Gear and the National Geographic Society, and sponsored by Nikon Canada and West Canadian Color.

Haida Gwaii topped an impressive collection of more than 2,100 photographs submitted from 14 countries for this prestigious fifth annual competition. Sandy Hale, a freelance photographer based in Windham, Connecticut, says she is thrilled that this photo was chosen for the Grand Prize. "The image tells a story about why the Haida consider these old growth forests to be sacred and about the devastation caused by logging early in this century. "

The 2000 Banff Mountain Photography Competition jury included Baiba Morrow, of Canmore; Alberta; Alec Pytlowany, of Banff, Alberta; and Gordon Wiltsie, of Bozeman, Montana. Baiba Morrow says that Haida Gwaii was a clear winner. "The judging committee was impressed by Sandy's ability to portray not only a landscape but also the spirit of the people who inhabit that land. Her image demonstrates both technical skill and creativity."

In addition to the Grand Prize, the jury chose winners in five subject categories. Another ten photographs by eight photographers received special mention. Winners include:

• $1000
• From Eagle Creek Travel Gear, a World Journey Travel Pack, 15" Folder, Half Cube, Medium Pack it Sac, and Padded Quarter Cube, (value: $450)
• From National Geographic Society, The Complete National Geographic CD-ROM: 110 Years Collector's Edition & the National Geographic's Atlas of the World, Deluxe Edition (Hardcover) (value: $450)
• From Nikon, Nikon Pronea 600i Kit (value: $800)
• From West Canadian Color, 10 rolls of Fujifilm Provia F Slide Film with processing at West Canadian Color. (valued: $160)

The following photographers won category prizes and will each receive:

• $500
• From Eagle Creek Travel Gear, a Transcontinental Journey Travel Pack, (value: $300)
• From National Geographic Society, National Geographic's Atlas of the World, Deluxe Edition (Hardcover) (value: $300)
• From Nikon, Nikon Action 10x50CF Lookout IV Binoculars (value: $200)
• From West Canadian Color, Gift Certificates for Custom Framing. (value: $75)

Peter Mathis of Hohenems, Austria for Snowboarder Powderdream (Best Photo—Mountain Adventure)

Dr. George C. Lo of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for Horsedrive #5 (Best Photo—Mountain Culture)

Kennan Ward of Santa Cruz, California, USA for Brown Bears & Sign (Best Photo—Mountain Environment)

Gary Brettnacher of Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada for Strathcona Creek (Best Photo—Mountain Flora & Fauna)

Niki Kavakonis of Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Homage to Lawren Harris I (Best Photo—Mountain Landscape)

In addition, each of the following photographers received Special Mentions:

Pierre Dunnigan of Brigham, Quebec, Canada for Two Geese in Flight
Dave Edwards of Flagstaff, Arizona, USA for Golden Eagle Returning to Fist and for Shaman Galbuh with Burning Juniper
Carson Ganci of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada for Burmis Tree and for The Big Catch
Darby Goulden of Bramalea, Ontario, Canada for Untitled
Bruce M. Herman of Anchorage, Alaska, USA for Bearberry Leaves with Feather, Denali State Park
Rick Price of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada for Twins in Nepal
René Robert of Chamonix, France for Thailand
Thomas Ulrich of Interlaken, Switzerland for Stefan Siegrist climbing the Schilthorn

The Banff Mountain Photography Competition is a program of the Banff Centre for Mountain Culture. Winning photos will be unveiled at Cascade Plaza in Banff, during the Banff Mountain Film Festival and Banff Mountain Book Festival in November 2000. The photos will remain on display in Banff through to October 2001 at the Banff Centre, and will be exhibited at select locations in North America and abroad.