Now in its third year, the Banff book festival has already become an important gathering of readers and writers. It is a time to enjoy careful editing and fine alpine photography, but above all else, a chance to praise the written word as inspired by mountains and climbers.

The international book competition brings together the best works of the year, titles vying for awards in the following categories: grand prize, mountain literature, mountain exposition, mountain image, and adventure travel.

The festival also offered seminars, including one on
adventure travel writing.

The judges announced their choices on Thursday, October 31.

Grand Prize
Award: $1,000

Winner: Himalaya Alpine-Style
The international jury called it a "dream book that can get you fired up and excited about." By Andy Fanshawe & Stephen Venables
Published by Hodder & Stoughton
(Available in North America through The Mountaineers Books of Seattle, 800-553-4453.)
Sponsored by Adventurous Traveler Bookstore

Mountain Literature
Award: $1,000

Winner: Into the Wild
By Jon Krakauer
Villard Books
Sponsored by The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

Special Jury Mention: Alaska Ascents
Edited by Bill Sherwonit
Alaska Northwest Books

Runners-up:

• A Portrait of Leni Riefenstahl. Audrey Salkeld. Jonathan Cape
  
• Storms of Silence. Joe Simpson. Jonathan Cape
  
• In the Zone. Peter Pottersfield. The Mountaineers Books
  
• Landmarks. David Craig. Jonathan Cape
  
• The Story of the White Crystal. Hildegaard Diemberger, Maria Antonia, Kurt Diemberger. Ferrari Editrice
  

Mountain Exposition
Award: $500

Winner: Dawson's Guide to the Colorado's Fourteeners
By Louis Dawson
Blue Clover Press
Sponsored by Mountain Lights Bookstore

Runners-up:

• Walks and Easy Hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Graeme Pole. Altitude Publishing
  
• Grand Tour of Monte Rosa. C.J. Wright. Cicerone
  
• Parkways of the Canadian Rockies. Brian Patton. Summerthought
• Lakeland Panoramas. Jim Watson. Cicerone
• Hikers Guide to Art of the Canadian Rockies. Lisa Christensen. Glenbow Museum

Mountain Image
Award: $500

Winner: Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion
By Phil Borges
Rizzoli International Publications
Sponsored by Miles High Image Centre/Kodak

Runners-up:

• Poles Apart. Galen Rowell. Mountain Light/Mitchell Beazley
  
• Wild Colours. Paul Gilbert & Kathryn Graham. Wild Light Press
• A Mountain Alphabet. Margriet Ruurs. Tundra Books

Adventure Travel
Award: $500

Winner: Voyage of a Summer Sun
By Robin Cody
Sasquatch Books
Sponsored by Mountain Travel*Sobek

Runner-up:

• Demon River Apurimac. J. Calvin Giddings. University of Utah Press