Two BC-published books were among the recipients for the 2018 Banff Mountain Book Competition Awards announced on November 1, 2018, during the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival.
The Canadian Rockies: Rediscovered by Paul Zizka (Rocky Mountain Books) won in the category for Mountain Image.
“Paul Zizka has produced an absolutely breathtaking collection of images of the Canadian Rockies,” said Ian Welsted for the 2018 Book Competition Jury. “People from the world over visit the Rockies to take in these views; Zizka captures them at their most magnificent. Initially recognized for his aurora night photos this collection revisits the area with new themes. The result is a visual masterpiece.”
Honouring High Places: The Mountain Life of Junko Tabei by Junko Tabei and Helen Rolfe (Rocky Mountain Books) won the Mountaineering History category.
“The story of a young woman who begins climbing in Japanese Mountain Club culture in the 1960’s is a tale worth reading in itself. From this complex and often tragic social beginning Junko Tabei goes on to a rich life that manages to include family, teaching and climbing all over the world well into her late 70’s while supporting causes related to the value of a life connected to nature and the mountains,” said Larry Stanier for the 2018 Book Competition Jury. “It is a well named and well put together piece of history.”
The Banff Mountain Book Competition Awards are an internationally recognized literary competition that celebrates mountain literature in all its forms. The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival celebrates mountain literature and film, bringing together filmmakers, writers, publishers, editors, photographers, athletes, adventurers, and—of course—readers.