Spectacular Winning Images of the Mountain Photo of the Year 2022 Competition
A selection of the winning entries and contenders for Trail magazine’s annual photography competition, now in its ninth year.
The winning entry by Anglesey bookkeeper Kat Lawman is an image shot above the clouds at the top of Garnedd Ugain in Eryri (Snowdonia), that shows Jupiter, Saturn and Venus aligning under the watchful gaze of a wild camper. Kat, who also spends her time as a mountain leader and took up photography as a hobby three years ago, said: ‘It was such a truly earth-moving moment I was reduced to tears. The mountains here in Snowdonia are my life, and my escape … This night in December I managed to get the whole Snowdon massif all to myself, there wasn’t another single person around and this photo will always be the most special one to me’. Photograph: Kat Lawman
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An unexpected meeting at sunrise on Crib-y-Ddysgl, on Garnedd Ugain, Eryri. Photograph: Tim Smith
Sunrise on Suilven, north-west Highlands. Photograph: Adrian Conchie
The third-place image is also from Snowdonia: a shot showing the Milky Way arching over Llyn Llydaw. Fujifilm ambassador and competition judge Chris Upton said: ‘A fabulous image. So much impact with the arch of the Milky Way and the mist in the background adding an important element to the picture. Technically excellent, perfect exposure, sharp throughout and great composition’. Photograph: Luke Gage
Cliff Hand, with a view towards Assynt and Coigach, Highlands. Photograph: David Hutchings
A wild camper in the Lake District. Photograph: Daniel Halliday
This runner-up image by Padam Gurung captured the beauty, scale and adventure of crossing Striding Edge in the Lake District on a winter day. ‘As I was heading towards Striding Edge in the morning, people were already walking on the ridge. The sun hitting the cliff covered with light atmospheric clouds caused a silhouette of the edge and the people walking on it, so I grabbed my camera and took shots in various compositions’. Photograph: Padam Gurung
Winter in Glen Coe, Highlands. Photograph: Jay Birmingham
Buachaille Etive Mòr waterfalls, Highlands. Photograph: Jay Birmingham
Tryfan sunrise, Snowdonia. Photograph: Paul Williams
Fairfield Horseshoe sunset, Lake District. Photograph: Mat Partington
The sun rises between Sgurr nan Gillean and Knight’s Peak, Black Cuillin, Isle of Skye. Photograph: Adrian Trendall
Stars over Glen Coe, Highlands. Photograph: George Buttery
Sunset at the Fiddler, Highlands. Photograph: Joe Purmal