Do you have a picture that would look great on the cover of the Communicator or in our Special Edition Calendar? Many of the pictures we'll publish in 2006 will be selected from those entered in the Annual Photo Contest.

There are six categories to choose from. If you're a category winner, we'll publish your winning image and send you a great prize:

First Place - A year's free PCTA membership (keep it for yourself or give it as a gift) and ONE free item from the PCTA store that with shipping and handling charges is valued at $25 or less.

Second & Third Places - ONE item from the PCTA store that with shipping and handling charges is valued at $25 or less.

Rules

Submission deadline is January 31, 2006. You must be a PCTA member to enter. If you're not a member yet, join today!

Photos can be color or black & white, slides, prints, or digital images of any location along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Digital images may be submitted on CD (jgeg or tiff files) but must be in a high resolution (at least 300 dpi or approximately 1000x1500 pixels for a 3"x5" photo). Please keep in mind that digital photos entered in the "Cover" category, or digital photos you wish to be considered for use in our annual calendar, should be at least 8.5 x 11 inches at 300 dpi or approx. 2500 x 3300 pixels in size. Also, you must clearly label your CD with your name and address and provide a printout of each image.

Photos can be horizontal or vertical with cover entries preferably, but not exclusively, vertical.

You may enter as many photos as you wish. On the back of each entry (or on a separate piece of paper if a slide, or on the CD/CD case if you're submitting digital images) include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, the contest category you are entering, and a detailed caption outlining the location on the PCT depicted in the photo.

Photos and discs will not be returned so please keep copies!

Winners will be announced in a spring 2006 issue of the Communicator. All winning pictures and many others will be published in the Communicator and on PCTA.org throughout the year.

Send your entries to:

PCTA Photo Contest
c/o Lee Terkelsen
32153 Road 168
Visalia, CA 93292

Contest Categories

1. Cover - Enter a photo that you think would be suitable for the cover of the Communicator. It should preferably, but not necessarily, be a vertical shot to fit the cover. This photo may also be entered in any of the categories below but please clearly denote each category (including "Cover") for which the photo should be considered. Digital photos entered in the "Cover" category should be 8.5 x 11 inches at 300 dots per inch or 2500 x 3300 pixels in size.

2. Humorous - A photo that illustrates the lighter side of life along the trail.

3. Trail Majesty - A photo that captures the beauty of the PCT.

4. Human Spirit - Any photo along the trail that shows hikers or riders in their PCT environment.

5. Trail Work - Photos of PCTA or other trail maintenance volunteers along the PCT.

6. Equestrian - Any photo along the trail that shows riders in their PCT environment. (Note: This is a NEW photo contest category.)