Okanagan Section Photo Contest Winners

On March 3rd, 2006, while skiing in the Valkyr Range of the Selkirk Mountains, an avalanche took the lives of Pat Reiter and TJ Tessel. The two inseparable friends were on an annual week-long backcountry ski trip with ten other members of the Okanagan section of the Alpine Club of Canada. Pat and TJ were enthusiastic participants in the section’s mountaineering and backcountry ski trips. Pat had a great passion for photography and TJ was his constant companion on their many mountain adventures.

The Okanagan Section decided to memorialize the two by establishing the annual Pat Reiter and TJ Tessel Memorial Photo Contest.

The Best Part of Being in the Alpine - Marcus Savery

In the words of Okanagan Section member Andy McQuilkin:

Our section misses Pat and TJ. TJ for the way he would spring into action to help out, his boundless energy on our trips, his enthusiasm for adventure, his cups of tea, his bright green neon ski boots always breaking trail and his love for the mountains. Pat for his creativity, spontaneity and skill as a photographer coupled with his warm generosity of spirit that compelled him to photograph his friend and share those pictures with them. And the two of them together for their wit and rich sense of humour. Life is not just about the adventure; it is about the friends you make along the way.

The photo contest has been running for fourteen years and has proven to be an event that section members look forward to every year. Jim Tanner volunteered to run the first contest and has been doing so ever since. The winners of the photo contest are voted upon by section members. Here are the winning photos from the 2020 Pat Reiter and TJ Tessel Memorial Photo Contest.

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1st place images

1st place - People - Morning Commute in Northern BC - Shane Yargeau

1st place - Flora and Fauna - “Steller’s Jay, stellar day; early May” - Ken Little

1st place - Landscape - Alpine Layers - Marcus Savery

1st Place - Backcountry Skiing - Stairway to Heaven - Connor Magro

1st place - Humour and Blackmail - The Best Part of Being in the Alpine - Marcus Savery

1st place Climbing - Morning Light on the BS Col - Shane Yargeau

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2nd place images

2nd place - People - Ridgetop Sunrise - Connor Magro

2nd place - Backcountry Skiing - Blower Run - Dave Conly

2nd place - Climbing - Looking Up - Sam Tafel

2nd place - Flora and Fauna - Turns all year - It takes dedication - Shane Yargeau

2nd place - Landscape - Floe-ing along the trail - Dave Conly

2nd place (tie) - Humour - Where’s the Lake - Kathy Wylie

2nd place (tie) - Humour - Into The Void - Connor Magro (its always comical when skiing through an unexpected blizzard)

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3rd place images

3rd place - People - Trusting the Hold - Sam Tafel

3rd place - Backcountry skiing - Euphoria - Conan Shing

3rd place - Humour - Thank you for taking me skiing - collaboration between John Prudhoe, Touska The Husky and Winter Jones

3rd place (tie) - Flora and Fauna - Curious Companion - Connor Magro

3rd place - Climbing - Between The Crags - Conan Shing

3rd place (tie) - Flora and Fauna - Davidsons Penstemon in all its glory - Erin Sketchley

3rd place (tie) - landscape - Un-named Ridge Leading To An Un-named Peak in Granby Provincial Park - Jeff Collins

3rd place (tie) - landscape Morning Below Aguja Guillaumet - Brian Arquilla

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Okanagan Section

The Okanagan Section was created in 1996 to provide a meeting ground for Okanagan residents interested in outdoor recreation in a mountain setting. With access to the Skaha Bluffs, the Cascades, the Coast Range, the Cariboos, the Monashees, the Valhallas, and the Selkirks, the Okanagan provides opportunities for a wide variety of activities. Our members are active in rock climbing, ice climbing, alpine climbing, hiking, mountain biking, nordic skiing, telemarking, ski mountaineering, and snowshoeing. Anyone seeking an encounter with nature, challenge, friendship, learning, and fun through such activities is invited to join us.