The 2008 UKC/International Literature Festival Writing Competition is now over. The winning essay was read aloud by climbing journalist and photographer Ian Smith at the Kendal Mountain festival last Friday, and was listened to and enjoyed by some of the top climbers and climbing writers in the world. As ever Ian did an amazing job at the festival, and everyone involved was impressed by the high standard of entries.

The top three winners are as follows:

1st Place (£150 Cash Prize) goes to Adam Bradley for his superb entry: Descent into Darkness

2nd Place goes to Robert Walton for his cosmic essay: Perfect Partner (coming soon on UKC)

3rd Place goes to ex-Alpinist editor, Katie Ives for the emotionally charged Trespass (coming soon on UKC)

UKClimbing.com is proud to be part of the International Festival of Mountaineering Literature and the Kendal Mountain Festival.

Thanks to all those who entered. The standard was exceptionally high and the entries flooded in from all corners of the globe.

We would like to take this opportunity to also thank Terry Gifford as this was his final year at the literature festival, and also we wish Niall Grimes the best of luck taking over from Terry as literature festival organiser.

Read the winning essay: Descent into Darkness