The 2008 Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) is a program of Appalachian's Outdoor Programs in partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. This competition provides both amateur and professional photographers the opportunity to showcase their interpretation of the unique character, people, places, and pursuits that distinguish the Southern Appalachians.

Categories for photographic submissions include Adventure, Blue Ridge Parkway Vista, Blue Ridge Parkway Share the Journey&tm;, Culture, Environment, Flora/Fauna and Landscape. A number of cash awards and Mast General Store Prize Packages will be presented in addition to the popular Footsloggers People's Choice Award. Competition supporters include Bistro Roca and Antlers Bar of Blowing Rock, NC and Peabody's Beer and Wine Merchants of Boone, NC and new to this year's competition, Virtual Blue Ridge.

AMPC does more than highlight the great talent of the amateur and professional photographers whose images are selected. A large portion of the proceeds subsidize the cost of ASU students participating in Outdoor Programs Student Outdoor Learning Expeditions (SOLE). SOLE trips are educational journeys of discovery that take Appalachian State University students around the world. Previous SOLE trips have taken students to New Zealand, Alaska, Fiji and Wales and award academic credit to participating students. For more information please visit www.op.appstate.edu.