Meet Our Adventurers of the Year

For seven years, National Geographic has combed the globe to find Adventurers of the Year, each selected for his or her extraordinary achievement in exploration, conservation, and adventure sports. This year the National Geographic Adventure editors selected men and women who are pioneering innovation in the world of adventure–by reinventing distance hiking on the Appalachian Trail, launching a backyard microadventure movement, skiing the Andes under human power, and much more.

Over the next few weeks, here on Intelligent Travel, we will introduce each of the new Adventurers of the Year. Check them out, then vote every day for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award (through January 18, 2012). We’ll announce the winner in February.

See photos of all the Adventurers of the Year, and submit your own: Upload your favorite adventure photos with a caption to My Shot. Tag all submissions #adventure, then look for your photos online in one of our community galleries or on our blog.