Follow the Adventurers of the Year on Instagram

Last November we announced the 2015 Adventurers of the Year and invited you to vote every day through January 31 for the People’s Choice. Now in our 11th year of celebrating the world’s most inspiring adventurers, we have established a pretty spectacular crew of people who continue to define the human spirit in unique ways (see all our honorees). Here’s a look at some of our honorees (in alphabetical order) on Instagram. Follow them (and us, too, @natgeoadvenure)!

Alastair Humphreys – @al_humphreys

I recently rode the legendary Fred Whitton Challenge round the Lake District. It was ace! #drivenbyadventure

A photo posted by Alastair Humphreys (@al_humphreys) on Jul 29, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT

Aleksander Doba – @aleksander_doba

A photo posted by Aleksander Doba (@aleksander_doba) on Oct 10, 2015 at 3:25am PDT

Alex Honnold – @alexhonnold

It’s been fun to be in sport climbing project mode again. Posted up at the VRG trying as hard as I can. Thanks @james_lucas for capturing the crux moves of my project. And being a constant source of motivation and belays.

A photo posted by Alex Honnold (@alexhonnold) on Dec 21, 2015 at 8:33am PST

André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard – @solarimpulse

Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg are in Paris for #COP21 and tonight at the #UNESCO for the preview of the best-of movie that will be soon broadcasted! #Paris #futureisclean

A photo posted by Solar Impulse (@solarimpulse) on Nov 25, 2015 at 11:32am PST

Arthur Middleton – @arthurmiddleton

@jennygnichols shooting for @elkriverfilm – this one even works on her birthday! Happy birthday Jenny! #workinggirl A photo posted by Arthur Middleton (@arthurmiddleton) on Aug 7, 2015 at 6:33pm PDT

Ben Knight – @ben_knight

There’s a new shred spot in the San Luis Valley [South Central Colorado] and it’s real neat. A photo posted by b e n k n i g h t (@ben_knight) on Oct 28, 2015 at 10:22am PDT

  Ben Stookesbury – @redonkulous2u

Happy holidays from the Poe gorge of the North Feather River! A photo posted by Ben Stookesberry (@redonkulous2u) on Nov 23, 2015 at 11:35am PST

  Benny Marr – @bennymrr

Sick day of paddling here on the Zambezi!!!! Here is Sven Lammler peeling out for round one on minus 2. #Dreamline continues. @gopro #gopro #victoriafalls #braaap A photo posted by Ben Marr (@bennymrr) on Dec 22, 2015 at 10:35am PST

Carissa Moore – @rissmoore10

Get lowwwwww : @badboyryry_ A photo posted by Carissa Moore (@rissmoore10) on Dec 12, 2015 at 8:46pm PST

Chris Davenport – @steepsking

Hello Winter great to see you again. Hope everyone finds their dream line and keeps it safe. #GoPro #goprosnow A photo posted by Chris Davenport (@steepskiing) on Dec 1, 2015 at 3:41pm PST

Chris Korbulic – @ckorbulic

Definitely one of the bigger boofs I’ve ever sent, Salto das Nuvens, #brazil. The falls lived up to its name though, and it was like landing in a big soft cloud. Photo @redonkulous2u just before he sent a similar line! #liveyouradventure @jackson.kayak @eddiebauer @wernerpaddles @kokatatusa #intothewater A photo posted by Chris Korbulic (@ckorbulic) on Dec 8, 2015 at 11:53am PST

Christy Mahon – @aspenchristy

Winter wonderland up at the Lindley Hut! Christmas elves @tedmahon and @timmutrie go inside to warm up after snowy tour. #annualchristmashuttrip

A photo posted by Christy Mahon (@aspenchristy) on Dec 25, 2015 at 4:41pm PST

Danny MacAskill – @danny_macaskill

There was a little bit of commitment involved in this line…. #GoPro #cascadia #laspalmas #grancanaria Click on link in bio to watch full video A photo posted by Danny MacAskill (@danny_macaskill) on Dec 12, 2015 at 1:30am PST

Dave and Amy Freeman – @freemanexplore

As we set up our tent this afternoon Amy smiled and said,”It feels good to move.” I couldn’t agree more. After camping for 10 days on the east end of Newfound Lake, as we waited for the west end of Newfound and Moose to freeze, it felt great to load our canoe and haul it over the newly formed ice. We didn’t move very far, but the act of moving was wonderful. We set up our tent in a new grove of trees, chopped a new water hole in the lake, and make a new temporary home. As we loaded the canoe this morning a snowshoe hare raced across the lake in front of our camp and an otter ran around on the ice 100 yards away. A few minutes later another snowshoe hare came bounding from the other direction past our camp. Its seems like everyone was out and about today. Snow steadily fell as we hauled the canoe across the ice. We weren’t going far, so we loaded up armloads of firewood and nestled our ice luminaries in amongst the packs. We figured that we will enjoy lighting them on New Years Eve too. We left the Christmas lights on the tent as well so we can enjoy them for a few more nights! It seems rather silly, but why not? We are expecting several visitors over the next week. Some friends are going to haul in our toboggans and haul out our canoe. Amy’s dad is coming to visit for a few days. Plus, several other friends that are going to join us for New Years. After having the Wilderness to ourselves for about 6 weeks, we are looking forward to seeing friends and family. The EPA considers hard rock mining to be the nation’s most polluting industry. Foreign mining companies want to build giant copper mines in a sulfide-ore body on the edge of the Boundary Waters, our nation’s most popular Wilderness area. A mine of this type has never been build anywhere in the world without causing significant surface or ground water pollution. We are spending a year in this great Wilderness to remind people what is at stake and urge people to take action. Please like @savetheBWCA , sign the petition, make a donation, and help protect this national treasure. #wildernessyear #savetheBWCA #wilderness #BWCA #BoundaryWaters #keepitwild @mti_life_jackets @wenonah_canoe A photo posted by Dave and Amy Freeman (@freemanexplore) on Dec 26, 2015 at 1:45pm PST

David Lama – @davidlama_official

Check the link in my bio to see the full video about #Avaatara! #Repost @redbull ・・・ Don’t stop until you get to the top. : @coreyrichproductions #climbing #rocks #rockclimbing #avaatara #Baatara #Balaa #Lebanon Catch the full story in our bio. A photo posted by David Lama (@davidlama_official) on Oct 7, 2015 at 6:22am PDT

Erik Boomer – @eboomer

Summer is catching up to us. We are now traveling through the night to avoid the heat of the day, the dogs prefer the cool nights. Here is a big sunrise at 4:30 AM between arctic bay and igloolik. #wayofthenorth A photo posted by Erik Boomer (@eboomer) on May 4, 2015 at 7:53am PDT

Erik Weihenmayer – @erikweihenmayer

#FBF to a chilly training day on Diamond Down in the Grand Canyon. @skyler_j_williams @harlantaney #GrandCanyon #kayaking #blindkayaking A photo posted by Erik Weihenmayer (@erikweihenmayer) on Oct 30, 2015 at 3:21pm PDT

Gavin McClurg – @gavinmcclurg

Bluebird and DEEP day 5 touring my backyard in #sunvalley ridiculous!! No filter needed, just a whole lot of epic. Thank u Santa! Shot with the @xshot pole and #hero4 @gopro A photo posted by Gavin McClurg (@gavinmcclurg) on Dec 26, 2015 at 3:31pm PST

Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner – @pyhrgas

Climbing in Kreta. #beactive #itsgreatoutthere #deuter A photo posted by Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner (@pyhrgas) on Sep 6, 2015 at 2:06pm PDT

Greg Long – @gerglong

I have no words that would do justice when describing how amazing the Pe’ahi Challenge was; how grateful I am to everyone who helped bring the event to life, especially those who made sure everyone came home safe; how lucky I feel to be surrounded by surfers/friends/family who support and inspire me to continually push myself to be better both in and out of the water every single day; and how big and terrifying this barrel actually was. Photo: @brentbielmann @billabong @peligrosotequila @christensonsurfboards @clifbarcompany @vonzipper @futuresfins A photo posted by Greg Long (@gerglong) on Dec 10, 2015 at 3:08pm PST

Ian Welsted – @ianwelsted

Why climb ice when you can scratch up rock instead? @alpineclubcan Photo Jay Mills A photo posted by Ian Welsted (@ianwelsted) on Oct 23, 2015 at 11:47am PDT

Jamie Mitchell – @jamie_mitcho

2 x Broken Sup Boards, 1 Busted Eardrum and a whole lot of fun at this wave in #tahiti . @ryanheywood @quiksilver @quiksilverwaterman @qbpaddles @kaenon @konared @jm_paddleboards @futuressup @raimanaworld @floresjeremy A photo posted by Jamie Mitchell (@jamie_mitcho) on Dec 27, 2015 at 5:59pm PST

Jennifer Pharr Davis – @jenpharrdavis

Hiking on the #ContinentalDivideTrail in #Wyoming #CDT #sectionhike #WY #WindRiverRange #TheWinds A photo posted by Jennifer Pharr Davis (@jenpharrdavis) on Aug 18, 2015 at 10:12am PDT

Jeremy Jones – @jeremyjones

Here is a pic I took of @robinhill0210 snowboarding at 17,00ft on Denali to celebrate @BarackObama finally changing Mt Mckinley to Denali after 40 years of pleading from the Alaskans. He is visiting Alaska this week and will be the first president to step foot in the Arctic. If only he would #ActonClimate and reverse his decision to issue permits to drill for oil off the Northwest coast. #wildsalmondenali #protectourwinters A photo posted by Jeremy Jones (@jeremyjones) on Aug 31, 2015 at 7:49pm PDT

  Joe Riis – @joeriis

Snowing outside and it’s dark, wintertime, so I look at this years pictures on my computer from summertime in the mtns. Here is Wes in the Thorofare, he is a mountain guy, true and through. #friends @arthurmiddleton A photo posted by Joe Riis (@joeriis) on Dec 14, 2015 at 6:55pm PST

Josh Dueck – @justdueck

So much stoke and gratitude for the @hi5sfoundation || for all the wonderful things they do, for so many people. This weekend we made our way to Ventura, California for an adaptive surf camp and contest. It was incredible to see the progression and the level of riding from all the athletes. Seriously, mind blowing to witness and experience. For me the ocean is big, burly and totally overwhelming. I am not comfortable out there, at all. And that’s the beauty of it. I love the challenge, atmosphere and the stoke it brings out in people. PhotoGENIUS @themanonthecliff A photo posted by Josh Dueck (@justdueck) on Oct 12, 2015 at 8:57am PDT

Kilian Jornet – @kilianjornet

Another great day in the mountains. Sunset feom a great couloir with @vivianbruchez @salomonoutdoor @petzl_official @suunto A photo posted by Kilian Jornet (@kilianjornet) on Dec 25, 2015 at 10:21am PST

Kit DesLauriers – @kitdski

Thankfully about an hour of 34 degrees up high (from 5-6 am) this morning atop @jacksonhole was enough to translate to skiable snow on the Powder 8 face. I’m thankful that the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center maintains year round weather stations so we can check these things. Also thankful for my new uber light @dynastarskis Cham ’87’s and @dynafit TLT 6 Performance boots with Speed Superlite bindings. All in all, it’s the lightest set up I’ve ever had – and it works! A photo posted by Kit DesLauriers (@kitdski) on May 30, 2015 at 2:03pm PDT

Lewis Pugh – @lewispugh1

Completed the southern most swim. Conditions were terrifying. Pic: @kelvin_trautman A photo posted by Lewis Pugh (@lewispugh1) on Mar 2, 2015 at 11:42am PST

  Liz Clark – @captainlizclark

the Tropicat and i just scored a sweet new low-impact ride…@patagonia_surf @mizulife @loveavasol @ecoflex_ @zealoptics @b4bc #lessfuelmoremuscle #crazycatladystatus #vaahoe A photo posted by Captain Lizzy (@captainlizclark) on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:41pm PDT

Matt Moniz – @matt_moniz

Skiing the Pfeifferhorn #sickday #findingwinter A photo posted by Matt Moniz (@matt_moniz) on Mar 22, 2015 at 8:15pm PDT

Mike Libecki – @mikelibecki

@jonaihaag ‘s first #bigwall (ever!) was on #baffinisland, here 8 pitches up and a #godsend of a big natural ledge equals sleeping without harnesses on and easy bathroom duties (pun intended)…#whyrationpassion #MHWathlete #firstascent #nunavut #arctic #frozenocean @mountainhardwear @msr_gear @thermarest @clifbarcompany @goalzero @blackdiamond @fiveten_official @sterlingrope #twentyfourhoursunlight @smithoptics A photo posted by Mike Libecki (@mikelibecki) on May 25, 2015 at 2:56am PDT

  Pedro Oliva – @pedrolivakaiak

Existem momentos que queremos repetir, repetir e repetir ! @alexandresocci SVALBARD CIRCULO ÁRTICO #bringyourlife @mundomit @thule @bio2organic @hbbrasil @jackson.kayak #atletamit #atletabiO2 #HBTeam #thulecrew @redeglobo & @canaloff A photo posted by PEDRO OLIVA ♻️ (@pedrolivakaiak) on Jan 5, 2016 at 3:36pm PST

Ramon Navarro – @surfnavarro

Extraño esos días. A seguir entrenando para cuando lleguen estar al % #rapanui Foto @fariasmoreno Este día después de partir dos tablas solo me quedaba esta 9,2. Un poco larga pero igual había espacio en esos tubos azules. Que Buenos recuerdos con mi compadre @utiaraki @fcdsurfboards A photo posted by Ramon Navarro (@surfnavarro) on Nov 20, 2015 at 3:39am PST

Renan Ozturk – @renan_ozturk

Simple teamwork, slow movements. Setting up our hanging camp on the 2011 @merufilm expedition. The story is widely available on @itunes if anyone missed it! [@jimmy_chin @conrad_anker #merufilm collection] A photo posted by Renan Ozturk (@renan_ozturk) on Nov 25, 2015 at 9:30am PST

Scott Jurek – @scottjurek

 

‘Tis the season #runhappyholidays

 

A photo posted by Scott Jurek (@scottjurek) on Dec 13, 2015 at 12:52pm PST

Stacy Bare – @stacyabare

#toproping like a boss on the aptly named #sexygrandma #neverstopexploring #climbing @inyowear thanks for the #giraffe pants A photo posted by Stacy Bare (@stacyabare) on Dec 12, 2015 at 5:13pm PST

Steve Boyes – @drsteveboyes

King of the riverine forests of #OkavangoDelta Looking into the eyes of this powerful male #leopard connects us to the formative power that created all of us… #okavango16 #Botswana @natgeotravel #ngexpeditions A photo posted by Steve Boyes (@drsteveboyes) on Jan 4, 2016 at 5:23am PST

Ted Mahon – @tedmahon

Many hours on the ridge and yet it was still a long way away. With @pete_gaston @strafeouterwear #strafe #athomeinthemountains #kaestle #tx82 @kaestleski @gregorypacks #targhee45 @honeystinger #hshive

A photo posted by Ted Mahon (@tedmahon) on Jan 4, 2016 at 8:12pm PST

Tommy Caldwell – @tommycaldwell

My life these days is full of great new people, introspective moments, and lots if excitement. This photo was taken at Taft point last week. As we sat at the Dean Potter memorial a large Raven squawked aggressively at us. Then as the sun set I gave @jaredleto a 5 minute crash course in jumaring and we descended 100 feet in a very exposed location at the top of Taft point and climbed back out as the last light faded. The look of excitement towards climbing I saw in Jared’s eyes reminded me of the days when I was just a kid and getting on these big walls for the first time. Thanks for capturing the moment @renan_ozturk A photo posted by Tommy Caldwell (@tommycaldwell) on Jun 29, 2015 at 8:33pm PDT

Travis Rummel – @travisrummel

After looking over the upper reaches of the Unuk from the air, we knew we in for a punishing bushwhack. I have a strong distaste for backpacking and despite our greatest efforts to slim down our kits we all had 60 lb packs to contend with. Our Garmin GPS conveniently lacked all topo lines for the region and we were left with vague shading to guide us through the thick canopy of old growth temperate rainforest. @gordonklco literally saved our asses with his steadfast route finding. We spent 4 days hiking 36 hard earned miles along densely forested ridge lines, alpacaing over raging tributaries and literally tunneling through overhead devil’s club. There was zero sign of man. We hit an incredible high pressure weather window with sunny skies and no rain — a complete anomaly for the zone. So let’s just say we had ideal conditions; it was still insanely difficult. One long 12 hour day in the 4 day stretch, we covered a measly 2.5 linear miles. The country beat us down and the mosquitos did their best to drain us of all of our blood. The only highlights were finding remnant snow banks and packing large snowballs into our hats. It was heavenly, but short lived. All we could dream about was inflating our Alpacas and floating downstream with the currents in the main stem. We just had to get there. This photo by @firstcast is from day 3 or 4, mileage in the high 20’s or so. The bushwhacking days all kind of blurred together in the kaleidoscope of green below the canopy of old growth. Each step took immense concentration. If one of us even sprained an ankle, the trip would be over and the rescue a nightmare. We moved through the length of the Unuk watershed last summer in an effort to document a seldom known river in BC/SE AK while bring some much needed awareness for Transboundary Rivers. Ryan put together a great short film on the issue of Transboundary Rivers and you can check the link in my profile — XBoundary. The Transboundary River issue needs all the love we can bring to it. Huge thanks to @Patagonia Environmental grants for covering costs. Stay tuned for a few more pics. Thanks @Patagonia, Alpaca, @TroutUnlimited, @msr_gear @seatosummitgear A photo posted by Travis Rummel (@travisrummel) on Apr 8, 2015 at 10:33am PDT

Ueli Steck – @uelisteck

Point Lachenal A photo posted by Ueli Steck (@uelisteck) on Jun 10, 2015 at 5:32am PDT

Will Gadd – @realwillgadd

Today was really hot, and when it’s really hot I like to think back to really cold experiences like this, the FA of Overhead Hazard with @huens, @pikarocks @johnfreeman, @christianpondella @pablo_durana, @reelwater, @helikelsey and a great crew! It was the coldest I’ve ever been in my life, and a deep experience in many ways. Very thankful to everyone there: we suffered, sent, and made a great film together. Anyone who climbs there is marked for life by Helmcken Falls, it is another level of winter climbing for sure, nothing else comes close. Everything about the place is as lethal as it is inspiring, and the combination just leads to intense experiences. When I’m frozen cold in winter I like to think about hot summer days like today, and today I had a flashback to Helmcken as I sweated. Must store the heat for cold winter belays.. . A big thanks to @timemmett too, the first trips were magic! @redbullcanada @arcteryx @blackdiamond @scarpana @sterlingropes #frozentitans #hypothermia @christianpondella photo of course. #brokemyfingerandalmostdied. A photo posted by Will Gadd (@realwillgadd) on May 23, 2015 at 6:05pm PDT