Profiles of courage
National Geographic recognized 13 individuals for their achievements in exploration, adventure sports, conservation or humanitarianism in their list of 2014 Adventurers of the Year.
Here are some of the individuals who made NatGeo's list of Adventurers of the Year.
Adam Ondra
Adam Ondra, one of National Geographic's 2014 Adventurers of the Year, is a Czech rock climber who takes climbing to new frontiers of difficulty.
Greg Long
American big-wave surfer Greg Long was selected as one of National Geographic's 2014 Adventurers of the Year.
Amy and Dave Freeman
National Geographic selected Amy and Dave Freeman as two of their 2014 Adventurers of the Year. These American adventurers and educators completed a three-year, 11,647-mile (18,750 kilometers) journey across North America by kayak, canoe, doglsed and foot. In this photo, Amy and Dave Freeman ski across Great Bear Lake in Canada.
Kilian Jornet Burgada
Kilian Jornet Burgada was named one of National Geographic's 2014 Adventurers of the Year. Burgada is a Spanish ultrarunner whose brand of "skyrunning" involves blazing up glaciers, rock ridges and steep snowfields. In this photo, Burgada is climbing the Matternhorn in the Alps.
JP Auclair
Canadian skier JP Auclair is best known for his special style of urban skiing. Auclair was chosen as one of National Geographic's 2014 Adventurers of the Year.
Diana Nyad
Diana Nyad, who was named one of National Geographic's 2014 Adventurers of the Year, became the first person to swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Fla., in September 2013.
