Ultrarunning
We sifted through the adventure photo portfolio to bring you our favourite pics from 2016.
We’ve had a lot of phenomenal images come across our desks over the last 365 days – so many we couldn’t even count to give you a grand total. So when it came down to choosing out top shots, it proved to not be an easy task; there was quite a bit of humming and hawing, especially since the photo contest to end all photo contests was on in 2016: Red Bull Illume. But after many hours pacing back and forth, nearly wearing a hole in the floor, we finally made our decision. So without further adieu, we present, the best adventure images from 2016.
Ryan Sandes running the ridgeline in Chamonix
Why it's our favourite: If this image doesn't make you want to throw on your running shoes and get lost running in the wild like Ryan, well maybe you should just stare at this image for a few minutes. Everything about this moment, from the leap to the mountains it is just perfection.
Jason Paul’s grand entrance into a jet plane
Why it's our favourite: Pretty sure if we tried to leap into a plane we'd end up looking like a little bug splattered on the window. Jason on the other hand, makes it look easy. And Jaanus Ree's photo of this moment is pretty neat too.
Swing high, swing low
Why it's our favourite: Where do you even start about MegaSwing? For starters it was an incredible project. But then once you start thinking about it, it's pretty crazy that this image could even be possible – but hey, it's 2016 and anything is possible these days.
Don’t look down...
Why it's our favourite: From Red Bull TV's hit show, Urbex, this killer POV is a jaw-dropper... and a heart stopper. One look at this incredible shot and you'll be gripping your seat without even realising it.
Adam Stern and a sand waterfall
Why it's our favourite: Stern is an incredible diver, and the beauty of the underwater sandfall takes the cake. “I’ve never seen this anywhere else in the world,” underwater filmmaker (and photographer) Daan Verhoeven said.
Flying into the sun with his mates
Why it's our favourite: Dan Vojtěch's stunning image of the Red Bull Flying Bulls will stop you in your tracks. Not only is it a head turner but it is probably one of the coolest flight photo you'll ever see.
Sasha rocks
Sasha DiGiulian had quite the year. She graduated from university (Columbia) and she put herself into unreal locations, including this one in Thailand. And if this photo doesn't make you want to start climbing yourself, it will at least give you some incredible vertigo.
It’s all about that wave
Why it's our favourite: We know Jaws gets big, but this wave, with that little, itty-bitty windsurfer (holding on for dear life), is shockingly enormous. What sets this image above the rest is that you can pretty much hear the deafening noise of the freight train steaming behind the windsurfer.
Stefan Glowacz just keeps going... and going...
Why it's our favourite: Stephen Glowacz's adventure to Baffin Island was not just about the destination, it was also about the adventure to get there. Carrying over 100kg on sleds across melting and shifting sea ice on Baffin Island, it took Glowacz and his crew 28 days to complete their journey.
High fives whilst watching lava
Why it's our favourite: There's nothing more awesome than watching something epic with your closest mates especially after a serious exploration into a volcano. And, there's nothing more awesome than feeling really tiny on Earth. Combine the two and you've got the perfect recipe for success.
Standing on the edge of the world
Why it's our favourite: David Lama is pretty well known for pushing the limits and offering the world insane POV views of his alpine ascents, but his latest climb, together with Hansjörg Auer and Alex Blümel, and this shot from it, is one for the books.
Just a casual kite with several of your closest friends
Why it's our favourite: 333 riders battled it out to be #1 in this year's Ragnarok over Norway's snowy hills. With a combination of crazy winds, a wicked long course and a top secret location, you saw some pretty cool images come through the wire. Like this one from Daniel Tengs. We love it even more because it shows the sheer insanity of the race.
‘The Kid’ knows a thing or two about slacking
Why it's our favourite: There's nothing like a good slackline world record, but slacklining at altitude showed us all that a record like this would mean beautiful images too. The image really puts this whole record into perspective and therefore it's made our top pics.
We all love a good storm
Why it's our favourite: An image like this doesn't come across your desk often – actually, ever. That's because jump zones usually shut down with the threat of a storm. But Sean MacCormac clearly loves to live on the edge a bit (and a good lightening storm) and decided to charge it anyways.
3...2...1... 2017!
Why it's our favourite: There's no better way to start 2017 than with a bang... or a boat that also doubles as a rocket ship. More so, there's nothing like being launched off the back of said rocketship boat at mach-speed and Ricardo Pinto has captured that beautiful moment perfectly.
