EXTREME PHOTO OF THE WEEK

EXTREME PHOTO OF THE WEEK
By National Geographic

The following are selected photos and synopsis of each one from the National Geographic Extreme Photo of the Week. For full description and more stunning extreme photo, click the aforementioned source link.

1. Highlining at Cathedral Peak, Yosemite, California

This shot is just one spectacular scene from "The Man Who Can Fly," an episode of Explorer airing Sunday, February 12,  at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel (see a photo gallery). The show captures BASE jumper and wing suit flyer Dean Potter's quest for true human flight, with first feats in free soloing and wing suit flying in Yosemite, California, and British Columbia, Canada. The episode examines Potter's unique blend of daring, determination, and pursuit of the unknown. Photograph by Mikey Schaefer.

2. Sidecountry Skiing Mount Baker, Washington

"Shoot, I can't really spot my landing because there is so much slough [snow] moving with me, I hope I stick it!" thought Elyse Saugstad while skiing the sidecountry at Washington's Mount Baker Ski Area. The Olympic Valley, California-based skier was hucking a 20-foot cliff during a weeklong Mount Baker shoot with phenomenal snow conditions for Salomon Freeski TV's "Pacific Northwest Road Trip" (watch the video). Photograph by Grant Gunderson.

3. Big-Wave Surfing Jaws, Maui, Hawaii

On January 4, 2012, at the famed Hawaiian break Jaws, photographer Zak Noyle captured some of the world's best surfers, including Ian Walsh, Shane Dorian, Mark Healey, and Maui standout Kai Lenny (pictured), paddling to catch the enormous waves. "There was a lot of excitement in the air and many nervous surfers,” recalls Noyle. “These are some of the most extreme surfers at the forefront of big-wave paddle surfing. They were all nervous, but ready.” Photograph by Zak Noyle, A-Frame.

4. Highlining the Trollveggen, Norway

"This was a very cool moment because I've been into highlining for a relatively long time compared to Alexander, and he's already better than me. It was like passing the torch," says Frenchman Julien Millot (right), who was on the shorter, "easier" line. He and German Alexander Lauterbach, both avid adrenaline seekers, are seen walking toward Troll Wall, or Trollveggen, the tallest cliff in Europe at 3,600 feet. This was the first time anyone had highlined in this spot overlooking the stunning Romsdalen Valley in northwestern Norway. Though both men are roped up to the line, that's not always the case. "When we fall, we either catch the line, fall on the harness, or sometimes we go BASE jumping - don't forget to wear your parachute rig!" Photograph by Brano Beliancin.

5. Free Climbing Century Crack, Canyonlands, Utah

"You climb upside down with your legs inverted inside the crack above your head the whole way," says British rock climber Pete Whittaker about completing the first free climb of Century Crack, the longest and hardest known roof crack climb in the world, in October 2011. Here he is seen upside down 200 feet above the floor of the canyon near the White Rim in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Photograph by Alex Ekins.

6. Heli-Skiing Rogers Pass, British Columbia, Canada

"I just let my skis guide me," says Canadian big-mountain skier Leah Evans of threading through pine, hemlock, and cedar trees while backcountry skiing Rogers Pass outside of Golden, British Columbia. "I grew up tree skiing at Red Mountain Resort, so I'm very comfortable navigating in the trees," says Evans, who started Girls Do Ski, an initiative to get more young women on the slopes with special ski camps. Her next competition is the International Freeskiers Association World Tour, which kicks off in January 2012 from her home turf in nearby Revelstoke. Photograph by Jordan Manley.

7. Rappelling into the Black Hole of Calcutta, Blue Mountains, Australia

“It feels like being swallowed by the Earth,” says photographer Carsten Peter of the first of three rappels into the Black Hole of Calcutta in Claustral Canyon, located in Australia's Blue Mountains. Experienced canyoneers avoid it after heavy rains. “The immense power of the maelstrom is responsible for the wide, rounded shape. I liked the transition from dim daylight (ferns on top) into the darkness.” Photograph by Carsten Peter, National Geographic.

8. Surfing the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

"I was just hugging the face of the wave waiting for it to barrel," says pro surfer Bruce Irons, who was willing to give his pal Sam McIntosh's "flare surfing" idea a try off Indonesia's Mentawai Islands. Photograph by Jason Kenworthy, A-Frame.

9. BASE Jumping Utah's Ancient Art

"At this very moment, the thinking is over and your mind is in 'enjoy' mode," says climber Mario Richard (center) of two-way BASE jumping with Steph Davis (lower center) off the Corkscrew summit of Ancient Art at Fisher Towers near Moab, Utah. "It’s time to take in some amazing visuals and savor the fruits of all the efforts it took to get there." The pair free climbed three short pitches and one long one to get to the narrow summit of this iconic desert tower recognized by most rock climbers. Screen capture by Keith Ladzinski. Get Wallpaper.

10. Deepwater Soloing Poda Island, Thailand

"Deepwater soloing provides the perfect combination of adventure and serenity," says Jessa Younker of climbing the stalactites hanging from a giant limestone cliff on Poda Island, Thailand. "Without a rope or harness to distract, I can purely focus on how to make the next move on the natural features." With this style of rock climbing, a fall is followed by a splash: "Sometimes my hand would slip off the wet rock and send me free falling through the air. Then I would be engulfed in the warmth of the Andaman Sea, swimming towards the surface, watching the sun dance across the gentle waves." Photograph by David Clifford. Get Wallpaper.

11. Paragliding Bazaruto Island, Mozambique

"Flying a site like this is like having an out-of-body experience," says Gavin McClurg of paragliding above the shape-shifting sand dunes on 20-mile-long Bazaruto Island. "You are looking out at the Indian Ocean's turquoise waters churning endlessly from one huge lagoon at high tide to massive sand islands and rivers at low." And they had the added rush of being the first to paraglide there. Seasoned adventurer McClurg and photographer Jody MacDonald found this spot while sailing the world to kiteboard, surf, and paraglide where no one has done so before on an expedition they call "The Best Odyssey." "There was no sign of people - just serene beauty in every direction," says McClurg. "And you're flying above soft sand, so no helmet or shoes were even necessary! Rarely is paragliding so stress-free and just pure fun." Photograph by Jody MacDonald.

12. Climbing Near Squamish, British Columbia, Canada

"Being in this crack was surprisingly secure - when I was not moving," says climbing guide John Furneaux of tackling Public Image, a 4-pitch route on the North Walls of the Stawamus Chief. "Whenever I tried to make upward progress it felt like I might be spit out into the abyss at any moment." The tight squeeze afforded amazing views of giant old-growth cedar and douglas fir trees and Squamish, British Columbia, a gateway to world-class climbing, whitewater paddling, wind sports, and mountain biking. "As much as I hate to give away my secret playground," comments Furneaux, "I have to say that if people are looking for adventure, Squamish is truly the destination they should visit." Photograph by Paul Bride. Get Wallpaper.

13. Climbing the Arch of Bishekele, Ennedi Desert, Chad

"Fifteen feet above me was the top of the most incredible piece of rock I had ever seen," says climber James Pearson of ascending the 180-foot Arch of Bishekele in Chad's Ennedi Desert. Traveling for more than 10,000 miles over four days, a team of all-star climbers - including Jimmy Chin, Alex Honnold, Renan Ozturk, and Pearson - became the first to scale the arid sandstone stacks and sheer walls of this remote desert. "The climbing looked harder than below, but my gut told me to try, and after five very tense minutes I arrived on top of my wildest summit yet," recalls Pearson. "As my eyes took in the vista, I realized I was the first human ever to see this view." Photograph by Jimmy Chin, Fame Pictures.

14. Biking South Africa's Table Mountain

"Riding on top of Table Mountain was something I had to do," says professional mountain biker Kenny Belaey. "The landscape is just perfect for trials—but I had to be really careful." Belaey pulled out every daredevil trick imaginable, from wheelies to bunny hops, to explore the famous 3,559-foot flat-top sandstone mountain overlooking Cape Town. To reach the top at sunrise, he hiked through the night, carrying his 20-pound bike on his back. Photograph by Nick Muzik, Caters News Agency. Get Wallpaper.

15. Kayaking Nepal's Upper Seti River

"Nepal's Upper Seti Canyon is one of the most beautiful places I've been," says kayaker-filmmaker Josh Neilson of this exploratory expedition to run a rarely accessed steep section high up on Seti River. "You'd think your heart would be racing at the lip of a drop like this, but it's just the opposite," says Neilson. "The rushing water is silenced by concentration, and time almost stands still." Photograph by Tim Ripper, My Shot.

16. Ice Climbing in Eidfjord, Norway

"It felt like climbing a chandelier," says world-renowned ice climber Will Gadd of completing the first ascent of 650-foot Skrikjofossen during a frigid February in Eidfjord, Norway. "This was, by far, the most difficult frozen waterfall I had ever climbed—or plan to." But for Gadd, the opportunity to explore the caves behind frozen waterfalls makes the risk worth it. "The mix of light, atmosphere, and the temporary nature of these jeweled rooms inspires awe." Gadd's route has not seen a second ascent. Photograph by Christian Pondella, Red Bull Content Pool.

17. Kayaking La Paz Falls, Costa Rica

Professional kayaker Pat Keller plunges over 120-foot La Paz Falls in the central highlands of Costa Rica. Keller survived the extreme drop - though he broke his right hand. Photograph by Lucas Gilman.

18. Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge

Competitors in the 2010 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge trek across the desert during the six-day endurance race. Racers began with a triathlon-style prologue in Abu Dhabi city, then traveled by bus to Al Ain, where they confronted the Jebel Hafeet mountain range. Next they hiked across the Rub al Khali desert before ending the challenge with a sea kayaking leg. Photograph by Monica Dalmasso, Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.

19. BASE Jumping, Utah

A Red Bull Air Force Team member BASE jumps off a cliff in southwestern Utah. The extra fabric in the wing suits creates lift allowing the jumper to "fly." Parachutes aid in a safe landing. Photograph by Michael Clark, Red Bull Content Pool.

20. Annapurna Trail, Nepal

A snow-covered peak dwarfs a climber on Thorung La, a 17,769-foot pass in the Annapurna range of the Himalaya. The pass poses the most difficult challenge along the Annapurna trail, a circuit that draws mountaineers from around the globe. Photograph and caption by Helmut Zhang, My Shot. Get Wallpaper.