In case you missed it, 2015 was rife with extraordinarily adventurous humans pushing the limits of what we believe to be possible. From Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson’s overcoming of Yosemite’s towering Dawn Wall to ultrarunner Scott Jurek’s record-setting Appalachian Trail traverse—and subsequent legal drama for celebrating at the finish—to the dynamic Swiss duo who flew five days across the Pacific powered only by the sun, these are feats that make even the best SoulCycle session feel sadly lacking.
For more than a decade, National Geographic has been allowing readers to vote on their favorite expedition-crushing folk, with the winners receiving the coveted Adventurer of the Year award. Watch the video above to learn more about the adrenaline-fueled exploits that made the grade in 2015, and vote for your favorite by clicking here.
Can’t decide? Personal heroes not getting the love you feel they deserve? Don’t worry. Just like any great adventure, if at first you don’t succeed, come back and try again tomorrow. Voting is open through the end of January, and you can do so once a day.