EXTREME PHOTOS..." national geo. "

Sunset Highlining Near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Photograph by Tim Kemple

"Climbing, and life in general, in Brazil was totally mind-blowing—the relaxed culture, varied climbing objectives, and an inspiring landscape that combines jungle, mountain, and ocean," says climber-artist Renan Ozturk of this trip to film a documentary about Brazilian friend who died—and to capture the adventures of her homeland. Here, Ozturk carefully makes his way across a highline at Gavea Stone, overlooking the glittering lights of Rio di Janeiro. "This was a scary moment to capture on film because I had to mount the line in the dark over the void and then keep my balance in the strong wind as my good friend Tim popped a huge flash in my face. It was a great adventure."

Climbing the Arch of Bishekele, Ennedi Desert, Chad

Photograph by Jimmy Chin, Fame Pictures

"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."