The picture is me epically failing to wake board. Just another reminder to myself that I am not really that hard core. I can only imagine that National Geographic’s adventures of the year would get up on that wake board and show me what’s what. Of course none of them are on the list for anything as simple as wake boarding. They’re all getting lost in the arctic, surfing 45 foot waves waves, fixing telescopes in zero gravity, and facing down the Taliban to teach kids in Afghanistan. They are, in a word, awesome.

So check out the top ten and vote for who you think really is the adventurer of the year.

World in Focus, the biggest and best photo context of the year, is into full swing. The drawback is that it costs $12 to enter the contest, but the prizes include trips to Tanzania and St. Lucia, so I think it’s worth a shot. Also, I think winning the competition is anyone’s game, as I was very surprised by last year’s winner.

You can enter the contest here.

Photo: one that I’m thinking of submitting. It’s one of a couple of different pictures from Morocco that I like, but I’m indecisive when it comes to choices like this.

National Geographic is running a sweepstakes for free trips to Ecuador. All you’ve got to do is sign up for their mailing list, and, unfortunately, live in the US. So all you Americans, have at it.

The photo above by Geoff Pingree is the grand prize winner of National Geographic Travel’s photo competition. I’m a little shocked. Really? The best photo? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good picture. Congratulations to Geoff and all that, but I don’t think this is even this best picture that made it into the finals.

Check out this one by Bernardo Carvalho:

If you ask me that’s a much better picture. Though, maybe that’s why I’m not a judge in the photo contest. In any case, It’s well worth checking out all the finalists and prize winners. And then think about what picture you’ll be entering next year. It’s worth a shot.

NG Adventure Blog just put up the complete Laurence Gonzales that I mentioned earlier this week (gah, was that yesterday? Time flies). Head on over and check it out, it’s fairly short and well worth the read.