The small figures of brave men and women pitted against the overwhelming, grand vistas of nature as they charge down snowy slopes, power down rapid waterfalls, leap across dark chasms, or reach for the next handhold on a sheer cliffside. Our frail forms laid bare to the whims of nature.
These startling images were captured – in sequence – for the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2013 and they provide an insight into the skill and fearlessness – and just plain craziness! – these extreme sports enthusiasts possess.
Take a look at a few of these insane images below:
Photographer: Jussi Grznar
Athlete: Mikey Rencz
Location: Whistler, BC,
Photographer: Marco Jörger
Athlete: Marc Paosut
Location: Davos Platz, Switzerland
Photographer: Christian Pondella
Athlete: Brandon Semenuk
Location: Virgin, UT, USA
Photographer: David Carlier
Athlete: Eric Seymour
Location: Mesa Falls, ID, USA
Photographer: Richard Baybutt
Athlete: Dan Clifford
Location: Sheffield, United Kingdom
Photographer: Dan Carr
Athlete: Sammy Carlson
Location: Whistler, BC, Canada
Photographer: Andreas Busslinger
Athlete: Chrigel Maurer
Location: Bachalpsee, Grindelwald-First, Switzerland
Photographer: Andres Valencia
Athlete: Matias Rodriguez
Location: Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia
Photographer: Mike Leeds
Athlete: Evan Garcia
Location: Spirit Falls, Little White Salmon River, WA, USA
Photographer: Graeme Murray
Athlete: Chuck Berry
Location: Wanaka, New Zealand
Photographer: Blotto Gray
Athlete: Jeremy Jones
Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
Photographer: Zakary Noyle
Athlete: Gabriel Medina
Location: Oahu, HI, USA
Photographer: Scott Serfas
Athlete: John Jackson
Location: Aniak, AK, USA
