Why do people expose themselves to such powerful and life-changing risk? In those moments, when life hangs in the balance, when limits are reached and even exceeded, when the border between what we believe is possible and what lies beyond is tested, great things can happen. We evolve. We are inspired. But we can also suffer heart-rending loss. Is it worth it?

Life has risks. Our natural inclination is to avoid those risks, but adventure pushes mental and physical boundaries by embracing risk passionately and unhesitatingly. In this issue we examine risk versus reward, risk management and the positive and negative impact of taking risks during adventures and expeditions.