In Sidetracked Volume 20 we present the finest stories of adventure from around the world – stories of tenacity, resilience, heartbreaking beauty, and the very pinnacle of human achievement.

Hannes Becker finds reconnection in a land of big skies, rugged coasts, and warm hearts. Nimsdai Purja defies expectations to summit K2 in winter with an all-Nepali team. On the Mentawai Islands, Iñigo Grasset glimpses a way of life completely untouched by the pandemic sweeping the world whilst Sofía Mejía Llamas finds silence on skis in Japan. In Peru, Fredrika Ek hallucinates while trying to ride a high-altitude pass whilst, Peter Mather's five-year quest to photograph the legendary Ice Bears of the Yukon is an adventure of a different kind – one of patience, diligence, and respect.

We climb high peaks, soar above deserts, witness the aurora, push ourselves to the limits of endurance, and seek mythical creatures in this very special issue of Sidetracked.