An adventure that's also part scientific exploration, a group of climbers attempt to descend into an active volcano to get as close as possible to the spitting lava lake. They brave poisonous gasses and 1,093°C (2,000°F) heat climbing into the earth.

Mitu Monteiro, a former world champion kite surfer, attempts to ride to the 12 volcanic islands of his homeland completely solo. It's a challenge he hopes will help unite the people of Cape Verde, but he's never tried anything like this.

Charlie Head attempts to stand up paddle board the Rio Marañón, the Amazon River's main source, a feat that has never been done. It may be his only chance to try, however, as the river is set to be dammed soon. Failure is not an option.

Ben Stookesberry and a group of professional kayakers journey to the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea to attempt a first descent of the Beriman River, a 40km beast lined with sheer limestone walls, with no way out but to ride it to the ocean.

After seeing the magnificent Andean condor ride thermal winds from the sea to the peaks of the Andes, paragliders Hernán Pitocco and Horacio Llorens try to follow the birds on their 3,000km ascent. However, sometimes flying high means falling hard.

Onekotan, a Pacific island with a collapsed volcano at its centre, is one of the most isolated places on earth. The weather is unpredictable, the conditions uninhabitable, and for Matthias Haunholder the draw to ski the foreboding volcano is intense.

The Citadel is a 3,000m peak in the Alaska Range that alpinists Matt Helliker and Jon Bracey are determined to be the first to conquer. But being pioneers means the two must be prepared to face the unknown in their quest to make history.

Cerro Torre, the Patagonian peak that is surrounded by controversy, changed David Lama's life from the moment he tried to climb it. After summiting the peak with assistance, David wants to be the first person to ever free climb the infamous mountain.

An attempt to break the world record for the highest free fall will take Felix Baumgartner 36,500m above the earth and to his absolute mental limit. His team is made up of the best minds in the world, but in the end it's Felix who must take the leap.