Jimmy Chin on Everest (c) Jimmy Chin

The North Face is proud to announce that sponsored alpinist and photographer, Jimmy Chin, has been chosen to join 8 other elite explorers in National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers Program. The Emerging Explorers program recognizes and supports uniquely gifted and inspiring adventurers, scientists, photographers and storytellers who are making a significant contribution to world knowledge through exploration while still early in their careers. The new program was designed by the National Geographic Society to help a new generation of visionary explorers realize their potential.

“A key mission of National Geographic over the past 116 years has been to support and chronicle achievements of explorers and sponsor their scientific expeditions. The new Emerging Explorers program will identify and honor outstanding adventurers who are setting out on promising careers. They represent tomorrow’s Edmund Hillarys, Jacques Cousteaus and Dian Fosseys,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president for mission programs.

“We are honored to call Jimmy a member of our athlete team as he embodies the title of “explorer” in its truest sense,” said Steve Rendle, president of The North Face. “Not only does Jimmy seek to push his own limits, but he inspires others to do the same. This mark of distinction bestowed upon him by the National Geographic Society, the authority in timeless geographic exploration, is an honor to The North Face as well.”

Chin is one of ten Emerging Explorers chosen this year. Each will receive an award of $10,000 to assist with their research and aid further exploration. The recipients are selected from the Society’s traditional arenas of anthropology, archaeology, photography, space exploration, sociology, earth sciences, geology, mountaineering, cartography, education, history and beyond to the worlds of art, music and filmmaking.