This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2600 of the world’s 3978 provinces, to every country on earth and to the summit of the highest peak on each continent (thank heaven for good weather!). In my travels, I learned to respect the intelligence and ingenuity of people of all races and callings both past and present. Come see the world as I see it: as a peaceful place, full of nature and beauty. With the right spirit and intent, we can make our world a virtual Garden of Eden.
DISTINCTIONS: BBC 2017 Travel Pioneer • Journal Articles • Explorer’s Club Flag Expeditions
World Parks Project • Walk Across South America • Jeff Shea Travel Map
Slovenia, Bled Prov, Clarinetist
Pacific Ocean, Jeff Shea with Mahi Mahi, 1982 - On my voyage across the Pacific Ocean in 1982 in Boysie Day's 41-foot ketch, we used rags, a three-pronged hook and surveyor's tape to catch Mahi Mahi off the stern. As Boysie said repeatedly, "Mahi Mahi is one of the best eating fish there is." In this photograph I hold on to a large Mahi Mahi. Kelly Soma, our cook, fixed it for lunch; Kelly and I fell in love on the boat.
Bangladesh, Dhaka Prov, Fisherman Nets
Taiwan, Ilan County Prov, Dog
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Street Scene
Myanmar, Ayeyarwady Prov, Iced
Azerbaijan, Qobustan Rayon, Landscape
Thailand, Nonthaburi Prov, Temple
Latvia, Ogres Prov, Grafitti Box -
Tibet, Everest Summit, Lhakpa Gelu, Cornice Taken At 8830m, 1995 -
Lhakpa Gelu reached the summit first. I took this photograph of his second ascent of Mount Everest and his first ascent from Tibet. I was standing at about 28950 feet. We all used oxygen that day. But my oxygen bag was often blocked with ice! If you look closely in the lower left quarter quadrant of the photograph, you can see the old summit pole. Because the jet stream drops down on the summit, the cornice rolls over, over time. Once you reach the summit plateau from Tibet, it is a gentle walk to the top of the world. Nevertheless, you cannot let your guard down. Two days after I reached the summit, a climber lost his balance here, slid backwards and upside down and caught his hand on a rock just before plummeting 10,000 feet down the North Face.