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
Vietnam, Bac Lieu Prov, Quilt
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.
My diary entry of the day we visited the Tree of Life: We dipped in the lagoon, then dipped in the pool, then showered and went out in the 4WD. We drove to the Saudi border; it was interesting: they wouldn't let us go through. We drove to Riffa, had a delicious lunch of chicken and juice in the back seat of the car, then drove out to find the tree of life. Bahrain is small; the southern part is ransacked by past days and oil field remnants. We found the Tree of Life, the raced back to the hotel. We went to the airport; I had made a mistake on the departure time (and date); we flew first to Ad-Damman, a city 20 mins away by air in Saudi Arabia. They would not allow me to touch my toe on the jet way, one inch outside the plane. They said the Saudis were so strict, that would cause a one day delay for the plane to leave. (Nonsense.) Technically, just landing there counts for the TCC count, but I am not going to count it. We flew on to Amsterdam. The flight was uncomfortable, but towards morning I managed to sleep and to dream.
Thailand, Loei Prov, Northern Highway
Turkey, Malatya Prov, Landscape
UK, Caerphilly Prov, Country Road
Taiwan, Keelung County Prov, Rainy Lights Blur
Vietnam, Vinh Long Prov, Boats
Indonesia, Bengkulu Prov, Beached Boats
UK, Northhamptonshire Prov, Grafitti