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
Taiwan, Ilan County Prov, Toroko Gorge
Slovenia, Gornji Grad Prov, Farm
India, Jammu and Kashmir Province, Lamayuru, 1999 -
I had just come from Tibet, where my Russian friends and I had driven to the highest point ever driven, (near Yangshaoping, Tibet), 5726 meters. Now I was on the road from Sringar to Leh, probably the most hair-raising I’d ever been on. It was made of dirt and had no barriers around turns where the drop off was seemingly interminable.
October 9, 1999 - written in Leh at the end of the day at an altitude of 3524 metres (11,562 ft) - The route took us through mostly barren territory today, from Kargil to Leh. The highlight of the day was seeing Lamayuru. Ashlem had told me it was like a moon land in 1974 when it opened up. Even today, the aspect of the village and the stupa was remarkable. There, an old poor woman collected shit into her basket, tossing the pieces off the ground backwards. There were stupas where very fine green and purple prayer stones were scattered by the thousands. I took an 8x10 image of them with Lamayuru in the background.
When we returned I discovered that the road to the Sia La (in Pakistan, or is it a no-man's land?) was motorable at least as far as Pamimuk in the Nubra Valley. The Sia La is 6200 meters high. I am still unclear on whether George and I (and Sasha and Sergei) really did go higher than anyone else? I enjoyed making love to Novita tonight more than I have ever before. (And again, and again.)
The village of Lamayuru was picturesque. Just outside the village, the road was lined with prayer stones. These stones were carved by devout Buddhists over the centuries. I was always fascinated how such veritable works of art could remain unmolested by hundreds of years of passersby.
Tibet, Everest, North Face From Rongbuk Base Camp, Fall, 1998 -
This photograph was taken from Rongbuk base camp in the Fall of 1998. It shows the mountain after the monsoons. See other photo on this site in the spring, when the same view is much more rocky. In the center foreground is Changtze. The North Ridge route begins from Rongbuk, winds left around Changtze, then up the North Col. In this scene, the route is hidden from view until it emerges in the left middle of the photograph at about 8000 meters.
Turkey, Zonguldak Prov, Seaside Town
Azerbaijan, Beylaqan Prov, Three Cows
Taiwan, Kaohsiung City Prov, Tug Boat
UK, Powys Prov, Log Cabin
Antarctica, Jeff Shea at South Pole in Globe with Plane, 2001- This is a photograph of myself and the international flags at the South Pole reflected in the marker Globe. In the background is the DC-3 which carried me from Patriot Hills.
Man with Fancy Belt, 1997 Romania, Transylvania - 6x6cm color film