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, Khanh Hoa Prov, Temple
Uganda, Jeff Shea In Hut Ruwenzori Mountains, 1984 - I rest and dry out my boots high up in the Ruwenzori Mountains.
Tibet, Everest And Rongbuk Wide View, 1998 - In the foreground of this photograph is Rongbuk Monastery. In the background is Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain. I first arrived here in 1995 when I climbed Mount Everest. But I returned in 1998 with my Russian friends, including George Kotov, Sasha and Alexey, having driving 10,000 km from St. Petersburg. The following year George led me and others to drive to the highest point ever driven. We reached a point of (5726 meters, or 18787 feet) in Tibet. George drove the final hill.
Philippines, Kalinga Prov, River And Tunnel
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Corn Field
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.
South Georgia, Gritviken, Looking Down From Peak Above Gritviken, 2006 - I had carried my pack to the base of the last buttress on this peak but gave up when I ran into unstable shale. I descended and noticed a gully off to the right. I soon saw the easy way up. I was very late on returning to the ship, but I convinced myself I could get to the top and back down in fifteen minutes. I dropped my pack and tromped up the loose volcanic rock. I crawled through the arch visible in the lower right of the photograph. The last few feet required me to lay down and climb up on my belly, grasping for any hand hold I could find. The wind blew. The harbor and a Zodiac are visible below.
Bangladesh, Sunamganj Prov, Woman
Slovenia, Kungota Prov, Lawnmower
UK, Vale Of Glamorgan Prov, Pier