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
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Beauty
Azerbaijan, Agsu Prov, Apples
Slovenia, Ivancna Gorica Prov, Planting Poles
Bangladesh, Sylhet Prov, Gravel Boat - A means of transporting construction materials.
Slovenia, Brezice Prov, Bridge Stop
Vietnam, Dong Thap Prov, Selling Bags
Norway, Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Skyline, 2007 - The first time I went to Longyearbyen, I came and went without any real understanding of the wonders of Spitsbergen. The second time I went there, I camped by the airport. Even close to town, I learned there was a lot of wildlife. Later, flying over west Svalbard, I was amazed at the stunning landscape, as you can see in other photos in this section. This photograph was taken from near the old mill on the road to the camping site.
USA, Shadow Shaking Hands On Golden Gate Bridge Cable, 1980 - My friend Jeff Clymer and I, at his suggestion, climbed the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco on a clear and still night. We were prepared, bringing ropes and clips. We walked up the cables. In this photograph, we used the fact that the beacon only cast light on the cable periodically. While I held the shutter open, Jeff Clymer held out his hand. Then--when there was no light--he turned his body around and held out his hand in the other direction as the beacon light passed over him again.
Slovenia, Podcetrtek Prov, Slovenian Girl
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.