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
Bangladesh, Dacca Dockworkers, 1983 - This photograph was taken at the docks in Dacca, Bangladesh. The hardship of these workers' lives was apparent by their clothing, dusty from sacks of flour that they were carrying.
CAR, Pygmy Woman With Sharpened Teeth, 2000 - Everyone has their idea of beauty. For these pygmy women from Bayanga, it is sharpened teeth. 
Latvia, Jelgava City Province, Orthodox Church -
Estonia, L??nemaa Prov, Tower -
Greenland, Constable Pynt, View From Plateau, 2006 - When we flew into Constable Pynt from Rekjavik, Iceland, I was surprised that it looked more like a desert than what I'd expected Greenland to be. In fact, this is an arid area, yet still, as the mountains across the channel show, covered in snow much of the time. The village of Illoqqqortoormiut (Scoresbysund) is reachable by an hour and a half away by speedboat.
Grandmothers, 1996 Romania, Transylvania - 6x6cm film
Nepal, Ama Dablam, 1983 - Ama Dablam is said to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It was on the back of the Nepali one rupee note. I met a man who had just climbed this peak, a difficult climb at that. He had slipped and saved his life by reaching out and grabbing a rock on his way down. I asked him why he risked his life. His reply stuck with me to this day. He said that after an experience like that, his life was worth ten times more. Many years later I was able to have a similar sensation. Risking my life on Everest was like going through a portal into a new reality. Life is not always about being safe. Doing things without a "safety net" could be a growth experience. This is not only true about climbing. This principle can be applied to daily life and to emotional experience, like allowing oneself to fall in love.
Thailand, Pathum Thani Prov, Building
Lhotse, 1983
Nepal, Bagmati Province (Zone), Solo Khumbu - 35mm Kodachrome film
Lhotse, as visible from the Solo Khumbu Valley. Everest is the mountain to its left in the back, appearing smaller than Lhotse because it is more distant. It is unclear to me whether the enormous face of Lhotse shown in this photograph has ever been climbed.
Myanmar, Magway Prov, Magway Temple Figures