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, Mymensingh Prov, Shop Worker
The Discovery of Stray Dog West, one of the World’s Most Northern Points of Land, North Greenland, 2007
Turkey, Gaziantep Prov, Wagon Ride_Prov,_Flower_Wreath,_2009,_IMG_3513-700x1012.jpg)
UK, Bexley (London) Prov, Flower Wreath
Papua New Guinea, Cassowary Horn, 1983 - This photograph shows the remarkable horn of the cassowary. The cassowary is a large, flightless bird native to New Guinea and surrounding areas. The cassowary kills a number of people every year with its horn.
In the morning before people woke up. Everything is so calm when people are sleeping.
Greece, Santorini, 1987 - When I arrived in Santorini on my way to Africa with my father in 1987, I took off for a long walk. I walked all day, sleeping at a small place along a black beach. I wandered, one of my favorite activities. Why rush through life, being busy, for what? Life's most precious moments are those when we stop and do nothing, allowing ourselves just to soak in the surroundings. I avoided tours with a passion. I also avoided preoccupying myself with dates and names of places. Guidebooks were helpful but sometimes it was better not to "know" anything about a place, but simply to revel in it without purpose.
Antarctica, Jeff Shea Completes the Seven Summits Atop Mount Vinson, 1997 (with flag) - This summit was my completion of the Seven Summits: Climbing the highest mountain on each continent: Asia (Everest), Europe (Elbrus), South America (Aconcagua), North America (Denali), Australia (Kosciusko), Africa (Kilimanjaro) and Antarctica (Mount Vinson). It was so cold that when I pulled my film to load it into the camera, it snapped in two. The Flag was designed by Banner Arts' John Dugger for my project Seven Summits for a Free Tibet. The Dalai Lama wrote a letter of commendation for my project. He later spoke in front of a banner made of this design.
Vietnam, Ha Giang Prov, Dusk Village
Slovenia, Puconci Prov, Milk Men