This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2450 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
Slovenia, Cerkno Prov, Door With No Steps
USA, Wake Island, Beach
Latvia, Rigas Prov, Flower -
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.
Laos, Champassak Prov, Brooms
Laos, Xekong Prov, Woman With Pipe And Child
Japan, Street Shrine, 1991
Nepal, Looking Through My Legs on Island Peak, 1983 - This photograph was taken on Island Peak, my first snow and ice climb. It is an easy climb, but this photograph, taken between my legs looking upside down, gives some sensation of what it is like to be climbing on a snow slope. I have noticed many mountaineering photographs are deceiving. Places that are tricky can look easy and vice versa. I was asked at an Everest presentation why it didn't look so difficult. Later I realized that in the more difficult sections, I was less likely to take out my camera.
Slovenia, Idrija Prov, Treescape
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Farmers