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, Yangon Prov, Monk Hin Khaa - This is delicious!
Slovenia, Bloke Prov, Village
Myanmar, Mandalay Prov, Bagan Temple Detail
Slovenia, Majsperk Prov, River House
Syria, Bosra Amphitheatre, 1984 - After visiting Cappadocia in Turkey, I travelled, mostly hitchhiking, down to Bosra in the south of Syria, making a detour to Palmyra on the way. In Bosra, I visited an amphitheater for the first time. The acoustics were impressive.
Slovenia, Vodice Prov, Village And Maypole
Slovenia, Bohinj Prov, Rushing Water
Romania, Generations, 1997 - A few months before I took this photograph I had driven through Romania. I fell in love with Transylvania, with it rolling fields. It seems so suitable for walking, and I yearned to get out of the car. Shortly after I planned a walk. I purchased a used Rolleiflex in Munich. Carrying all my gear in a minimal pack, and toting the camera and a small tripod, I set off on foot from Cluj Napoca and walked by compass point to Brasov. On the way, I stopped to take this photograph of children and their grandmothers, generations apart.
Walking in Transylvania was spectacular. I walked through fields, forests, across streams, always following my compass. The people were friendly.
(6 cm format)
USA, Alaska, Denali, Breaking Camp, 1993 - In 1993 I climbed Denali with Fred Zalokar and Sean Crow, both amazingly fit ultra marathon runners. Of course, they reached the top a day before me! Here, we break camp. You can read about my Denali climb in the Journal section of this website.
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.