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
Lithuania, Klaipedos Prov, Catch -
Switzerland, Appfenzell Innerhoden Prov, Village
Tibet, Everest, View From Base Camp, North East Ridge And West Ridge,1995 -
This is a wider view from Rongbuk Base camp. Mount Everest is in the center. Its West Ridge is on the right of the photograph.
Seram, Gaharubuaya Tree, 2006 - The Gaharabuaya tree grows flowers out of its trunk. I hypothesized that perhaps seeds drop in pockets on its bark but I was assured that from the time it is a sapling, this tree has flowers on its trunk. The Gaharubuaya tree is not to be confused with the Gahurua tree, a different species used for the aroma of its wood. This tree was on the path from Waiputihputih to Roho on the island of Seram.
PH, Misamis Occidental Province, Mohawk, 2008, IMG_1114 - A young man displaying his own version of modern tribalism.
Nepal, Jeff Shea on the Summit of Island Peak, 1983 - In this photograph I revel in the accomplishment of reaching 20,000 feet for the first time. I celebrated by smoking a joint of ganja (marijuana). The truly fantastic thing here is the vast range of peaks behind me.
Thailand, Chachoengsao Prov, Broom Bike
Turkey, Afyon Prov, Landscape
Ireland, Kildare Province, Raven, 2008, IMG_5328 - A raven sits on a branch, silhouetted against a gray sky.
The coldest place I've ever been was on top of Mount Vinson in the sun. There was a breeze. On the way up 'the hill', one crampon became loose. I realized then that there must be climbing deaths attributable to a simple thing like a crampon coming loose. Do you know what it is like to be on a slope in snow and ice with a shoe with no crampon? Fortunately, my climbing partners helped me to get it on again. We went on to the summit. This completed my goal to climb the highest mountain on each continent.