Jeff Shea

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

Greenland, Peary Land, Landscape Aerial, 2007 - This photo was taken through the window of a Twin Otter. The landscape, as Dennis Schmitt had described it to me was "like Mars," or otherworldly. You can see the blue melt lake. It amazed me that this was a photo and not a painting. This photo appeared in Esquire in October 2007. (IMG_1514)
Argentina, Jujuy Prov, Jeff Shea After First Eight Nights Across Altiplano, 2010 - In 2012, I walked across the Altiplano of South America, from Socaire, Chile to Paso de Jama, Argentina. The first week took me through a completely desolate area from 10,000 feet to 14,500 feet of elevation. There is no rain here. It is nearly devoid of ground water except for vast salar lakes that are filled with brine that feed one of the only living things: flamingoes. I feared death, as after four days, I was running out of water. I pulled water in a cart, as the 40 liters of water was too much to carry on my back. I finally found brackish ground water, including a salty-tasting stream. I took this photo when I reached Paso De Jama, Argentina, a small windy outpost high up in the Andes. My hands were swollen and blistered from constant exposure to the sun. My lips were also blistered. Two days before this photo was taken, my eyes had large bags under them, presumably from the salty water I’d drunk. From there, I continued on foot, a trip of a total of about 500 kilometers on the ground (but not as the crow flies), terminating in Libertador, Argentina.
UK, Manchester Prov, Downtown
South Sandwich Is, Two Penguins Jumping Up On Iceberg, 2006 - Two chinstrap penguins are in mid-air, while a third swims in the water. The magnificence of their effort can be seen in this photograph, the water droplets trailing from their bodies.
USA, Wake Island, Tern With Fish
Vietnam, Vinh Long Prov, Houseboat -
Slovenia, Zelezniki Prov, Village
UK, Redbridge (London) Prov, Church At Quarter To Seven
Slovenia, Destrnik Prov, Aging Plaster, 2006 - Finding beauty in the ordinary, or even finding beauty in decay....
UK, Rutland Prov, Watering The Plants