Chris Brinlee, Jr. is a Problem Solver.
In 2014, however, Chris realized that the only problems that should be solved in a cube were Rubik’s, so he left his behind to seek something more.
Chris's journey has led him to the furthest and most remote reaches of the globe: He's paddled fjords in Eastern Greenland in search of un-climbed alpine rock; summited 6,000m peaks in Nepal; sailed to Antarctica with Mike Horn; ridden a motorcycle across Vietnam; and crossed New Zealand's Southern Alps using skis and a packraft.
Each of those projects was realized as the result of problem solving: from the development of big ideas; to their execution through meticulous attention to complex details in a logistical sense; to the creation and launch of supporting content campaigns designed to connect and engage with a global audience through the use of influencer marketing, PR, and editorial outlets.
Chris’s exhaustive range of capabilities: creative direction; producing; photography; writing; video direction and editing; interactive and traditional design; and influencer marketing—as well as the insights and inspiration that he has drawn from his illustrious adventure career—make him a true force to be reckoned with. No project is out of his depth.
Additionally, as an editorial contributor for publications such as Outside, The Red Bulletin, LUXURY, Wilderness, Huckberry, and Gizmodo—Chris’s words, photos, and videos have inspired millions; his strong presence on social media provide periodic doses of inspiration.
Home Base: Front Range, CO | Age: 30 | Favorite Season: Autumn
Projects
“Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress: Working hard for something we love is called passion.”
― Simon Sinek
Expanded Perspectives
In September 2018, Chris and team set out on a multi-sport expedition to cross New Zealand's rugged Southern Alps. Technical mountaineering enabled exploration of the vertical realm; packrafts enabled the discovery of expanded lateral perspectives; and ski touring connected the two together creating perspectives that were as wide as they were tall—revealing the relationship between mountains, glaciers, and rivers; and how those realms connect us all.
Stepping Out: A Celebration of Discomfort
In March 2017, Chris and his partner Christian Lanley set out on a campaign to #CelebrateDiscomfort through a series of epic adventures in Alberta. How far did they go? Find out.
Pole 2 Pole: An Expedition to Antarctica
In November 2016, Chris flew approximately 11,000 miles over the course of four days from an assignment in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Cape Town, South Africa, where he rendezvoused with Mike Horn to embark on what would be a seven week sailing journey to the world's southernmost continent.
Zee Alps
Upon arriving in Chamonix, one will immediately come to realize why that particular village is the birthplace of Alpinism. Chamonix is a place where language is not defined vocalized communication, but rather by a mutual understanding of what each person seeks: a connection with the mountains.
It would make sense then, that an epic campaign through the European Alps should begin there; and that partnerships be forged there.
Edge of the Earth: Discovering the Remote Reaches of Eastern Greenland
There are few wild place left in the world. Eastern Greenland is one of them. In August 2017, Chris and his friend Andrew Yasso set out in search of adventure - paddling 100 miles through a remote fjord system in search of climbable rock and first ascents.
Photography
Photography and adventure are inherently linked—the essence of each is discovering new perspectives. Both of the world, and within.
Alpinism
Noun. Oftentimes used synonymously with "mountaineering," but implies climbing routes with minimal equipment in high and often snow and ice-covered mountains such as the Alps, where technical difficulties frequently exceed environmental and physical challenges.
Adventure
Noun. A: An undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks. B: An exciting or remarkable experience.
Travel
Noun. The act of traveling; journeying, especially to distant places.
Impact
Verb. To have an impact or effect on; influence; alter.
Chris’s Journal
Chris’s personal stories from the globe, useful how-to guides, and more.
Featured
Features
Sometimes, people tell stories about Chris, too.
The Escape: Chris Brinlee, Jr.
\\\ Cotopaxi
Clients
Commercial
Honda
GoPro
Eddie Bauer
Icebreaker NZ
OtterBox
GNARBOX
Favre-Leuba
Alpacka Raft
Salewa
Cotopaxi
LifeStraw
Revo
Mike Horn x Mercedes
Oru Kayak
BioLite
Tourism
Travel Alberta
Visit Greenland
I Love NY
Visit Rapid City
Get in Touch
Interested in partnering on a project? Want to meet up abroad? Have questions about adventure travel? Chris would love to hear from you.
Contact Chris
Follow @chrisbrinleejr on Instagram
![Five years ago, I quit my LA cubicle job and took off on what has been a non-stop journey of adventure, exploration, and personal growth. For the next several days, I'll share some of the most impactful and memorable moments from along the way. // Year 2 // This turned out to be the most insane year. I finally started carving a career out as an adventure storyteller, and learned a ton of new skills. Throughout it all, the people who I shared these experiences with (and so many more that can't be covered in just ten slides) are what made everything so incredible.
1) Shortly after finishing the Alpine Mountaineering Technical Leadership course in the North Cascades, @gopro invited me to attend their Athlete Camp--and simultaneously @travelalberta invited me to go "heli-camping" for a photoshoot with @jimmychin. This was also where I met @cjroam; this trip kicked off a friendship and series of collaborations via his companies @inkwell.media and @roam. Afterwards, spent some personal time with @gilbertogil_. We backpacked, paddled, tried to climb a mountain, and went sport climbing (shown here)--my first "unsupervised leads" which felt like total questing at the time!
2) Immediately after that trip, I returned to Nepal. Climbed another 6,000m peak; taught a storytelling workshop with @james_myron_roh that we concocted with @rpiip; and ventured back up to Langtang, a region whose villages which were destroyed in the earthquake earlier that year. While searching for a place to bivy, these yak herders found me and welcomed me to their tent camp. They had been down valley when the earthquake occurred, and escaped the fate befallen upon more than 100 of their friends and family.
3) Returned home to Arkansas for Christmas that year; took Dad and my siblings backcountry camping for the first time. This was one of my favorite moments with Dad; these were some of my favorite photos of him as well. Wish I made more time to have more moments like these together. [continued in the comments]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53110e74e4b0d7a86d4e9a4f/1567019686703-CQ6GK9MWDXT2GBA9NYCH/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kKmw982fUOZVIQXHUCR1F55Zw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZUJFbgE-7XRK3dMEBRBhUpw5XnxLBmEFHJGf_0qFdDpmIncOw4kq9OpCHNTYqzGO-E1YJr-Thht9Tdog4YtCwrE/image-asset.jpeg)
![I quit my job, five years ago, this past Friday. Despite my inkling of what the future would hold upon walking out of my cubicle at @rpa_advertising for the last time, there's no way that I could have possibly imagined what the experiences that I endeavored upon would entail; actually feel like; or result in. For the next several days, I'm going to share some of the highlights. Here are some from that first year post-cube.
1) After a month of getting battered around Iceland in the Autumn, before it was what it has become today, new friends @thewildnessbrand took us to this once "secret" hot spring. It was the perfect nightcap of adventurous relaxing after one of the most challenging experiences of my life at that time. 📷: @danielbrucelee
2) Stopped by Italy to see a friend en-route to Nepal. Took a day hike in the foothills of the Dolomites, having absolutely no idea that some of the greatest mountains in the world lie just beyond our view. Maybe would have stayed longer, if I actually knew. But alas, it would be three years until I returned to go deep.
3) About six months after climbing my first mountain, Mt. Whitney, I found myself sitting atop the summit of a 6,000m peak. It looked a lot better than I felt.
4) Me, feeling like death, after barely making it up and down Imja Tse. Himalayan mountaineering was no joke, and I was overwhelmed at being alive. I slept the next two days; then walked out of the Khumbu under my own power after that. Big props to my guide LB and my partner DBL for helping me get down after I bonked.
5) Tonsai, Thailand seemed like the perfect post-Himalaya cure. Beaches, flavorful food, and escape from the cold was just what the doctor ordered. Over the next few years, this place would become my post-Nepal habit.
6) @oreyspear came to visit in Thailand, and of course we rented motorbikes. He's still looking for redemption from this spill. Maybe one day soon. [continued in the comments]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53110e74e4b0d7a86d4e9a4f/1566845236307-N8JD5LYB00F24LUZSLUX/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kHem505q6McQd8XRhQc9zkRZw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZUJFbgE-7XRK3dMEBRBhUpxpEURhgSBEh9ILe0HKIG3CcOCklsxWwam3CdWF6Xw7jwVv5P97BEtB5XaVnmvMtTA/image-asset.jpeg)
![One of the greatest experiences of my life was riding a 110cc motorcycle, that set me back a whopping $425 (most of which I reacquired,) for 2,000 miles from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Vietnam for a month, nearly five years ago.
Motorcycles have been engrained into my life since birth. My parents used to haul me to Harley Davidson rallys in Yosemite when I was one-year old. As soon as I could walk, my parents got me a Little Tykes that I affectionately dubbed "mut-mo" because I couldn't pronounce "motorcycle." Dad built us mini-bikes when we moved to Arkansas; upon a family visit in California during my 11th summer, my uncle taught @dillanbrinleesound and me how to ride dirtbikes. We got our own for Christmas two years later; and riding those around our 25 country acres defined the next few years of my life. Then we moved into town and those experiences became nothing more than distant memories.
Eight years later, after graduating college, I struck out West to start my career; and immediately found myself spending 3-4 hours per day commuting to work by bus. For four months, it was sleep, work, bus, eat, repeat. Nothing more. Cars were expensive, and besides, traffic sucked. At least the bus was cheap. But, I wanted to reclaim my hours. Motorcycling revealed itself as the obvious solution. Weather was always great, and I could split lanes. My 4 hour commutes became an hour. Total.
I had discovered a literal time machine; I am certain that incorporating a motorcycle into my life became a sort of salvation that set me upon a totally new trajectory. One that flew at a rocket's pace. Chains were broken. Time was gained. Motivation was discovered. Energy reacquired. Life began to flourish. All because of motorcycling.
Everyone around me though, in car-centric LA, thought that I was literally crazy. Coworkers questioned my means of transportation weekly. But over the course of three years, I rode that Triumph Street Triple for 25,000 miles around the streets of LA; and gained back 100 days--DAYS--counted by hours saved from the bus. [continued in comments]👇🏼](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53110e74e4b0d7a86d4e9a4f/1564785925851-T9QBAU0IQKFFGPB8CMXQ/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kKmw982fUOZVIQXHUCR1F55Zw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZUJFbgE-7XRK3dMEBRBhUpw5XnxLBmEFHJGf_0qFdDpmIncOw4kq9OpCHNTYqzGO-E1YJr-Thht9Tdog4YtCwrE/image-asset.jpeg)
Everything that you need to know to learn how to become a ski mountaineer.