Chris Brinlee Jr
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Chris Brinlee Jr
Professional Problem Solver
 
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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

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Projects

“Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress: Working hard for something we love is called passion.”


― Simon Sinek

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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.

 
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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Chris’s Journal

Chris’s personal stories from the globe, useful how-to guides, and more.

Featured
The beginner's guide to ski mountaineering
The beginner's guide to ski mountaineering

Everything that you need to know to learn how to become a ski mountaineer.

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Every Day is a Journey
Every Day is a Journey

Reflections on the personal costs of adventure travel and spending Christmas in a foreign land

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Achieving Himalayan Ecstasy
Achieving Himalayan Ecstasy

A brutally honest account of my first Himalayan climb — an attempt on the 20,305' Imja Tse — more popularly known as Island Peak. While it's a baby by Himalayan standards only a few other points on earth outside of Asia reach a higher altitude

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A Journey Through Forgotten Lands
A Journey Through Forgotten Lands

Retracing the steps of Sir Edmund Hillary through the Nepalese countryside to the base of Mt. Everest

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Reflections From a Blue Lagoon
Reflections From a Blue Lagoon

Finding a "transformative experience" after a plunge in one of Iceland's famous sulfur hot springs

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The Time That Iceland Almost Killed Me
The Time That Iceland Almost Killed Me

They say that if you don't like the weather in Iceland, wait five minutes and it'll change. Multiply that by mountains, glaciers and volcanoes and you've got a recipe for adventure. Or a close encounter of the near death kind.

Read More →

 

 

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Features

Sometimes, people tell stories about Chris, too.

The Escape: Chris Brinlee, Jr.

\\\ Cotopaxi

Quitting the 9-to-5 for a Life of Adventure

\\\ Dispatch Radio

LIsten now >

Tips for Protecting Camera Gear

\\\ Carryology

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Pack Like a Pro: Adventure Photographer Chris Brinlee, Jr.

\\\ Gear Institute

Read Now >

Paragliding Big Sur

\\\ Weather Channel

READ NOW >

Adventure IG Accounts That Will Make You Want to Quit Your Day Job

\\\ The Red Bulletin

Read Now >

Chris Brinlee, Jr. Quit the Cubicle & Never Looked Back

\\\ The Manual

Read Now >

Packing List: Nepal Photography Trip

\\\ Carryology

Read Now >

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Around the World with a Backpack and a Badass Beard

\\\ Adventure Journal

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Mike Horn, Explorer Without Limits

\\\ The Red Bulletin

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All the Gear You Need to Become an Instagram Star

\\\ Outside Online

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Chris Brinlee, Jr: Professional Adventurer

\\\ Switchback Kids

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Rise of the Beard Garden

\\\ Daily Mail

Read Now >

 

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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

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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

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It's been pretty crappy weather almost since arriving in Chamonix, but @thewildindiangirl, @thekiwiapproach, and I have been making the most of it. On our second day here we took the train out to Vallorcine for a bit of multi-pitch sport climbing; we arrived back in town just as the sky fell out. The forecast showed that the 18th would be "partly cloudy" above 3,000m; so we took a gamble on my birthday to see if it'd pan out. What we got instead was total whiteout, 14°F temps, and blasting winds to climb in. Oh, and it was snowing. For the rest of the week, things are looking great across the border though, so we're heading down south to Aosta. "I reckon I speak the most Italian" so I'll do the driving. Stoked for long, moderate multi-pitches in the sunshine; and to introduce Priya to another level of this adventurous vertical world. After that, things clear up in Cham, so Ryan and I are hoping to head into the alpine to send the gnar. So stoked to be in my favorite place in the world!!! (Basically all of the Alps.) I am doing a lot of stories; I'll be doing live steams too, so follow along if you're into that kind of stuff. 📷 2&3: @thewildindiangirl
Admittedly, living in New Zealand last year was pretty tough, and by the time we moved back to the US, I was so over it. D.O.N.E. So it may come as a surprise that I returned less than two months later, with @thewildindiangirl and @gunnerwright1 for another trip. For this one, we did things a bit differently; tt all came down to two wheels. @revit_adventure/@revit_official just posted a blog post from our trip - go check it out if you're interested in a bit more perspective on my time in New Zealand. Link in my profile.
Instagram vs. Reality // Big, meticulously arranged gear layouts are oh-so-aesthetic, but let's be real: carrying all of that shit around through airports, train stations, and busses looks a lot more (and feels) like picture two. When people ask me for travel advice, the number one thing that I always say is to "pack light, because liberation from stuff is the ultimate freedom." I practice it from time to time, but more often than not, I find myself going to places "gear heavy" because I want to do-all-the-sports. And hauling oneself up vertical ice and rock walls requires a bit more equipment than running through the hills with a day pack. I love both and if I neglect one, I tend to regret it - so I pay the consequences (literally and figuratively) to do so. What is one piece of travel advice that you know by heart, but always tend to throw out the window?
I've been giving a lot of thought to fitness and training lately--and the role that it plays in the mountains. Whenever we venture out, we open ourselves up to any number of risks: be it the drive to the trailhead; tripping over a root and twisting an ankle; or getting caught out in a storm. As athletes, adventurers, explorers, and weekend warriors - whatever we classify ourselves as - we must constantly identify and mitigate potential risks. We can't control external factors: there will always be distracted drivers. Storms can pop up with little notice. Rockfall and other mountain hazards are inevitable. But fortunately, we can control our own preparedness. Being able to mitigate risk through effecient, sustained movement is absolutely invaluable in the mountains - whether climbing, ski touring, or even backpacking; the best way to develop that requisite fitness is through dedicated training. It doesn't take long - an hour a day for eight weeks can make all the difference for your summer objectives. Fortunately for us, my coaches at @summationathletics have training down to a science; they're going to give away an 8-week custom training plan that's tailored for you and your personal mountain objectives. For a chance to win, like this photo, comment what your most desired objective for the summer is, and follow @summationathletics. We'll choose a winner this Friday night. See you out there! #performanceinhighplaces #contest #training #alpinestrong #trainingforthenewalpinism #climbing #mountaineering
When @moonmountainman said that he was going to be in Estes Park and wanted to go for a climb, it was a no-brainer for me. I'm not home in Colorado often, but when I am, there's nothing better than getting out on an alpine mission in Rocky Mountain National Park. After a 2am departure from his condo down the road, and a four-hour approach, we were here: staring down the barrel of a very wintery Blitizen Ridge on Ypsilon Peak. The route itself has been described by many as one of the best ridgeline climbs in the park thanks to its incredible rock, remoteness, and wild setting--and it's usually tackled in the summer. I haven't climbed any other ridges there, but after climbing the major technical difficulties of this one, I can see why. It checks all of the boxes. It's hard to believe that it's possible to be climbing here with just four hours' effort from town; it kind of makes me want to stick around town more often. If you're curious to see more, check out the stories that we've both posted. #mountaineering #mountainman #alpineclimbing #rmnp #blitizenridge
I've been dreaming of returning to this place since the day I left it; almost two years away has been far too long. Just two weeks now until @thewildindiangirl and I depart for the Alps. Can't wait to show her the place that feels most like home to me - and to get after some objectives that I'm really excited about! Do you want to visit the Alps? Where do you want to go and what do you want to do? #chamonix #alps #Alpinism #climbing
On this past trip to Mexico, I spent more nights in a tent sleeping under the stars than I did for the entire time that @thewildindiangirl and I lived in New Zealand. Sad, but true. That's not to say that we didn't get outside and into the mountains often (we did) but most of the time we utilized NZ's vast network of huts. This is not to say that I don't like mountain huts (I do, though I prefer the fully catered kind, like in Europe,) but there is just something so fulfilling about sleeping on the ground. Especially when it is multiple days in a row. Priya and I are heading to the Alps in a few weeks, where we'll spend the summer - and a lot of our adventures will be based out of huts, but I am so looking forward to balancing that out with nights on the ground. Where do you want to #sleepinthedirt this summer?
The river was low flow when we paddled it; on the first day, I dragged ass--or dragged my boat through every single rapid. Both because of the lack of water pumping through, and the excessive weight that rested atop my bow. It was maddening. By the last day though, the river had gained a significant amount of volume from other sources flowing in; some actual hydraulics began to happen. My bow was still laden with gear and I swam on almost every single rapid, but every once in a while I'd have the chance to ditch my bag and paddle a line of bliss. This was one of those times. It was pretty amazing over all to take our time and travel slowly down the river--close to eight days in all, but how badly I want to return in the high flow and blast through it all 🛶🙌🏼 📷: @thewildindiangirl #thisispackrafting #packrafting #mexico #whitewater
And every once in a while you stumble upon a place that is wilder than you could possibly imagine... As most of you know, I dedicate most of my adventurous pursuits to the mountains. While those experiences are almost always rewarding, by the nature of the terrain and the way you move through it, you can almost always see what is coming next; sometimes for days at a time. The magic of a canyon, however, is that you are constantly moving at the whim of the bend; each one holds a surprise. I think that is one of the big reasons why this trip left me truly mesmerized. I had no idea what was waiting around each corner; each bend proceeded to blow me away. When is the last time that a place made you feel this way? So grateful to @alpacka_raft for enabling this type of exploration. #thisispackrafting #canyon #mexico #justaroundtyeriverbend
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