Chris Brinlee Jr
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Chris Brinlee Jr
Storyteller | #CelebrateDiscomfort
 
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Chris Brinlee, Jr.

is a Storyteller.

Stories, however, are not best-told from inside the walls of a cubicle, so in August 2014, Chris left his behind—quitting his fancy advertising art director job to go experience something more.

Since then, Chris’s adventures have led him around the globe—he’s paddled remote fjords in Eastern Greenland, ridden motorcycles through Vietnam, sailed with a crew to Antarctica, and climbed 6,000m peaks in Nepal.

Chris is a champion of experiences that challenge himself and others to #CelebrateDiscomfort. These adventures are catalysts for personal growth; the lessons learned from these experiences enable people to tackle the challenges of life, head-on. 

Chris specializes in bringing stories to life for brands through creative direction, photography, writing, and video; as a contributor for publications such as The Red Bulletin, IndefinitelyWild, Outside, Huckberry, and Gizmodo—his words, photos, and videos have inspired millions, while his strong presence on social media provide daily doses of inspiration.

Home Base: Wanaka, NZ | 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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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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Ze 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.

Photography

 

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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

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Paragliding Big Sur

\\\ Weather Channel

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

\\\ The Red Bulletin

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

\\\ The Manual

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Packing List: Nepal Photography Trip

\\\ Carryology

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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

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Partners

These partners help make the magic happen.

 

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Clients

 

Commercial

Honda

GoPro

Icebreaker

OtterBox

GNARBOX

Favre-Leuba

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

Have a story you'd like Chris to tell? Want to meet up abroad? Have questions about adventure travel? He'd love to hear from you.

Contact Chris

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How did you learn about Chris?

Follow @chrisbrinleejr on Instagram

When I decided to move to New Zealand, and actually "settle down" for the first time in my adventure career, part of me expected that every day would be like "Lord of the Rings" - after all, @priya_mareedu and I live only one valley away from Eisengard. The reality of living in one place though, as amazing as it is, is a lot of routine. These cyclical familiarities are mostly self-induced: in the past, I used my hectic travel schedule as an excuse to do everything off-the-couch. One objective would build my base for the next. It worked, and in a few short years I ticked off some dream objectives in the mountains, but my body (and mind) rarely received the recovery that they needed; inevitably, I suffered: mentally, athletically, and professionally. As a product of past cumulative experiences, I have come to realize that my adventure aspirations have grown beyond where I can safely reach them from the comfort of my metaphorical couch; so for the first time in my adventure career, I have begun to train like an athlete: an @uphill_athlete, specifically. Mountaineering endurance is based off an aerobic base; the process of building that base is pretty mundane: for three months I have been I running for an hour and a half around #LakeWanaka, a few times a week, keeping my heart rate below 154. My heart craves for multiple big, long days in the mountains, but I don't allow myself to deviate. So I keep on running, watch what I eat, and live for the weekends when I get five hours of continuous bliss followed by lots of sleep. It's tough sticking to the plan when the mountains behind me beg for attention, but I'll get my fix eventually; when I finally do, I'll be stronger than ever and will take on tougher objectives than I ever have before. When was a time in life that you stuck to the plan to reach long-term goals and maximized gratification? 📷: @priya_mareedu #trainingforthenewalpinism #newzealand #routine
Social media and Instagram in particular can be so incredibly polarizing. On one side, there is a zombie-scrolling timesucker that can lead to FOMO and self-doubt. That's a dark tunnel which leads towards an abyss - you know it; I know it; we've all experienced it in one form or another. On the other side, however, there is an opportunity to share real, meaningful stories and the ability to create profound connections. I met some of my best friends through social media; my life partner through Instagram. People like @briannamadia, @brandoyelavichexplorer, @donnie_vincent, and @melissa_hartwig MOVE with their rawness, vulnerability, and honesty. The world doesn't need more pretty pictures, it needs more of that. Many times when I'm silent, it's because I feel down, isolated, and totally uninspired - so out of my element. It's easy to lament the situation and writhe in self-torment, but in those moments of vulnerability; when I finally work up the courage to share, I am so humbled by the community that I have found here. Your support means the world; and it always has a way of making a dark day brighter. Thanks for that. Here's my promise to you: I'll always share something of value; I'll cut to the truth - the world's got enough bullshit in it already, without me adding filler. I promise to speak my mind; today I renew my vow to talk about all aspects of life, not just the ones that shine. Adventure will be the spark that ignites what this world needs: more real dialog; more hard conversions; more cuts to the chase. Are you with me, amigos? 📷: @priya_mareedu #realtalk
Happy Father's Day to the man who always believed in me, and taught me to never stop pursuing my dreams. Dad got me my first camera; taught me how to waterski, pitch a tent, and make a fire. He showed me that through hard work and determination, anything is possible. I am where I am today largely because of him. You left this earth much too early; there was still so much that I wanted to show you, but I never got the chance. I wrestle with your death almost daily. They say that suicide is selfish and that it's not the way, but I don't blame you for wanting to leave - I know how badly you hurt. I just wish that I made the time to stand with you on a mountain top. Then maybe you could have felt the freedom that your soul desired. I can't change that now, but I will choose to make the most out of life and to never give up the fight. To all of those who still have their fathers, do something special with them; let them know what they mean to you. To those who have lost theirs already - living well will create a legacy.
The Matukituki is one of two major rivers that feeds @lakewanakanz; @priya_mareedu and I have driven alongside of it a dozen times going to and from Mount Aspiring National Park. On every drive, we have been totally enamored by the scenery, but always in a hurry to the degree that we've rarely gotten to appreciate it as much as we would like to. Packrafting that same river, which runs near (but not entirely alongside) the unsealed road allowed us to really slow down and discover a totally new perspective of our backyard here in New Zealand. The water was flowing, fun, and made for an exciting trip, without ever being overwhelming, even for Priya (this was only her second time on a river.) And despite my suffering (or maybe because of) from the cold water (Priya got the drysuit) this four day trip was truly the adventure of a lifetime. @alpacka_raft #thisispackrafting #newzealand
On the final morning of our four day packrafting trip, @priya_mareedu and I woke to see that our camp had been totally frozen over - and soon came to realize that the sun would not reach us until after 11am to thaw things out. This allowed for a slow morning; plenty of time to prepare ourselves mentally for the day ahead: 18 miles of paddling the Matukituki to its meeting point with @lakewanakanz. @hyperlite_mountain_gear #whereverlitetakesyou
A cold, clear night greeted @priya_mareedu and I after a long day of paddling on the East Matukituki; the moon cast its light upon Rob Roy peak and the surrounding Aspiring Alps. Our @hyperlite_mountain_gear UltaMid 2 was the perfect shelter for both of us and all of our gear - a welcomed respite from the adventure's plight. #newzealand #whereverlitetakesyou
The real adventure for me began as soon as Priya and I inflated our @alpacka_raft packrafts and began descent of the East Matukituki (Class III) in winter conditions. Priya got my expedition drysuit; I got a pair of holey @icebreakernz leggings and some thin wool socks. I deal pretty well with the cold; it was mostly alright while dry until we went through the first set of rapids - and until I punched through the Class III and then went for a swim. Priya portaged the big Class III, but paddled all the REST - a huge challenge and accomplishment for her; while the four hours of cold and wet was my ultimate test. #thisispackrafting #newzealand
This is a portrait that I took of @priya_mareedu shortly after we arrived at Aspiring Flats. In it, she displays an intensity of being that I often have the pleasure of seeing firsthand; her strength usually comes out when she is struggling the most. But she never quits. These are the moments when you feel the grimiest, dirtiest, and most beat, but these are the the moments that you are most beautiful to me, Priya, because in them, you are the most empowered version of yourself. I am grateful to share these - and all other - moments with you. Happy birthday, my love. #newzealand #25
After crossing Aspiring Flats, I was too busy drying off and making a fire (oftentimes I play "personal ferry" for @priya_mareedu when the river crossings get too cold) to take any pictures of camp, but we ditched the tent to sleep in the forest under a rock. The next morning we were greeted with the sun's glorious rays, making our backtrack to Junction Flat enjoyable for Priya as much as it was enjoyable for me. #newzealand #aspiringflats