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

Read Now >

All the Gear You Need to Become an Instagram Star

\\\ Outside Online

Read Now >

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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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
I'm dreaming and scheming up something audacious, something absurd. Two wheels and two months on the road; with countless borders blurred. It will be the stupidest/craziest/wildest adventure that I can imagine. Where am I going? And who would be daring enough to join me? #chrisbrinleejrscheming #thenextbigthing
@redbull just released a roundup of 50 top adventures around the world; the eastern Greenland expedition that I embarked on with @yasso1am in 2016 is featured! To this day, it remains one of my all time favorite experiences. Check out the link in my profile to get stoked on it and 49 other rad experiences around the world. #greenland #greenlandpioneer #redbull #givesyouwings
I've been laying in bed coughing my lungs out for the past two days. Everything is sore and I can barely breathe through my nose. I think that the past two months of straight travel have caught up to me. The forced stop is allowing me plenty of time to rest and to daydream, though. I head back to the place that feels most like home in barely more than a month, but @thewildindiangirl is joining me there for the first time. I've got some big goals to tackle while in the Alps: mixed climbs of classic North faces; soloing remote ridgelines of alpine rock; and running through the Dolomites meeting Priya for gelato at stops along the way. For the first time leading up to a trip like this, I'll have trained, with @summationathletics keeping track of my progress and adjusting my schedule for each day. Admittedly sticking to workouts with a crazy travel schedule (and then being sick) has been tough, but that's one of the most valuable aspects of working with a coach who can adapt your training on the fly. I'm greatful to be a part of their team, as I have come to understand the invaluable nature of specific training. If you've got some mountain goals in mind, they're worth looking up, as nothing can prepare you for vertical endurance endeavors like this - their program is as good as they come. Just a month until our flights depart and I want to get back on my feet. Anybody have some natural cold remedies? #summationathletics #mountainstrong #trainingforthenewalpinism #performanceinhighplaces
After 10 days in Mexico and more than a week on the river with the most incredible people, I've returned back to Colorado. Missing most aspects of the trip already, but I'm incredibly excited about the work and road that lie ahead - and what is sure to be my greatest, and most meaningful adventure yet. More on that soon. #thisispackrafting #mexico #riverlife
In the past month, I've transitioned from the dead of winter in Ouray, Colorado to the final vestiges of summer in New Zealand. Forty eight hours after arriving back in the Front Range, I found myself in Québec for the first time, embracing the final days of winter once more - all three trips on assignment. I'm back from Québec now, but on Monday morning I'll be immersed in summer once again, on a packrafting trip in Mexico with great friends. If this schedule sounds exciting, it is. I love every moment of it. And for some weird reason I thrive on the hectic uncertainty of it all. After three straight years of it though, the exhaustion caught up. I think that having a lease and living in a house in New Zealand was a reaction to that. An uncomfortable recovery. Like all recoveries, the eleven months spent almost entirely stationary near the Southern Alps provided perspective. Reminded me of the importance of the pivot. I took that lesson to heart and pivoted upon my return to the States. Slowly, and then all at once before reaching full speed. It feels great to have returned to this near constant state of nomadic affairs. While the work is far from easy, (the past month has been one of my most difficult ones professionally) it's incredibly rewarding and results in great personal growth. When new momentum is gained, however, it will always come at the expense of something else. Energy isn't infinite. That's science. Maintaining a sense of priority when everything becomes a blur is perhaps the most difficult trick. I'm nowhere near to mastering it, but what is life without striving? Have any tips on how to stay afloat? Let's chat about them in the comments.
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