What started for native Coloradan Pete McBride as an excuse to go off on adventures became a career in photography that would span two decades, 75 countries, and earn him the National Geographic title Adventurer of the Year. In this installment of Adorama TV Spotlight, we learn about the incredible journeys upon which McBride has embarked, and about his passion for documenting and exposing the issues surrounding freshwater.
Pete McBride began his career as a photojournalist, documenting expeditions for the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian, the Nature Conservancy, and working for many more clients, traveling from Mt. Everest to Antarctica. Growing discontent with the limited lifespan of magazine editorials, McBride found that it was the river in his home state--the Colorado River--that inspired McBride to travel 1500 miles by boat, documenting the journey and creating an award-winning book, several documentaries, and co-hosting a program for PBS.
Since then, McBride has documented the Ganges River in India, and completed a 700-mile long hike with his hiking partner and author, Kevin Fedarko, through the Grand Canyon from beginning to end, to explore the challenges our National Parks are facing as the pressure to develop the land for profit increases. His interest in the conservation of freshwater areas has earned him the moniker, "Lorax of Rivers."
No matter what you call Pete McBride, his work--and his passion for getting people thinking and talking about freshwater conservation--speaks for itself.
"Adorama Spolights Pete McBride" and "Why Spelling Might Cost You Clients" two posts above...
oh goodness gracious, hahaha, thanks for the catch, Ignacio!
To clarify one issue Pete raised discussing the Grand Canyon National Park as transversed by the Colorado River, The Navajo Nation Reserve was established in 1884, included land on the upper plateau, almost 40% in distance from Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch. The reference he made regarding the gondola is part of the Navajo Nations Grand Canyon Escalade Development Plan. The Navajo's proposal includes hotels, RV park, Navajo Discovery Center, general store, wastewater treatment plant, etc. As proposed to the Navajo Nation Council, the National Park system has no control over there decision.
Thanks for that additional info, Thomas!
At milepost 211 on the Colorado River thru the Grand Canyon the Hualapai Tribe Reservation begins. The reservation is not part of the Grand Canyon National Park. The Hualapai tribe on their property is where the helicopter pads reside allowing tourist access to Skywalk and their one day floats on the river. Again not controlled by the Grand Canyon National Park system