About Johnathan Esper

"In everyone there is born a spirit of adventure. In some, it is nurtured; in others, it is suppressed."
- Johnathan Esper, 2004

Johnathan on a solo winter hike on the Kepler Range of the South Island of New Zealand

I'm Johnathan Esper, a student, an adventurer, a mountaineer, a photographer. At 23, most would say I have lived a full life, and am blessed to be able to travel and explore as much as I do. And I agree. My passions are the outdoors and wilderness, photography, travel, mountaineering, hiking, kayaking, and extreme snowboarding and mt. biking. The photos you'll see here represent some of the wonderful sights I have witnessed during my many adventures. It is my passion to explore Creation, to marvel at its natural beauty, and to share my vistas with others. Photography is one way that helps me to stop and take the time to appreciate this beauty as I participate in extreme mountains sports, or just merely wonder and wander in wilderness. I hope you can appreciate this beauty equally.

I am blessed to have grown up in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State, which have instilled in me a love for the outdoors and their beauty. I am grateful for the heritage of appreciation for natural things that I've been given from my family. My love for the outdoors began when I was 11 days old and went winter camping in a tent with my mom and dad.

Johnathan exploring Froze-to-Death Plateau in the Wind River Range of Wyoming

Throughout my younger years, I spent a considerable amount of time winter hiking in the Adirondack Mountains where I lived, and achieved several regional climbing records, such as being the youngest person to climb all the 4,000 ft. peaks in New York in the winter, and also completing that same group of mountains in the winter in the shortest amount of time. (Now my younger brothers have the youngest winter record.) Then I expanded my climbing goals to include all 4,000 foot peaks in the Northeast in the winter, and the United States highpoints. As I've gotten older, and had to focus on other things like college, I have never lost that love for the outdoors.

I've recently returned from a year-long solo adventure in New Zealand, where I lived out of my car and hiked extensively. I was never in one place more than a couple weeks. This trip truly helped me discover my passion for wilderness travel and photography.

Johnathan in front of The Dragon's Teeth, on the last day of a 13-day backpacking trip through Kahurangi National Park in the South Island of New Zealand

Currently working on my MBA degree in Spokane, Washington state, I have had to consider what my values are in life. And I've discovered that alongside my faith in Jesus Christ, the natural world brings meaning to my life. I would love to be able to travel the world and through remote and seldom-visited wildernesses in the name of exploration, adventure, wilderness photography and conservation. Ultimately, my career goal is to combine this love for the outdoors and for photography, helping people to appreciate and value the natural wonders of Earth. This website truly represents me. Enjoy exploring the photographs and reading about my adventures.