About 25 miles off the west coast sits a largely uninhabited paradise known as the Channel Islands of California. A picture of what California used to be, these eight islands extend for 160 miles, and only one of the eight (Santa Catalina) has a significant permanent civilian settlement. Five of the islands are now a national park; a pristine serenity that is worlds away from the bustle of Hollywood and has earned the nickname “American Galapagos.”
Recently, Austin, Texas-based commercial photographer Kevin Steele took a trip to the islands with family and a few fellow adventurers. The group spent a week exploring the unique landscape, plants, and wildlife of these well-preserved isles.
Along with his family, Kevin was accompanied by Erik Weihenmayer, who is the only blind man to have climbed Mount Everest. He has since climbed the highest peak on every continent and plans to do the first blind descent of the Grand Canyon in a kayak next fall. Erik was there with his adopted son, Arjun, and the trip was intended as Arjun’s first look at the ocean. It ran as a story and photo essay in German Kid’s Geo magazine.
Despite losing his vision at age 13, Erik has become an inspiration to many around the world:
“He is an amazing individual. After being around him for only a short time, you quickly forget that he can’t see. His other senses have developed so much and he is so accomplished that it doesn’t hold him back.” – Kevin
Pictured below, Kevin’s favorite part of the trip was kayaking through the sea cave, and simply experiencing the “totally wild islands” that are so close yet so far from Southern California.
Kevin’s channel island photos are now up in a gallery in Santa Barbara, all focusing on people enjoying the islands. The images will be up for three months.