Chuck Brill isn’t your average adventurer. He’s a commercial real estate broker by trade, but his passion for exploration has taken him far beyond his Palos Verdes home and his comfortable South Bay real estate office. Most recently, Brill returned from an incredible 1,200-mile journey through remote Northeast India, navigating treacherous roads and restricted zones in a humble tuk-tuk.
“A tuk-tuk is basically just a tricycle with a little engine strapped to the back,” he says with a chuckle. Yet, this wasn’t just any road trip; it was a daring expedition into a part of India where few foreigners have been allowed to visit.
Brill’s partner on this adventure was fellow Adventurers’ Club of Los Angeles member Jeff Holmes. The two navigated wild traffic, poor road conditions, and even a region undergoing ethnic cleansing—all while averaging a mere 15 miles per hour.
“Jeff cracked his head pretty badly on the third day,” Brill recalls. Despite a three-inch gash that required stitches, Jeff insisted on continuing the trip. “I was impressed by his high pain tolerance,” he says, admiringly. Their entire hospital ordeal, including two CT scans and stitches, cost just $86.24 and took less than two hours. “Impressive,” he adds, reflecting on the healthcare they received in such a remote area.
Brill’s love for adventure runs deep, a trait that was fostered in his rural Pennsylvania upbringing. “I grew up much like in the movie *Stand by Me*, with miles of woods and streams as my backyard,” he reminisces.
After moving to California in 1983, Brill began his 40-year career in industrial real estate, but he never lost his connection to the great outdoors. “I wanted my kids to connect with nature, to have that feeling of freedom,” he explains. This led to joining the Portuguese Bend Beach Club and buying into a large ranch near the Eastern Sierras, where his children learned to fish, handle firearms responsibly, and explore the wilderness.
Palos Verdes, particularly Lunada Bay, holds a special place in Brill’s heart. He and his wife Jennifer, who hails from Atherton in Northern California, landed on the Peninsula in 1994. They originally moved to Palos Verdes from Hermosa Beach when their children were born, “for a bigger yard, safer and quieter community, and better school district. Now we love Lunada Bay for its perfect year-round Mediterranean-style weather, we love listening to the seals barking and the sound of the offshore buoy at night as we fall asleep.” Brill says.
CJ, Lauren, Jennifer, Chuck
Their grown son CJ, a former varsity soccer player at PV High, and grown daughter Lauren, a former cheer captain, both thrived in PV’s tight-knit community. “It was nice to be within walking distance of the schools,” notes Brill.
Brill’s time with the Boy Scouts was also a deeply enriching chapter of his life, both as a parent and a leader. Serving first as an Assistant Scoutmaster and then as Scoutmaster for Troop 783, he found himself managing a group that resembled a small company, with 100 Scouts and around 200 parents. The troop, sponsored by the United Methodist Church in Rolling Hills Estates, was known for its vibrant activity, hosting over 30 events annually, ranging from weeklong hikes to bowling nights.
Despite the significant time and effort required, the experience was immensely rewarding, as it allowed Brill to witness young boys grow into men of character, equipped with valuable life skills and lifelong friendships.
Those days are past but his desire to see “what’s around the next bend” keeps him restless. Brill is about to embark on a 220-mile canoe expedition near the Arctic Ocean with professional explorer and author Adam Shoalts, where they’ll conduct research for Adam’s next book. “Success usually boils down to mental strength, not physical strength,” Brill asserts, explaining his philosophy on adventure. “Eventually, if I ever slow down or semi-retire I’d like to have a goal of spending 100 days a year in the field,” he explains with his trademark determination to make the most of the time he has left.
“At 65, I realistically have 10 more viable years of good mobility and high energy,” he admits. But with Brill’s relentless spirit, those years will be anything but ordinary. Whether he’s canoeing in the Arctic, trekking through the jungles of the Amazon, or driving a tuk-tuk through India, Chuck Brill is living proof that the real adventure lies just beyond the comfort zone.
