Karl Bushby, who began a mission to walk 30,000 miles around the world on October 1, 1998, is nearing the end of his nearly 30-year expedition. At 29 years old, he set out from Hull, England, with two rules: no transport and no return to the UK until the journey was complete. Now 57, Bushby is approximately 500 miles from his hometown.
His journey, initially planned for 12 years, has been significantly extended by unforeseen challenges. The 2008 financial crisis halted his funding for three years, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused another three-year delay. Global politics and visa restrictions also presented hurdles, including a diversion to the Russian embassy in Washington D.C. to secure a visa.
Bushby's travels have taken him through diverse terrains and numerous countries. He traversed Patagonia, the Andes, the West Coast of the United States, and the Alaskan highway before crossing the Bering Strait into Russia. His route continued through Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, along the Silk Road, and across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Europe. Along the way, he has faced imprisonment, robbery, extreme weather, difficult terrain, and encounters with polar bears. He also swam 186 miles across the Caspian Sea and navigated the Darien Gap in Colombia in 2000.
One of the final major obstacles is the 21-mile English Channel. Bushby had anticipated using the Eurotunnel service but was unable to. French law prohibits swimming the Channel from France due to safety concerns, but he recently secured special permission and a support boat. He plans to swim it in stages with fellow long-distance walker Angela Maxwell. He hopes to arrive back in Hull on November 1.
The expedition originated from a pub bet, with Bushby, a former paratrooper, seeking to test his physical capabilities. He aimed to prove doubters wrong and set records, such as being among the first to fully cross the Bering Strait on foot and ice in 2006 with adventurer Dimitri Kieffer. He also completed the Caspian Sea swim with Angela Maxwell and two Azerbaijani swimmers.
Bushby describes the Darien Gap crossing in 2000 as particularly harrowing, requiring extensive planning due to the ongoing civil war and high rates of kidnapping. He adopted a vagrant disguise to move through the region.
The journey has not been without personal cost. Bushby has had two significant relationships end due to the pressures of his expedition. He also has a granddaughter he has never met, as he has seen his son, Adam, only about four times since he left. His mother, Angela, has remained a constant support and will be waiting for his arrival in Hull.
Despite the immense challenges and the 16-year overrun, Bushby expresses no regrets. He is currently pushing his specially adapted trolley, nicknamed 'The Beast,' at a steady pace. He plans to camp stealthily and maintain his routine of walking at least 20 miles per day. He acknowledges the physical toll, noting fallen toenails and knee issues, and feels it's time to complete the journey.
Looking ahead, Bushby has a documentary planned and has established a non-profit organization to promote STEM subjects. He emphasizes the importance of reminding people of the world's kindness and beauty, countering the often-negative 24-hour news cycle. He believes his expedition has proven that people are fundamentally good.