Discover Karl Bushby: The British Explorer Nearing the End of His Epic 27-Year Global Trek
Karl Bushby is on the verge of completing an incredible journey: a 27-year unbroken trek around the globe. This expedition began in 1998 and has taken him through 25 countries, including treacherous terrains and politically complicated regions. Now 56 years old, he is less than 1,000 miles from his hometown of Hull, England. Bushby aims to finish his extraordinary 31,000-mile journey by September 2026.
From Humble Beginnings to a Global Explorer
Born in 1969 in Hull, Bushby’s path to becoming a renowned explorer was unconventional. His experience in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment exposed him to various challenges and foreign environments. The loss of fellow soldiers instilled in him a determination to pursue adventure and seize the day.
At 29, Bushby embarked on what he called the Goliath Expedition. His goal was ambitious: to walk all the way from South America back to England. The journey officially started in November 1998 from Punta Arenas in Chile, armed with only $500, paper maps, and a desire to test his limits.
The Goliath Expedition: Overcoming Challenges
- Karl Bushby traversed through Patagonia, the Andes, and Central America.
- He walked the entire length of the Americas, crossing Mexico and the United States.
- In 2006, he accomplished the difficult task of walking across the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia.
His crossing was marked by shifting ice and dangerous conditions. Once in Russia, Bushby encountered further hurdles, including a lengthy 57-day detention for entering through an unofficial border crossing. His biggest challenges were often political rather than geographical.
Political Obstacles and Setbacks
- In 2013, Bushby faced a five-year visa ban from Russia.
- He walked from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to petition for the ban’s reversal.
- Factors like financial crises and the COVID-19 pandemic further stalled his journey.
Originally expected to last 12 years, his trek has extended into nearly three decades. Even when faced with geopolitical restrictions, Bushby found innovative solutions, such as swimming across the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan in August 2024.
Crossing the Caspian and Entering Europe
The sea crossing took 31 days, during which Bushby rested on support boats between swims. After reaching Azerbaijan, he continued his journey through the Caucasus and into Turkey, eventually making his way into Europe. By late 2025, he had arrived in Hungary, with approximately 932 miles remaining to complete his journey.
Human Kindness Along the Journey
Throughout his travels, Bushby highlights the kindness of strangers he met along the way. Whether receiving meals, shelter, or even medical care, he acknowledges that he has always found support in unexpected places. He recounts instances of personal challenges, such as stitching a deep wrist gash and overcoming a serious stomach infection in Peru.
Approaching the Finish Line
As Bushby nears Hull, a mixture of pride and apprehension accompanies him. His life has revolved around this singular mission, and its culmination brings both triumph and a sense of loss. He acknowledges the psychological toll of continuous motion and hopes to use his experiences to inspire others through science outreach and education.
A Testament to Human Determination
Karl Bushby’s 27-year trek is more than just an expedition; it is a shining example of resilience, humility, and the goodness of humanity. After successfully crossing jungles, deserts, and seas, he is on track to become one of the greatest adventurers of our time. When he steps into Hull in 2026, it will mark the end of an extraordinary era, showcasing the lengths one can go when driven by unwavering determination.
