British Carl Bushby Completes 28-Year Round-the-World Walking Journey

British traveler Karl Bushby is completing one of the longest walking journeys in history. Over 28 years, he has walked approximately 50,000 km to return to his hometown of Hull. The former paratrooper, now 57, set out from Chile on November 1, 1998, with a strict condition: to reach home only by walking or swimming, without using any transport along the route. The expedition, named "Goliath," spanned four continents and about 30 countries—from the southern tip of South America to the northern coast of England.

Initially, Bushby planned to complete the journey in 12 years. The journey stretched to nearly three decades, with dangerous wildlife, harsh climates, and international border disputes along the way. He is set to arrive at his mother's home in Hull exactly 28 years and one day after starting.

In an interview with The Guardian, the traveler shared that he had dreamed of a big adventure since childhood. The idea took shape after receiving a birthday postcard from his father, where British SAS soldiers discussed whether it was possible to walk from London to New York.

One of the most challenging stages was crossing the frozen Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia in 2006: Bushby walked on drifting ice in severe cold and once encountered a polar bear. Immediately after the crossing, he was detained by Russian authorities, followed by visa restrictions, financial difficulties, and the COVID-19 pandemic—causing the expedition to stall for years. "You can't foresee financial crises, pandemics, entry bans, wars, and bureaucracy you have to deal with," he explained to The Guardian.

The final part was also challenging: Bushby spent 31 days crossing the Caspian Sea, then swam the English Channel, and on October 5, set foot on British soil.

The journey was costly on a personal level as well: according to the Associated Press, he hasn't seen his mother for about 10 years, and his son grew up virtually without a father. He has a 12-year-old granddaughter whom he has never met. Returning to normal life is daunting: "My life's goal is about to suddenly end," says Bushby, acknowledging that he will need to find a new direction. The Hull city council has announced a public reception for the traveler, after which he will head to his family and officially conclude "Goliath" on the doorstep of his home.