Discover the inspiring story of Karl Bushby, the British adventurer who has been walking around the world since 1998. Latest 2025 updates, challenges, and the finish line of the Goliath Expedition.
Imagine starting a journey on November 1, 1998, and still not finishing it 27 years later. That’s the story of Karl Bushby, a British ex-paratrooper who has dedicated his life to walking around the world—on foot, without shortcuts. His mission, called the “Goliath Expedition,” is one of the most ambitious adventures in human history.
In this blog, we’ll explore who Karl Bushby is, how far he has walked, the challenges he faced, and where he is in 2025.
Courtesy: Anadolu Agency
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Who is Karl Bushby?
- Born 30 March 1969 in Hull, England.
- Joined the British Army’s Parachute Regiment at age 16 and served 11 years.
- After military service, he set his eyes on something even more daring: to become the first person to walk an unbroken path around the globe and return to his starting point.
The Goliath Expedition – A Walk Like No Other
- Start Date: 1 November 1998, from Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Goal: Walk 36,000 miles (58,000 km) across the globe, entirely on foot.
- Plan: Complete in 8 years.
- Reality: The journey is still ongoing in 2025.
So far, Karl has walked more than 43,000 km (27,000 miles), covering:
✅ South America
✅ Central America
✅ North America
✅ The Bering Strait into Russia
Source: walking4fun.com (via Google Images)
Karl Bushby’s Journey: The Death-Defying Challenges He Faced on His Walk Around the World
When people hear about Karl Bushby, they often imagine a man simply walking long distances. But his mission — to walk around the world on foot, from Chile back to his home in Hull, England — has been anything but simple. Since he began his journey in 1998, Karl has faced life-threatening challenges that most of us cannot even imagine.
1. Extreme Weather Conditions
From the freezing Siberian winters to the blazing heat of Mexican deserts, Karl Bushby has fought against nature at its harshest. In Siberia, he once described how the cold was so brutal that even taking off his gloves for a few minutes could mean frostbite.
2. The Deadly Bering Strait Crossing
Perhaps the most dangerous chapter of Karl’s journey came in 2006, when he attempted to cross the Bering Strait — the icy stretch of water between Russia and Alaska. He and his partner Dimitri Kieffer walked across the frozen sea ice for nearly 100 kilometers. At one point, the ice broke apart beneath them, leaving them stranded on drifting floes surrounded by deadly freezing water. Survival depended on sheer willpower and quick decision-making.
3. Arrests and Visa Battles
Bushby’s journey hasn’t just been about surviving nature — he has also faced political barriers. In Russia, he was arrested and deported for traveling without proper permits. The long visa battles almost ended his dream entirely, proving that sometimes, man-made obstacles can be even more frustrating than natural ones.
4. Loneliness and Mental Struggles
Walking thousands of miles alone across remote regions means weeks — sometimes months — without human contact. Karl has spoken about the crushing loneliness, where even hearing his own voice was rare. Mental strength became as important as physical endurance.
5. Injuries and Survival Fears
Throughout his journey, Karl faced injuries, food shortages, and moments when he truly feared he would not make it out alive. Near-death experiences in remote regions with no immediate help pushed his limits beyond what most humans could bear.
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Karl Bushby in 2025 – The Latest Update
- In July 2025, media outlets reported that Karl is now in Mexico and preparing to continue his route toward Europe and the Caspian Sea.
- His target is to finally return to Hull, England, by 2026, marking the end of his world’s longest walk.
- Recent articles describe him as “almost finished after 27 years.”
Karl Bushby’s Book
His inspiring journey is detailed in the book:
📖 “Giant Steps: The Remarkable Story of the Goliath Expedition from Punta Arenas to Russia.”
It gives a first-hand look into the challenges, determination, and near-death moments he’s faced.
A Man Who Defied Death to Follow His Dream
Karl Bushby’s story is not just about walking. It is about resilience, survival, and the human spirit’s refusal to quit. Whether facing the deadly ice of the Bering Strait, arrests in foreign lands, or the crushing loneliness of the journey, Bushby has proved that chasing a dream often means staring death in the face — and walking past it.
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Written by Vikash Singh — Blogger at VikashBlog.me
