Karl Bushby, a 56-year-old former British paratrooper from Hull, England, began an epic journey in 1998, walking from Punta Arenas, Chile, to his hometown in the Goliath Expedition. Covering over 36,000 miles, his quest follows strict rules: no transportation and no returning home until completion. Initially planned for eight years, it has stretched to 27 due to logistical, political, and financial hurdles.
Bushby’s trek spans four continents, 25 countries, six deserts, and seven mountain ranges. He’s endured extreme challenges, like crossing the Darien Gap, surviving a polar bear encounter, and walking the Bering Strait in 2006, only to face detention in Russia. Visa issues, including a five-year Russian ban, stalled him, prompting a 3,600-mile walk from Los Angeles to the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to overturn it. In 2024, unable to cross Russia or Iran, he swam 186 miles across the Caspian Sea in 31 days, despite minimal swimming experience.
Now in Europe after crossing Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait in May 2025, Bushby has under 2,000 miles left. His final challenge is the English Channel, where he seeks permission to walk the Channel Tunnel’s service tunnel. Aiming for Hull by September 2026, he reflects on the mental toll of his solitary journey but remains driven to prove himself. Supported by sponsors and his father, Keith, Bushby’s odyssey showcases human endurance and resilience. His relentless pursuit embodies the gloriously bonkers spirit of British adventurers, upholding a proud tradition of eccentric, dogged determination that defies all reason and captivates the world.