02.11.2026 09:40
Former British paratrooper Karl Bushby’s walking journey, which began with an argument he mentioned in his father’s birthday card and which he set off on from Chile on November 1, 1998, ends today after 28 years. A welcome event will be held in Hull, where his home is, for Bushby, who crossed the Darien jungle, the Bering Strait, the Caspian Sea, and the English Channel, and also passed through Istanbul. Hull Municipality announced that the program will begin at 14:00 Turkish time.
Karl Bushby is preparing to complete today his journey from the southernmost tip of South America to England without using any vehicle. The walk, initially planned to take 12 years, stretched to 28 years due to visa obstacles, closed borders, financial difficulties, and the pandemic.
IT ALL STARTED WITH A BIRTHDAY CARD
The idea for the journey emerged from a birthday card from Bushby’s father. In the card, his father mentioned an argument among soldiers: "Can one walk from London to New York via the Bering Strait?"
Setting out with this question, Bushby extended the route he drew on the map all the way to the southernmost point of South America. The former paratrooper began walking on November 1, 1998, from Punta Arenas, Chile, toward his home in Hull, England, and named his journey the "Goliath Expedition."
HE HAD TWO RULES: NO VEHICLES, NO GOING HOME
Bushby set two rules for himself throughout the journey. He would not use any vehicle to advance along the route, and he would not return home before completing the journey.
Because of these rules, it was not possible to overcome an obstacle by plane or ship and continue on the way. Bushby swam across some water crossings he could not pass on foot.
FROM THE DARIÉN JUNGLE TO ALASKA
Crossing the Americas from south to north, Bushby traversed the dangerous Darién jungle between Colombia and Panama and reached Alaska.
HE CROSSED THE BERING STRAIT AND WAS DETAINED IN RUSSIA
In 2006, Bushby crossed from Alaska to Russia. Moving with Dimitri Kieffer over the shifting sea ice of the Bering Strait, Bushby swam when necessary. When he reached Russia, he was detained due to border entry procedures.
HE CROSSED THE CASPIAN SEA BY SWIMMING IN 31 DAYS
Having trouble progressing through Russia and Iran, Bushby chose to swim across the Caspian Sea in 2024. Together with his support team, he made a crossing of about 300 kilometers from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. During this 31-day leg, Bushby did not remain in the water continuously.
IN ISTANBUL, HE WALKED ACROSS THE JULY 15 MARTYRS BRIDGE
One of the important stops of the journey was Turkey. Entering Turkey via Azerbaijan and Georgia, Bushby reached Istanbul on April 25, 2025. He then walked across the July 15 Martyrs Bridge with special permission and set foot on the European side.
In October 2026, Bushby swam across the English Channel and reached England.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE 12 YEARS; IT TOOK 28
Initially, the journey was expected to take about 12 years. However, visa obstacles, closed borders, financial difficulties, and the pandemic extended the duration. Bushby’s journey was a challenging process not only in terms of physical endurance but also in terms of waiting and being able to start again.
A WELCOME PROGRAM WILL BE HELD IN HULL
Hull City Council announced that the welcome event for Bushby in the city center will be held today at 11:00 UK time, 14:00 Turkey time. After the program, Bushby is expected to walk to his mother’s house and complete his 28-year journey.