Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old former paratrooper from Hull, is due to complete a 28-year journey around the world by arriving at his mother’s house on November 2, 2026. He began the expedition in Chile on November 1, 1998, intending to reach home without using transport to move his journey forward.
The expedition, known as the Goliath Expedition, was originally expected to take 12 years. Instead, Bushby spent almost three decades walking and swimming across roughly 31,000 miles, travelling through four continents and around 30 countries while facing extreme weather, difficult terrain and repeated delays.
One of the most demanding stages came in 2006, when Bushby crossed the frozen Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia. He faced freezing conditions and encountered a polar bear before being detained in Russia. Visa restrictions, financial difficulties and the COVID-19 pandemic also extended the journey.
Speaking to The Guardian, Bushby said that financial crises, pandemics, visa bans, wars and bureaucracy were among the obstacles that could not have been anticipated. More recently, he spent 31 days crossing the Caspian Sea before swimming the English Channel and reaching British soil on October 5.
The expedition has had a considerable impact on his family life. According to the Associated Press, Bushby has not seen his mother in around 10 years, while his son largely grew up without him. He also has a 12-year-old granddaughter whom he has never met.
Although he has spent decades working towards his return, Bushby has said he is apprehensive about life after the expedition. He told The Guardian that his purpose in life was about to end abruptly and that he would need to find a new direction.
Hull City Council said Bushby was expected to receive a public welcome on November 2 before continuing to his family home to officially complete the journey.
Sources: Dexerto.