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The Golias Expedition Led British Karl Bushby to Cross Continents, Seas, and Borders for Almost Three Decades, Challenging Physical, Bureaucratic, and Emotional Limits in His Journey of 58,000 Kilometers
Few adventure stories are as long and persistent as that of Karl Bushby. Born in 1969 in Hull, England, the former British paratrooper decided over 25 years ago to walk completely around the planet. Since November 1, 1998, when he left Punta Arenas in the far south of Chile, he has pursued the goal of completing the Golias Expedition, a continuous and uninterrupted journey that is set to total 58,000 kilometers by the time he returns to his hometown.
From Military Field to Endless Road
The idea came after 11 years serving in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. Upon leaving the armed forces, Bushby wanted to prove that the discipline and endurance he learned could be applied to a new challenge.
With a backpack and hand-marked maps, he began the long trek through South America. He faced deserts, jungles, and mountains before reaching Alaska in 2006. By that point, he had already walked about 27,000 kilometers.
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The Frozen Challenge of the Bering Strait
In 2006, accompanied by Frenchman Dimitri Kieffer, he faced one of the most dangerous stretches of the journey: the Bering Strait.
For 14 days, the two traveled 240 kilometers over ice, connecting Alaska to Siberia, in temperatures that reached –40 °C.
Despite the impressive feat, Bushby was eventually detained by Russian authorities, as he had crossed through an unauthorized point. The situation was resolved only after diplomatic discussions between the United Kingdom and Russia.
Slow Progress and Russian Bureaucracy
Between 2007 and 2012, Bushby had to deal with obstacles imposed by the weather and Russian visas. He could only walk during the winter, when the rivers froze, making progress extremely slow.
In 2013, he was banned from entering the country again for five years. In protest, he walked about 4,800 kilometers to Washington, D.C., seeking support to reverse the decision. The measure was finally revoked in 2014, allowing him to resume his journey.
Crossing Unlikely Seas and Borders on Foot
In the following years, Bushby continued through Central Asia, reaching Uzbekistan in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted plans and delayed the expedition.
But in 2024, he surprised everyone again: he decided to swim across the Caspian Sea, alongside swimmers from Azerbaijan and American Angela Maxwell.
The 288-kilometer crossing took 31 days and became one of the most memorable moments of his adventure, showing that fatigue never surpassed his desire to continue.
The Final Stretch of a Global Epic
In June 2025, Bushby was waiting for a visa to enter Turkey after crossing Armenia. Shortly thereafter, he was already in Bulgaria, and by October, he was walking through Romania, just over 2,200 kilometers from his hometown.
If there are no new setbacks, he is expected to complete the journey in 2026, ending a walk that totals over 58,000 kilometers traveled.
Walking Around the World: A Man Driven by Persistence
More than a geographical feat, the Golias Expedition is a lesson in resilience. Bushby faced financial difficulties, slept in makeshift tents, and walked through isolated regions, always driven by the same purpose: to walk completely around the world on his own two feet.
In his book Giant Steps, published in 2005, he summarized the spirit of the mission in one sentence: “Every step is a victory over giving up.”
Now, on the doorstep of Western Europe, Karl Bushby continues walking — not just toward Hull, but toward the completion of one of the longest and most inspiring journeys in modern history.
With information from Wikipedia.
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