British adventurer nears end of 28-year global trek

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 06:22 · Archive

Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old British adventurer, is within 50km of finishing a 50,000km walk that began in 1998.

Karl Bushby, 57, is nearing the completion of a 50,000km trek around the world that began in 1998 when he was just shy of 30 years old. He is now about 50km from his destination in Hull, northern England, having walked across four continents and through 30 foreign countries.

The former British paratrooper's journey was sparked by a birthday card from his father, Keith, an Army veteran. It mentioned an argument special forces troops once had about the possibility of walking from London to New York over the Bering land bridge, believed by some scientists to have been used by early humans migrating from Asia to the Americas. Bushby drew a continuous line on a map and instead of stopping at New York, carried on to the tip of Chile.

During the trek, Bushby has navigated shifting ice over the Bering Strait, swam across the Caspian Sea and the English Channel, and battled almost every type of element and terrain imaginable. However, as the finish approaches, Bushby expressed uncertainty about the future. 'My purpose and reason for living is about to end,' he said, adding that it would be 'difficult trying to blend back into a society that you just don't know anymore.' He expressed anxiety about the prospect of living in his mother's basement after the journey concludes.

How it is being reported

• Karl Bushby nears the end of 28-year global trekBritish adventurer Karl Bushby is nearing the end of a 50,000km trek around the world that has taken him 28 years.Perth Now · 31 Oct, 06:07
• Karl Bushby nears the end of 28-year global trekBritish adventurer Karl Bushby is nearing the end of a 50,000km trek around the world that has taken him 28 years.The West Australian · 31 Oct, 06:07

In this story: Karl Bushby · Keith Bushby · Hull · South America · Bering Strait · Caspian Sea · English Channel

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