Karl Bushby has been walking across the globe since 1998
A Hull adventurer who has spent an extraordinary 27 years walking around the world has revealed the two most terrifying locations he has encountered during his epic journey.
Karl Bushby, a former paratrooper who reportedly aims to become the first person to complete a continuous round-the-world trek, began his colossal expedition in Chile in November 1998 and will soon return to the UK following nearly three decades on the move.
The 56 year old has witnessed his share of peril throughout the years. As part of his 36,000-mile Goliath Expedition, Karl has swum across the Caspian Sea and traversed the American and Asian continents.
Two specific adventures emerged when describing some of his most frightening encounters, reports the Mirror. His first took place while crossing the notorious Darién Gap, linking Central and South America, where he discovered himself in the “middle of a war zone”.
Karl told CBS News: “And then there’s a whole layer above that of cartels and drug plantations, and then really, really tough jungle.”
Stretching across Panama and Colombia, and recognised as one of the most perilous migration routes on Earth, the Darién Gap represents a notorious 60-mile corridor featuring mountains and forests. Its perils include sweltering temperatures, torrential downpours, waterways, mosquitoes and venomous snakes, as well as criminals, with human trafficking, extortion, theft, rape and sexual assault reportedly a risk.
Karl also highlighted a trek he undertook across the Bering Strait, which sits between the Pacific and Arctic oceans, where he encountered a polar bear. He added: “You’re in a very serious world that will kill you in 20 minutes if you mess up.”
Situated between Alaska and Russia, the strait serves as a wildlife sanctuary housing species such as beluga, bowhead and gray whales, along with polar bears. Despite the danger, Karl managed to complete the crossing alongside US companion Dimitri Kieffer.
The adventurous pair reportedly journeyed from Alaska to Siberia, navigating ice flows and swimming through patches of open water, only to face arrest by Russian authorities upon arrival for illegal entry and subsequent deportation.
As of November 6, Karl was approaching Budapest as he headed towards his home city of Hull, which he previously acknowledged would be a “very strange place to be” after such an extended period of travelling, reports the BBC.
He also revealed that finally ending his expedition was a “positively scary” prospect and was “going to be hard”.
Karl said: “I’ve spoken with a number of long-distance walkers, some walking five years or more, and they have told me it’s very difficult returning to normal society. The key will be throwing myself into another mission, to have another goal.”
Karl also offered his perspective on humanity, disclosing that “99.99% of the world is good” and the world isn’t as frightening “as you might think”, even in regions that we “might not expect”.
Karl is expecting to complete his epic walk in 2026.