By — Brian Melley, Associated Press Brian Melley, Associated Press By — Jon Super, Associated Press Jon Super, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/karl-bushby-embraces-his-mother-as-he-completes-his-28-year-walk-around-world Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Karl Bushby embraces his mother as he completes his 28-year walk around world World Nov 2, 2026 4:12 PM EST HULL, England (AP) — Karl Bushby embraced his weeping mother in his arms Monday as he returned to his northern England home to complete a 28-year odyssey to walk around the world. "Where have you been?" his mother, Angela, asked as he arrived outside the home he left in 1998 that was now decked with a banner saying "Welcome Home Son." He didn't need to tell her. Bushby set out from Punta Arenas, Chile, on Nov. 1, 1998, and walked 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) across four continents and 30 countries to get home. He navigated shifting ice over the Bering Strait and swam across the Caspian Sea and English Channel to avoid taking a boat or plane — or any transport…
Karl Bushby embraces his mother as he completes his 28-year walk around world
In short
Karl Bushby's 31,000-mile journey crossed 30 countries after beginning in Punta Arenas, Chile, following inspiration from a birthday card sent by his father. Although he initially planned for a 12-year endeavor, the expedition stretched to 28 years because of visa issues, the 2008 financial crash, and pandemic lockdowns. To keep his journey entirely unmotorized, he swam the English Channel and the Caspian Sea while also crossing the frozen Bering Strait. Upon finishing the trek in Hull, Bushby credited the generosity of international strangers for enabling his return home.
Key points
- A projected 12-year expedition expanded into 28 years because of severe terrain, global c…: A projected 12-year expedition expanded into 28 years because of severe terrain, global crises, and border bureaucracy.
- Extreme survival situations marked the trek, including a polar bear encounter and falling…: Extreme survival situations marked the trek, including a polar bear encounter and falling into freezing Bering Strait waters.
- Hundreds of spectators gathered at Hull's City Hall to celebrate the adventurer before he…: Hundreds of spectators gathered at Hull's City Hall to celebrate the adventurer before he reached his mother's home.