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'Karl Bushby' (b. 30 March 1969) is a British ex-paratrooper and adventurer, currently attempting to be the first person to completely walk an unbroken path around the world. Dave Kunst was officially the first person to walk around the world (June 20 1970 - October 5 1974), however, his path crossed various oceans. Other people who have walked or run around the world (or are attempting it) include: Ffyona Campbell, Jesper Olsen (runner), Colin Skinner and Rosie Swale-Pope. Bushby's trek is known as the 'Goliath Expedition'.

Contents

Early life

Goliath Expedition

Giant Steps

References

External link

Early life

Bushby was born 30 March, 1969 in Hull, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom. He attended a local comprehensive school and joined the British Army at the age of 16. Karl served with the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment for 11 years.

Goliath Expedition

The 'Goliath Expedition' is Bushby's attempt to walk around the world "with unbroken footsteps", from Punta Arenas, Chile, to his home in Hull, England. He began his journey in November 1, 1998 and expects to finish it by 2009, then having walked over 36,000 miles.
Bushby set off from Punta Arenas, Chile, on November 1, 1998, and has (as of April 2006) completed over 17,000 miles. With over 19,000 more miles to walk, and maintaining his current speed, he should return home to Hull, England in 2012. He has already walked through South, Central and North America.
In March 2006, Bushby and French adventurer Dimitri Kieffer crossed the Bering Strait on foot, walking across a frozen 56 mile section in 15 days.^[1] They were detained by Russian border troop officers while they were crossing the Russian border near the Chukotkan village of Uelen, for not entering Russia at a correct port-of-entry. They were threatened to be banned from Russia, which would stop the journey.^[2] It was announced on May 5, 2006, that the Russian appeal court had upheld Bushby's application and his walk will continue.^[3] This is reported to be the result of consultation between John Prescott, the British Deputy Prime Minister (and also an MP in Bushby's home town of Hull), and Roman Abramovich, the Governor of Chukotka.^[4]
On March 16, 2007, it was announced that Karl has successfully obtained the required permission from the Russian authorities, and is now preparing to begin the 2nd half of his Goliath Expedition. Karl will be walking the 1st leg of this stage to Yakutsk, along with companion Dimitri Kieffer.

Giant Steps

Bushby has written a book about his walk entitled "Giant Steps". First published in 2005, the latest edition (2007) includes events up to 31 March, 2006, and his Bering Strait crossing.

References

1. Epic explorer crosses frozen sea BBC News, April 3, 2006. URL accessed on June 13, 2006.
2. Judge to decide explorer's fate BBC News, April 12, 2006. URL accessed on June 13, 2006.
3. Explorer's world trek continues BBC News, May 5, 2006. URL accessed on June 13, 2006.
4. Russia lifts ban on British trekker Guardian Unlimited, May 5, 2006. URL accessed on June 13, 2006.

External link

★ Goliath Expedition home page