World-famous traveler has circled the planet and will soon return home: how Roman Abramovich helped him

British Extremist on the Home Stretch: 27-Year Walking Journey Around the World Nears Completion

Former paratrooper, traveler, and writer from Great Britain, Karl Bushby, is in the final stage of his grand project - the first pedestrian circumnavigation of the globe in human history without using transport, which has been ongoing for 27 years.

His route, called "Expedition Goliath," stretches for 58 thousand kilometers through the most severe and inaccessible corners of the world, from Colombian jungles to the icy fields of the Bering Strait. Initially, Bushby planned to complete his journey in 12 years, but numerous difficulties significantly extended this timeframe.

According to Lenta.ru, Karl Bushby's journey was filled with deadly dangers and unforeseen obstacles. He had to cross the jungles of South America, avoiding encounters with armed rebels, and survive in the harsh conditions of Alaska. One of the most difficult challenges was crossing the Bering Strait on drifting ice, where he had to swim part of the way in sub-zero temperatures. This stage became not only a test of physical endurance but also a serious psychological challenge.

In 2006, after crossing the Bering Strait, Bushby was detained in Chukotka for illegally crossing the Russian border. He faced deportation and a five-year ban on entering the country, which would have put an end to his entire journey. In this critical situation, according to the traveler, he was helped by the intervention of Roman Abramovich, who at that time held the position of governor of Chukotka. Bushby claims that after the British Deputy Prime Minister appealed to him, Abramovich personally contributed to the cancellation of the deportation decision. Nevertheless, Karl had to return to Alaska to restore his equipment and obtain new visas in order to legally continue his journey through Russia a year later.

After crossing Eurasia, the Briton faced new challenges. He was not allowed to walk through the Channel Tunnel, and despite physical exhaustion, he was forced to swim across the strait accompanied by a team of swimmers. Later, due to difficulties in obtaining visas to cross Russia or Iran, he had to swim across the Caspian Sea from the shores of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, although he himself admitted that he does not like swimming. Currently, the traveler is in Mexico, where he is waiting to receive a visa for the final stage of his journey. It is expected that Karl Bushby will be able to complete his circumnavigation and return home in September 2026.