Karl Bushby Prepares to Cross the Channel on the Final Stage of his 28-Year World Walk

Bushby hopes to receive permission before October 1 to swim across the English Channel, one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the world. He thinks that after this date, winter conditions may make the passage very dangerous.

This won't be the first route Bushby has had to swim on his journey either. The adventurer had previously crossed the Caspian Sea in 30 days by swimming and treading water. He used a boat to rest, but did not use the boat to further his journey.

When Bushby began his journey in November 1998, he set two basic rules for himself: He would not use any means of transport to get on, and he would not set foot without returning home on foot to his home near Hull in the north of England.

Since then, he has been carrying all his belongings in a car he calls “The Beast”. However, not all of the 28-year adventure was spent on the road.

He had to interrupt his journey for a long time due to visa problems, the 2008 crisis and the Covid-19 epidemic. In total, Bushby estimates he lost about 14 years due to these obstacles. Every time he took a break, he restarted his journey from the point where he left off.

One of the biggest diplomatic problems Bushby faced occurred in Russia. The Moscow administration did not grant him a visa for a long time after he walked across the Bering Strait, which separates Alaska from eastern Russia. Bushby says no one has made this transition across the ice before.

A documentary is also being prepared about Bushby, who is nearing the end of his 28-year journey. After reaching home, he plans to deal with the documentary and give speeches about his experiences.

“I'll have to try to find a place for myself in the adult world again, because I'll be coming home with nothing.” Bushby's only goal for now is to cross the English Channel.