British adventurer Karl Bushby has completed an epic 31,000-mile (50,000 km) trek from South America to the United Kingdom, marking the end of a 28-year global expedition. Bushby, a former paratrooper, originally set off from Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998 at the age of 29.
Throughout the expedition, Bushby adhered to two strict, self-imposed rules: he would not use any transport to advance his journey, and he would not return to the UK until the entire trek was complete. His route spanned four continents and featured landmark milestones, including navigating the Darién Gap, crossing the frozen Bering Strait in 2006, and swimming the English Channel.
Crowds gathered in Hull's city centre to welcome the explorer before he completed the final miles to his family home in Sutton Park. There, he reunited with his mother, Angela, bringing a close to decades of separation during which they could only meet abroad. Speaking to reporters after his arrival, Bushby described the homecoming as "surreal" and confirmed his retirement from long-distance expeditions, stating simply, "I'm hanging my boots up."
