HOME AT LAST: Karl with Mum Angela
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
It ended with a tearful embrace from his Mum outside the house where he grew up.
After 28 years on the road, 36,000 miles, crossing four continents and 29 countries, Karl Bushby completed the longest continuous walk in human history today in the autumn afternoon sun in a terraced street on Sutton Park.
Waiting to greet him – as she promised she would be – was his Mum Angela, who dissolved in tears as they hugged surrounded by photographers, TV cameras and a documentary film crew capturing it all.
Karl, 57, warmly consoled his Mum as she buried her face in his chest, then suggested they go in for “a cup of tea and biscuits”.
All around the neat and tidy street – which had been decorated with “Welcome Home” signs, Union Jacks and balloons – were beaming neighbours, well-wishers and other family members sharing the moment and congratulating Karl on his success.
Above the garden door of Karl’s home was another banner which read: “WELCOME HOME SON from your 28 year adventure.”
Among those waiting in the garden was German filmmaker Werner Herzog, who is making a documentary about the journey.
MORE TO COME: Karl and Mum Angela talking to filmmaker Werner Herzog
Earlier, as she waited for his homecoming, Angela spoke to The Hull Story in her kitchen between frequent phone calls and said she felt “happy but a little nervous”. Although Karl has not set foot in Hull for 28 years, his Mum has been out to see him at various points on his journey, including in Alaska (2006) and Mexico (2015).
Karl had completed the final day of his epic journey in two phases, first walking into Hull city centre from Hessle, where he received a civic welcome from the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Maria Coward, outside the city hall cheered on by a crowd of hundreds. Then it was the very final lap to Sutton Park.
The expectant crowd filled Queen Victoria Square as they waited for Karl to appear in Carr Lane, with his route having taken in Hessle Road and Anlaby Road.
ICEMAN: In Alaska. Picture: Karl Bushby
Elements of the crowd began edging into Carr Lane, perhaps hoping for better vantage points, to be the first to see him, or as if wanting to bring the moment of reconnection and return nearer. These would be the first steps he had taken in his native city since leaving to begin his long walk home from the tip of South America in 1998.
Pushing before him The Beast – the wheeled cart carrying his few belongings that has accompanied him – Karl hove into view at the bottom of Carr Lane just before 11am. He was met by a piper who led him towards the square playing Auld Lang Syne.
People rushed towards him saying “Well done, Karl!” as other clapped and cheered.
HERO’S WELCOME: Karl nearing Queen Victoria Square
Then after parking The Beast Karl took a microphone to thank those who had come out to see him, and seemed taken aback by the size of the reception.
“Absolutely fantastic, thank you very much,” said Karl. “There’s never been a welcome home quite like this, I’m sure.
“This is absolute madness. Twenty-eight years and here we are at last. The last moment. It’s been a week of lasts – last night in a tent, last day on the road alone. And after twenty-eight years you couldn’t ask for anything more than this. This is the last day.
“One last enormous thank you, guys. This must look pretty good on camera right now. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
He was then warmly welcomed home by the Lord Mayor.
Among those watching was Kate Mars, 62, from Beverley, who said: “I just think he’s a modern-day hero. He’s done what people dream of but he’s got up and done it in incredibly adverse circumstances.
“I’m a traveller and I’ve been around the world a bit and I know how difficult it is when you’re away from home on your own, but he’s just done it and relied on the kindness of others and I’ve seen that everywhere – 99 per cent of people are the best.
“I just wanted to give him a clap and say I’m proud of you and I’m proud you’re from Hull. He’s coming home to his Mam’s – I just love that.”
ENDURANCE: Crossing Alaska. Picture: Karl Bushby
Karl, a former paratrooper, was a fresh-faced 28-year-old when he set off from Punta Arenas in Chile on November 1, 1998. He initially thought the journey might take him 12 years.
Karl had two simple rules he has strictly adhered to throughout his odyssey – not to use any form of transport to advance and not to return home until he had finished.
He has endured some of the most inhospitable environments on earth on a journey in which he has evaded capture in a war zone, been arrested and jailed, and fallen in love. But he has never broken his rules of travelling every yard under his own steam, whether that meant walking, climbing, swimming or crawling.
STARTING OUT: In Chile on the Pan American Highway. Picture: Karl Bushby
If Karl had to abandon his route for any reason – whether through an expiring visa, a brush with the authorities or the Covid pandemic – he planted a metaphorical flag on the spot he had reached and went back as soon as he could to carry on.
He arrived back in the UK last month after swimming the Channel. His request to use the Channel Tunnel was denied.
Along the way Karl has accomplished some astonishing feats that on their own would set him apart as one of the one of the most courageous, resilient and resourceful of explorers.
They include his 2006 crossing of the Bering Strait – which he did with French ultramarathon runner Dimitri Kieffer – to get from the US to Russia, and swimming the Caspian Sea.
He has also been threatened at gunpoint, deported from Russia, had a near death experience with a polar bear and hidden in the jungle to elude FARC guerrillas. At one point he walked for three days over the Andes on just one banana.
He began with “very basic kit” and just $500 US dollars in his pocket.