ON THIN ICE | | Karl is walking 36,000 miles around the world |
Step aside Phileas Fogg, Karl Bushby, an ex-paratrooper from Hull, has embarked upon a round the world trip of epic proportions. But it's not going to take him 80 days, it's going to take him 12 years, because Karl is travelling around the world on foot. Inside Out joins Karl in Alaska on the most perilous leg of his journey. Thirty-six thousand miles across four continents, taking in 25 countries, crossing a frozen sea, six deserts and seven mountain ranges in one non-stop journey on foot. It may sound like madness to most, but to 36-year-old Karl, it's a life's ambition and if he succeeds, he will become the first person to complete an unbroken, round the world walk. Tough challenge | Karl is heading west from Tanana
Image courtesy if earthtrekuk.net
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Karl began this epic world record attempt on November 1, 1998. Already he has survived snake infested Columbian rivers, the Arizona desert and a 3,000 mile trek through the Canadian Rockies. With 15,000 miles completed and 21,000 more miles to go Karl admits he is about to face his toughest challenge yet.
"The next stage ahead of me, the Bering Straits, is a little alarming to say the least. "I know the chances are against me," Inside Out catches up with Karl in Fairbanks Alaska, where he has been gathering all the necessary equipment he needs to make the 850 mile journey westward, across Alaska to Cape Prince of Wales and the Bering Straits.  | | Karl tests the immersion suit in a trial run |
Straight across the Straits From the gold rush town of Nome, Karl will leave civilisation and make the 57 mile journey across the Bering Straits to Russia. This is a journey that native people of the region used to make to trade each winter, but it is fraught with danger as Karl will have to swim part of the way. Hank Irelan knows the Straits better than most and has helped several previous expeditions in their attempts to cross it - all were unsuccessful. "You're talking about a very dangerous adventure," warns Hank. "You've got wind-chill, hypothermia, he could be out of it in a couple of minutes." An immersion suit designed for Polar explorers will keep Karl alive in the water. Despite being a minor celebrity in Alaska, some locals are doubtful whether Karl will accomplish this treacherous crossing. "There's a lot of sceptical people around here," explains Karl.  | Crossing the Bering Straits is Karl's toughest challenge yet
Image courtesy if earthtrekuk.net
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"But they live and work here and they know how bad it can get." My knapsack on my backFood and other basic supplies are all acquired en route so his supply needs have shaped the route in detail. Karl's stores and equipment are pulled on a sled. "It's very hard work going up hill," says Karl. "There's probably about 300lbs in the sled. "Every step of the way is going to be hard work." | KARL'S PROGRESS | |
12 January 2005
Karl is in Manley Hot Springs for a few days getting re supplied. In his own words he has had a hell of a first few weeks, the weather and terrain has really taken it out of him making it over Tolovana Hot Springs via the designed route. He was forced to retreat up to Livenood and from there down to Manley on a road (which he now wish he had taken all the way from Fairbanks) however if he had he would not have learned the many lessons he did doing things the hard way. The reality of this terrain has hit home and walking timings for this winter are being readjusted. It's a battle just to make it to the next village. He arrived in Manley at night Temp -45C and has already lost 12lbs in weight where the sled has not! Next planned stop is Tanana about five days away. This will depend on the snow fall over the next few days, people are using the track so it should be good. He has learned just how much only a few inches of snow can make all the difference in the world when it comes to pulling! "Going west going strong"! Source: earthtrekuk.net |
The sled contains two week's supply of dried, high calorie food. Whilst Karl is still in civilisation he is making the most of it and enjoying a rare hot meal in a saloon - dried food becomes very monotonous. Forty degrees belowWith temperatures between -20 and -45 degrees centigrade, Karl is now acclimatised to the bleak conditions. But frostbite is a very real concern as one ex-paratrooper recalls. "Wearing the wrong footwear can be pretty fatal if you're by yourself. It can be damn nasty." Frostbite can happen very quickly, at any temperature below zero degrees centigrade. The lower the temperature, the quicker the damage occurs and windy conditions increase the risk. It's the extremities, the fingers, toes, face, ears, and nose, which are affected most often. Homeward boundWith the dangers of frostbite, hypothermia and polar bears, the odds are very much staked against Karl, but that does little to quell his enthusiasm. Despite the doubts of many locals and experts, Karl insists he will only be heading home once his journey is complete.
"When I'm standing in France, looking at the entrance to the (Channel) Tunnel, I'll be saying to myself, 'I'm home, this is it'." But until then, for Karl, his mission remains his obsession.
"It's mission first, life second. I'll push it as far as I can." | 
听听Inside Out - Yorkshire & Lincolnshire: Monday January 17, 2005