Most guys call their moms. Karl Bushby walked halfway around the planet to see his, which makes him the most committed mama’s boy on record.
On Nov. 1, 1998, Karl left Punta Arenas, Chile, the last stop before Antarctica, with $500 in his pocket and two rules: no rides, and no going home except on foot. The destination was his mom’s front door in Hull, England.
For most people, that’s 8,400 miles and a $500 ticket (no seat assignment) on LATAM, with a connection in Santiago. Karl spent his $500 on a 31,000-mile hike.
Along the way, he crossed the Darién Gap, the only place on Earth that makes summer construction on I-70 look efficient.
He also walked across the frozen Bering Strait. If you check the globe in your crawl space that you somehow acquired in sixth grade, it’s around the crease where the map got wrinkled, under the sticker that reads “Property of Mrs. Henderson’s Class.”
On Oct. 5, he swam the English Channel and set foot in England for the first time in more than 10,200 days. He had about 250 miles left when he came ashore.
So here’s our question: When he finally knocks on her door (expected later this month), will his mom answer? And if she does, will she remember he was on his way, or ask why he didn’t call first?
Yes, this really happened. Go here for our proof and a picture of Karl.