The True Story of Karl Bushby’s Walk Around the World

In the high plains of Bolivia, Karl Bushby faced a unique challenge. Altitude sickness hit like a wall—dizzying, nauseating, and relentless. He walked through wide, sweeping valleys over 12,000 feet above sea level, lungs working overtime for every breath.

Headaches pulsed behind his eyes, and food became harder to hold down. But he didn’t turn back. Locals gave him cocoa leaves to chew, and he learned to slow his pace, allowing his body to adapt to the thinner air. The Andes weren’t brutal in the same way as ice or deserts, but they demanded quiet endurance.