Alexander Campbell on round-the-world hike for Fred Hollows Foundation
A man originally from the Sutherland Shire has embarked on an epic long-distance walk that will see him visit 30 countries. See his journey on our interactive map.
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When most people think about travelling around the world they would imagine going by plane but probably never dream of going on foot.
But one 27-year-old man who grew up in the Sutherland Shire has embarked on a four-year hike that will see him walk 40,000km across 30 countries and four continents.
And the reason?
Because Alexander Campbell or Zan, as he is known to his family, simply says “I really like walking”.
The trip will raise much-needed funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation, which treats and prevents blindness and other vision problems across the world.
Mr Campbell started his epic journey from the Opera House last week and made his way through western Sydney to Penrith and onto the Blue Mountains.
“I love the lifestyle. I get nice views,” he said.
“I am now on the national trail which goes up north and then I will cut across to Darwin.
“It is a well established trail where people walk, ride horses and cycle.”
Mr Campbell said he did not get blisters or soreness because he was a seasoned walker.
He loves long-distance hiking and has already completed the 800km Colorado Trail, 1600km Great Himalaya Trail and a 3750km hike from the Flinders Ranges to Sydney.
“I wanted to do something bigger than I had done before, across multiple years and it snowballed from there to the point I said ‘why not do the whole world’,” Mr Campbell said.
“I was looking at different long distance hiking trails to do on the walk and I had to plan when to go to countries in the best seasons.
“By the time I am in far north Queensland and the Northern Territory it will be winter which is a good season to visit.
“Once I get to Nepal and India I won’t be able to go through those countries in winter.”
Mr Campbell said the longest he has ever walked in a day was about 74 kilometres but had been averaging about 40 to 50 kilometres daily before he sets up camp.
The rough schedule will see him walk for four years but he will adjust if he gets injured, has severe weather or “gets tired of walking”.
Mr Campbell said he saved up before embarking on his journey, but would be living on the “bare minimum” throughout the walk.
He also received a grant from Australian Geographic.
Mr Campbell, who grew up in Yowie Bay, said he was still unsure how he would travel between continents but would love to go via boat rather than by plane
He chose the Fred Hollows Foundation because he wanted to raise money for a charity that worked in the countries he was travelling through.
“I wanted to give back to the communities I was passing through,” Mr Campbell said.
There are currently 43 million people in the world living with blindness but more than 90 per cent of vision loss is preventable or treatable.
Asia, where Mr Campbell’s journey will cross, has the largest number of people with blindness in the world.
Mr Campbell has raised more than $5500 for The Foundation.
To donate to his cause, visit: fundraise.hollows.org/fundraisers/alexandercampbell/world-walk-expedition
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Originally published as Alexander Campbell on round-the-world hike for Fred Hollows Foundation
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