Alexander Campbell is a long-distance hiker on a mission – he’s circumnavigating the world on his own two feet.

 

On the 12th of February, Alexander left his home in Sydney to begin his World Walk Expedition – a 40,000km hiking journey, which will span 30 countries and four continents, before finishing back in Sydney in four years’ time.

Alexander with his Mum and Dad

Departing from the steps of the Sydney Opera House last week

At 27 years old, Alexander plans to walk the journey completely self-supported, which means everything he needs will be carried on his back. 

His planned path leads him northbound up Australia’s East Coast and across to Darwin, before he continues on through South East and Central Asia, across southern Europe, over to Central America, from south to north USA, with a final leg in the Pacific as he walks the length of New Zealand, over to Tassie, and back up to Sydney once more. That’s a mouthful let alone a leg-ful!

 

Fundraising for Fred Hollows Foundation

Over the course of his walk, Alexander is raising funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation, to help restore sight to people who are needlessly blind.

The Fred Hollows Foundation has restored sight to over 3 million people in the world and operates in over 25 countries, many of which Alexander will walk through on his journey.

Not His First Rodeo

Alexander is no rookie when it comes to long stretches of time spent on the trail. He’s completed the 800km Colorado Trail, hiked 1,600km over the length of Nepal on the Great Himalaya Trail, and recently walked 3,750km from the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, back to Sydney.

With plenty of practice, he’s also got a bunch of theory behind him too, having written a thesis that examines the experiences of long-distance hikers as they reintegrate into society post-hike, which saw him receive First Class Honours in Anthropology from the University of Sydney. 

If anyone can spend almost 1,500 days walking, it’s probably Alexander Campbell. 

Follow Along and Support

You can track Alexander’s progress using the live map on the World Walk Expedition website, or follow all the action through Alexander’s Instagram (@alexander_campbell) and Facebook (World Walk Expedition) accounts.

If you’d like to support Alexander’s cause and the Fred Hollows Foundation through the fundraiser page. In some countries, a donation of $25 is enough to restore someone’s sight, so every donation is precious.

If you’d prefer to support Alexander directly to help him complete his walk, he’s accepting donations through Paypal.

 

Photos thanks to World Walk Expedition