He Left Minnesota and Became the First Man To Walk Around the World: A 14,450 Mile Journey!
A 4-year walk across 13 countries ended in tragedy, and triumph. This is how one Minnesota man became the first to walk around the world. đ #News #StPaulMN #Minnesota #History
ST. PAUL, MN – David Kunst returned to Waseca, Minnesota fifty years ago this month. Why was this a big deal in 1974? He had just completed what no one else had officially achievedâcircumnavigating the globe entirely on foot! Covering 14,450 miles through 13 countries, the journey took four years and forever changed the course of his life. Along the way, he encountered unexpected fame, heartbreaking loss, and moments of profound personal transformation.
What began as a dream shared by two brothers became a global journey that tested their endurance, brought them face-to-face with danger, and altered the course of Davidâs life forever.
A Dream Takes Shape in a Minnesota Theater
David and his younger brother John Kunst first imagined the walk while chatting in a movie theater projection room in Waseca, Minnesota. What started as musings about adventure soon grew into a fully formed plan: the brothers decided to leave behind their ordinary lives and walk around the world. Inspired by a shared desire to escape the routine of modern life, they aimed to prove human determination could still triumph over the mundane.
They began their trek on June 20, 1970, walking 1,500 miles from Minnesota to New York City. From there, they would fly to Portugal and continue their journey across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Their ambitious goal was to raise money for UNICEF along the way, although the total amount collected would ultimately be modest.
Setting Out with a Mule and Big Hopes
The brothers’ adventure began with community support and a little bit of luck. Local bankers offered financial backing, while letters from prominent politicians like Hubert Humphrey opened doors abroad. Even their muleânamed Willie Make Itâwas an idea suggested by a well-meaning stranger, intended to carry their supplies and prove they werenât hitchhiking.
As they left Waseca on a rainy day in 1970, locals gathered to cheer them on, though not everyone was enthusiastic. Some wondered how David could leave his wife and three children behind for such an outlandish mission. Yet many people they met along the way expressed admirationâand perhaps a bit of envyâfor their daring pursuit of freedom and adventure.
Famous Faces and Unpredictable Paths Across Europe
David and Johnâs journey took them across Europe, where their accommodations ranged from strangers’ homes to campsites and, once, even a night in an Ohio jail. Along the way, they encountered Princess Grace of Monaco, who showed an amused curiosity about their mule, and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, whose pioneering spirit resonated with their own quest. These encounters were highlights in an otherwise grueling journey through foreign landscapes and unfamiliar cultures.
Despite setbacks, the brothers pressed on. By 1971, they had crossed France, Spain, and the Balkans, relying on letters of introduction to secure food and shelter. They documented their progress with signatures from local mayors and carried on despite the challenges of crossing Cold War-era borders.
Tragedy in Afghanistan: A Life-Changing Loss
The journey took a tragic turn in 1972 as the brothers crossed Afghanistan. After days of walking through harsh terrain, a group of bandits ambushed them, mistaking the brothers for wealthy travelers. David was shot in the chest, and John was killed during the attack. With his brother gone and seriously injured himself, David pretended to be dead until the attackers left. Eventually, he was rescued by passing soldiers and taken to Kabul for medical treatment.
The loss of John was devastating. David returned to Minnesota to recover, but he was determined to finish what they had started. In 1973, his brother Pete stepped in to fulfill an earlier promise: if anything happened to one of the original walkers, he would take their place and continue the journey.
A New Partner, New Challenges, and Unforeseen Love
David and Pete picked up the trail in Afghanistan, crossing into Pakistan with the help of armed escorts. Hopes of walking through China were dashed by diplomatic roadblocks, forcing them to reroute through India and Australia instead. The brothers faced relentless heat, illness, and difficult terrain, but they pushed forward.
In Australia, a fateful encounter altered the course of Davidâs life. He met an Australian schoolteacher, and the two quickly formed a connection. By the time the brothers reached Sydney, Davidâs marriage to his first wife was effectively over. The journey may have taken him across the globe, but it also led him to a new chapter in his personal life.
The Final Miles: Coming Home to a Mixed Reception
David completed the final leg of the walk through the western United States alone, as Pete returned home partway through Australia. By the time David reached Minnesota in October 1974, some of the early enthusiasm for his journey had soured. A candid interview in Nebraska, where David expressed frustration with small-town life and his marriage, stirred controversy. Some supporters distanced themselves, but others admired his honesty.
Despite the mixed reactions, a crowd gathered to welcome him back to Waseca. Joined by Pete and old friends, David crossed the finish line, marking the completion of a 14,450-mile odyssey that had taken four years and cost his brotherâs life.
A Legacy of Adventure and Transformation
David Kunstâs journey around the world was not just a test of endurance but a transformative experience that shaped the rest of his life. After his return, he moved to California, married the Australian teacher he met on the road, and continued to pursue adventure through travel and writing. Though others have since walked around the world, David remains the first verified person to do so.
Fifty years later, his story still resonates as a testament to human perseverance and the pursuit of dreams. The walk around the world may have ended, but the impact of those 14,450 miles is still feltâproof that the most extraordinary journeys begin with a single step.
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