In 1983, British merchant seaman George Meegan completed the first ever crossing of the Western hemisphere…on foot!
Setting off in 1977, George walked 19,000 miles from the southern tip of Argentina to the northern tip of Alaska. En route he…
• burned through 13 pairs of hiking boots
• married his Japanese sweetheart
• became a father…twice!
• traversed the ‘impassable’ Darien Gap
• visited former President Jimmy Carter at his home
• got shot at, and chased by a one-legged gaucho
• garnered 8 World Records
Setting off in 1977, George walked 19,000 miles from the southern tip of Argentina to the northern tip of Alaska. En route he…
• burned through 13 pairs of hiking boots
• married his Japanese sweetheart
• became a father…twice!
• traversed the ‘impassable’ Darien Gap
• visited former President Jimmy Carter at his home
• got shot at, and chased by a one-legged gaucho
• garnered 8 World Records
1. The longest unbroken march of all time (19,019 miles).
2. The first and only crossing on foot of the entire western hemisphere.
3. The first and only crossing of South and Central America on foot.
4. The first and only traverse of all Latin America on foot.
5. The first and only walk from the Tropic of Capricorn, through the equator, to the Tropic of Cancer.
6. The first and only march between the equator and the Arctic Circle.
7. The first and only connection on foot between the Atlantic, Pacific, Southern, and Arctic oceans.
8. The most degrees of latitude ever covered on foot (125°08′).
2. The first and only crossing on foot of the entire western hemisphere.
3. The first and only crossing of South and Central America on foot.
4. The first and only traverse of all Latin America on foot.
5. The first and only walk from the Tropic of Capricorn, through the equator, to the Tropic of Cancer.
6. The first and only march between the equator and the Arctic Circle.
7. The first and only connection on foot between the Atlantic, Pacific, Southern, and Arctic oceans.
8. The most degrees of latitude ever covered on foot (125°08′).
TV & Radio Appearances
CNN Larry King Live
NBC Today Show
CBS Morning News
ABC Good Morning America
Accolades
George is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the honorary and sole holder of the Guinness ‘Champion Legs of Great Britain’ trophy. He has lectured at the New York Explorer’s Club (standing room only) and given numerous lectures worldwide.
