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Press Release
Out of Eden Walk Global Storytelling Journey Arrives in North America
National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek to walk through North America and continue building an unparalleled narrative of shared human connection
Photo by John Stanmeyer, National Geographic
Anchorage, Alaska (October 20, 2025) — After more than a decade of storytelling, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is setting foot on his home continent — North America — as part of Out of Eden Walk, his incredible walking odyssey retracing human migration out of Africa. Following the trails blazed by humans during the Stone Age, Salopek will walk more than 7,000 miles in North and South America, while sharing stories about how everyday people live out the major stories of our day. Arriving in North America is a milestone that marks the halfway point of the 24,000-mile Out of Eden Walk, which is supported by the National Geographic Society and began in 2013.
Salopek’s three-year journey in North America will start in Alaska, and he’ll trek toward the southernmost point of South America, Tierra del Fuego — an archipelago shared by Argentina and Chile — what archaeologists believe is the final point of earliest human migrations in the Western Hemisphere.
"Stepping into the Americas represents the closing of a circle,” said Paul Salopek, National Geographic Explorer, Out of Eden Walk founder and main contributor. “I started the walk more than 12 years ago on the African continent, which had been my home for nearly a decade as a foreign correspondent. Now, I'll be entering horizons of even deeper memory — walking the landscapes of my birthplace. I'm sure the experience will be complex, but I look forward to this rediscovery.”
After several years of walking in Africa and Asia, the North American leg of Salopek’s global trek will take him through the sprawling wilderness of Alaska. He has already trekked the lonesome beaches of the Outer Coast and will soon navigate the 1,000-mile-long shorelines and islands of the Inside Passage. As he navigates the vast, rugged landscapes, Salopek will encounter summery alpine meadows teeming with vibrant wildflowers, gleaming glacial mountains and dense coastal forest. The rich ecosystems are home to a wide range of wildlife, such as moose, grizzly bears, wolves, sea otters, bald eagles, hawks and millions of migratory salmon.
To navigate these complex landscapes, local expertise is critical. In addition to his walking partners — local community members who have offered Salopek expert insights and logistical support across every phase of his global trek —- Salopek will be accompanied by his first-ever “paddling partners” in Alaska, who will join his traverse during the segments covered by sea kayak.
“Traveling with Paul is like seeing the world through new eyes,” said Bill Romberg, a wildlife professional and Out of Eden Walk partner. “His acceptance of uncertainty and trust in humanity leads to a feeling of patience and encourages one to slow down and see the beauty that exists all around us.”
Throughout his long walk in Alaska, Salopek will use deep history — including oral histories — to determine his route through the landscape. He hopes to consult with experts on ancient migrations and the latest evidence of the people inhabiting the Americas; record lifeways in the diverse modern communities along his trail; report on the climate crisis in dynamic landscapes like Glacier Bay National Park; and more.
“My walk with Paul was so healing,” said Yaari Walker, a Yupik traditional healer from St. Lawrence Island and Out of Eden Walk walking partner. “Learning and knowing his experiences with people from the world helped me better understand my ancestors who used to travel thousands of miles. It’s very powerful!”
To cross from the Eastern to Western Hemisphere, Salopek took passage aboard a Maersk container ship on its 4,000-mile journey across the northern Pacific Ocean from Yokohama, Japan, to Prince Rupert, Canada. During the eleven-day transit, Salopek sailed beside a globally diverse crew of sailors who shepherded more than 7,000 shipping containers holding hundreds of thousands of consumer items originating from across the world. Crossing the sea by ship was a deliberate choice, Salopek said, as it mirrored the maritime migrations of our ancestors.
Once out of Alaska, Salopek will travel through British Columbia, Canada, and eventually walk through the lower 48 states following the Continental Divide, taking him through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
“This moment represents a sort of homecoming for Paul,” said Kaitlin Yarnall, the National Geographic Society’s chief storytelling officer. “I’m eager to see how his stories prompt readers to rediscover North America through the fresh eyes of a global nomad.”
Salopek will then journey through Central and South America. When finished, Salopek will have navigated some of the most diverse regions in the world, from the glacier-carved sub-Arctic coastlines to sweltering tropical rainforests. He will encounter people from all walks of life and backgrounds, weaving their unique experiences into a tapestry of our shared human story in this moment of time.
About Out of Eden Walk
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is retracing our ancestors’ ancient migration on foot out of Africa and across the globe. His 24,000-mile, multiyear odyssey began in Ethiopia — our evolutionary “Eden” — in January 2013 and will end at the tip of South America. Supported by the National Geographic Society, Salopek is engaging with the major stories of our time, from climate change and technological innovation to mass migration and cultural survival. As he traverses the globe at the measured pace of his footsteps, he reveals the texture of the lives of the people he encounters — nomads, villagers, traders, farmers and fishermen who seldom make the news. When this journey ends, this project will have pieced together a global mosaic of stories, faces, sounds and sights — an unparalleled archive of our shared humanity at the start of a new millennium.
Attributable quotes for press
Julia Payne, Executive Director of Out of Eden Walk: “The enduring significance of Salopek’s work lies in its power to connect people across borders. As he enters the Americas, he will continue to share the journey through narratives that inform, inspire, surprise, and, ultimately, unite us.”
Phil Norris, Expedition Guide and Potato Farmer in Alaska, Out of Eden Walk walking partner: “Walking with Paul from Beluga Point to Anchorage offered a much-needed respite from a fast-paced life as a wilderness guide. Deep conversations and the simple act of slow exploration highlighted the profound benefits of slowing down and rediscovering the world.”
Rowan Sharman, Out of Eden Walk walking partner: “When I learned what Paul is doing, I knew immediately that I wanted to be the one to introduce him to the Outer Coast. I've had the privilege of learning this spectacular and commanding landscape throughout my life, and walking with Paul brought yet another dimension to the country.”
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About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
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