National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek on his trek around the globe on foot

Key Concepts

• Out of Eden Walk: Paul Salopek’s multi-year, 21,000-mile (approximately 34,000 km) walking journey retracing the migratory routes of the first humans out of Africa.
• Depopulation of Rural Areas: The significant decline in population in the countryside of South Korea and Japan due to urbanization and globalization.
• Container Shipping & Globalization: The role of massive container ships in the global supply chain and the lives of the seafarers who operate them.
• Climate Change Impacts in Alaska: The visible and accelerating effects of climate change, particularly glacial melt and its impact on ecosystems, along the Alaskan coastline.
• Following First Peoples’ Pathways: The expedition’s core principle of mirroring the routes and methods of early human migration.

The Out of Eden Walk: A Journey Through Landscapes and Cultures

Introduction & Journey Overview

Since 2013, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been undertaking the “Out of Eden Walk,” a monumental journey on foot from the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia to the southern tip of South America. The expedition aims to retrace the ancient migratory paths of early humans, offering a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of humanity and the planet. As of the interview, Salopek is over halfway complete, having traversed China, South Korea, Japan, and Alaska, and has now entered the Western Hemisphere. His dispatches provide detailed observations of the landscapes, cultures, and challenges encountered along the way.

China: A 2.5-Year Immersion (2013-2016)

Salopek dedicated 2.5 years and over 4,000 miles (approximately 6,400 km) to walking across China, a distance comparable to Los Angeles to New York or Chicago to Paris. This journey spanned diverse terrains, from Himalayan rainforests to the snowy forests of Manchuria near Russia. A key takeaway from this segment was the sheer diversity of China, allowing Salopek to move beyond typical journalistic “bubbles” and engage with ordinary citizens daily. He emphasized the privilege of these everyday interactions, providing a nuanced understanding of the country beyond headlines.

East Asia: Emptiness and Isolation in South Korea & Japan

The subsequent leg of the journey through South Korea and Japan revealed a striking trend: the depopulation of rural areas. This phenomenon, driven by hyper-urbanization and globalization, resulted in vast stretches of empty countryside. Salopek recounted instances of walking 25 miles and encountering only three people, forcing him to revert to self-sufficiency – carrying all necessary supplies and camping – reminiscent of his experiences in Central Asia and Saudi Arabia. He described the landscape as “post-apocalyptic,” highlighting the profound sense of isolation.

The Pacific Crossing & Container Ship Experience

Due to the closure of the Siberian migration route (resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), Salopek was forced to utilize a container ship to cross the North Pacific Ocean. This 11-day journey, traveling at 15 miles per hour aboard a 300-meter-long vessel carrying 4,000 containers, provided a unique insight into the mechanics of globalization. He observed the vital, yet often unseen, role of seafarers in transporting goods worldwide, describing the ship as a “giant moving warehouse.” This detour allowed him to continue following the pathways of ancient peoples who first populated the world.

Alaska’s Lost Coast: Wilderness and Climate Change

The Alaskan portion of the walk, along the “Lost Coast,” proved to be a particularly impactful experience. This 300-mile stretch of wild coastline featured spruce forests, glaciers, and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose. Beyond the natural beauty, Salopek observed the dramatic effects of climate change firsthand, noting the rapid melting of glaciers and its impact on river systems and salmon ecology. He quoted experts describing the area as “the geology of the future,” a living laboratory demonstrating the consequences of a changing climate.

Return to the Western Hemisphere & Future Plans

Salopek’s return to the United States, a decade after his last visit (December 2012, during Obama’s second inauguration and the public launch of Twitter), felt disorienting. He likened his experience to awakening after a long sleep to a drastically changed world. His next phase involves transitioning to a sea kayak to traverse approximately 1,000 miles south along the coast, mirroring the watercraft used by the early peoples he is following, and battling the elements of the sea instead of the land.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Salopek: “It was kind of spooky. It was like walking through a post-apocalyptic landscape.” (Describing the depopulation of rural East Asia)
• Expert (as quoted by Paul Salopek): “This is the geology of the future.” (Referring to the visible impacts of climate change in Alaska)
• Paul Salopek: “I feel a little bit like… a guy who has come back like rumpelstiltskin, come awake under a tree after a lifetime and the world has changed around them.” (Reflecting on his return to the U.S.)

Technical Terms & Concepts

• Great Rift Valley: A series of contiguous geological trench systems, running approximately 6,000 km (3,700 mi) in length, that forms a zone of active tectonic plate movement. The origin point of the Out of Eden Walk.
• Hyper-urbanization: A rapid and significant increase in the proportion of a population living in urban areas.
• Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): A land buffer zone separating North and South Korea.
• Container Ship: A cargo ship specifically designed to carry standardized shipping containers.

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The interview demonstrates a clear progression of Salopek’s journey, highlighting how each segment builds upon the previous one. The initial focus on cultural immersion in China transitions to an exploration of societal shifts in East Asia, then to a logistical challenge and a glimpse into global trade via the container ship, and finally to a stark confrontation with the realities of climate change in Alaska. Throughout, the overarching theme of retracing the paths of early human migration provides a unifying narrative.

The “Out of Eden Walk” is more than just a physical journey; it’s a profound exploration of human history, cultural change, and the environmental challenges facing our planet. Salopek’s detailed observations and personal reflections offer a unique and valuable perspective on the interconnectedness of the world and the enduring legacy of our ancestors. The project’s continued dispatches, available at outofedenwalk.com, promise further insights into this remarkable undertaking.