A journey of six million steps
Grant Christie walks almost the entire South African coastline on foot.
An ancient Chinese proverb says the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Pretoria-born Grant Christie’s journey began with a somewhat hesitant step out of his stable job as a civil engineer.
The ‘Six Million Steps’ project was born and more than a year later Christie has traversed almost the entire South African coastline on foot, with just a rucksack and a cheerful disposition.
This week Christie’s journey brought him to Ballito following a five-hour, 18km walk from Umdloti.
“Even during my studies I knew I did not want to be an engineer for the rest of my life. I resigned in April last year and started walking at the Orange River Mouth on the border of Namibia and SA, in December last year. I have walked around 3100km already.”
“I cannot tell you how simple life has become, with just a rucksack just light enough for me to carry only the things I need to survive. I have seen the best of South Africa in ways I never imagined, from a breathtaking sunset on the West Coast to the stunning beaches of the North Coast. Some people want to travel the world but they do not know the beauty in our backyard.”
Some days Christie starts walking with no idea of where he will sleep that night. Though many kind families and hotels have taken him in he has spent many nights in his tent, listening to the sounds of nature.
He has had one serious injury, falling off a cliff at Herald’s Bay. It only set him back a few days before he was back on the path.
“There have been days when I have lost the path, kicked my toe and had to swim across a river or climb a cliff, when I ask myself what on earth I am doing. But I am grateful for this chance to follow my dream. I do not regret my civil engineering background, if anything that knowledge helps me in the wild.”
Christie’s Six Million Steps journey is endorsed by the Wilderness Foundation and Christie is raising awareness for several of their projects along the way.
His journey will end in roughly 400km at Kosi Bay, on the border of Mozambique and South Africa.
“My goal has been to inspire. When this journey is finished I might write a book, but who knows what the future holds? That is for Future Grant to worry about!”
Follow his journey at www.sixmillionsteps.co.za or on FaceBook ‘Six Million Steps’, or on Twitter @6millionsteps.
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