Around the world, one step at a time

On Saturday, 27-year-old Darren Wendell, hit the trail in North Georgia on the first leg of a seven-year backpacking trip that will ultimately take him 18,000 miles around the world.

The adventurer, backed by gear giant Kelty, is trying to raise awareness regarding the world's water woes. And you can bet this boy will get thirsty as he takes an estimated 36 million steps before it is all over. A 2003 graduate of Kentucky Christian University, Wendell will visit 14 different countries including Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Russia and Canada.

This isn't Wendell's first adventure. At age 23 he rode his bicycle from Oregon to Virginia Beach, a distance of 4,400 miles. "I have never felt so alive," he said. And sore, I'm sure.

But you have to hand it to this guy. His earth expedition is not just some idle quest. The world has some real water woes. Here in the United States, we tend to take clean water for granted. Just turn on he tap and have a drink. But spend some time in the back country - be it in a kayak, canoe or on foot - and suddenly you start wondering where the next watering hole will be.

We wish this hombre luck. He'll need it. You can follow his exploits on the earthexpedition website.