Dave started his journey in Waseca, Minnesota with his brother John, a letter of recommendation from US Senator Hubert Humphrey, a scroll to be signed by officials along the way, $1000 and a mule named Willie Makeit carrying camping supplies.

Dave and John walked across Europe and visited Monaco, where they met Princess Grace, and Italy, where they encountered Thor Heyerdahl.

During their travels, the brothers asked people to send donations to UNICEF; a reporter in Afghanistan mistakenly wrote that they collected and carried them.

After spending four months recovering from his injuries, Dave resumed his journey along with his brother Peter, from the spot where John was killed.

As they continued their travels, Dave and Peter were denied access to the Soviet Union, so they flew from India to Australia.