踏破

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 踏破 is read as とうは and means traversing a difficult or long route all the way to completion.
• Basic usage: It applies to a survey team walking an entire rugged mountain route or a person completing a long pilgrimage within a stated period.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Covering the entire route
  • 山道を徒歩で踏破する means walking the whole rugged mountain route, not merely part of it. Example: 調査隊は険しい山道を徒歩で踏破した。
• Completing a long route
  • 巡礼路を踏破する likewise emphasizes completing the long pilgrimage route. Example: 彼女は長い巡礼路を一か月で踏破した。