Educational Philosophy:

Educate. Inspire. Empower.

Victorinox Swiss Army passionately believes in respecting and preserving nature, ensuring that generations to come can share in the natural beauty of our world.

Inspiring people to embrace challenge with optimism, humility, and responsible action is the mission of the Victorinox North Pole '09 Expedition and climate change awareness education is at its foundation. John and Tyler believe that through their lifelong commitment as educators and, sharing their experiences to inspire others, they can bring awareness to the issues that are at the core of this challenging endeavor.

Working with education partners Reach the World and The Will Steger Foundation, the expedition creates a living link with the Arctic Ocean and the North Pole, told through a captivating narrative full of possibilities for classroom applications.

During the fall of 2008 and early winter of 2009, John and Tyler visited schools throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Chicago area – including several Chicago public schools - to share their message and the significance of the Victorinox North Pole '09 Expedition. John and Tyler present a personal connection to climate change awareness and activism that touches the lives of the children they speak to. The expedition blog, climate change curriculum and post expedition follow-up visits make this a unique and inspiring educational experience. Project partner Reach the World provides hands-on project interns to ensure that presentation content is effectively transferred to the classroom and is complemented by the climate change curriculum from The Will Steger Foundation.

Links:

Tyler Fish speaking at a local elementary school.	A kindergartener proudly holds up a thank you letter to John.
John Huston standing at the geographic South Pole where he can plant their flag.	Taking a swim in the freezing waters with a special thermal suit.

Geography: North Pole '09 Expedition

The North Pole and Arctic Ocean can be a daunting place. Hindered by sub-zero temperatures, months of limited daylight followed by months without darkness, and erratic weather, conditions here are not always welcoming. During the course of this expedition travel conditions could be intensely sunny, depressingly overcast, windy with blowing snow, whiteout, foggy, or a mixture of all. It’s unpredictable at best.

Drifting Ice

The sea ice in the Arctic is constantly moving, driven by changing ocean currents and the whims of the wind. Maneuvering this shifting landscape will be one of the greatest challenges of the expedition as the ice will actually be drifting backward as John and Tyler ski forward.

Rubble and Pressure Ridges

The Arctic Ocean is an obstacle course of debris and pressure ridges formed when ice sheets collide with the northernmost parts of Canada. Navigation through this terrain is a constantly changing challenge, requiring John and Tyler to pull their sleds over and around the frozen masses.

Survival

Injuries in the Arctic could bring the expedition to a halt. Hypothermia, polar bears, and freezing waters beneath thin ice could change the course of the expedition all together.