Think the winters in DeKalb get cold? Imagine walking 500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean towards the North Pole in temperatures that reach 60 degrees below zero.

That is exactly what Northwestern graduate John Huston and his partner Tyler Fish set out to do in a 55 day expedition starting in early March 2009.

Huston gave a presentation to about 25 guests at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., chronicling the adventure.

“We did this journey unsupported and unassisted so we were all alone out there with no airdrops or checkpoints,” Huston said. “Everything we started out with was to last us the entire trip.”

Huston talked about the dangers they faced like battling the frigid temperatures, exhausting days of dragging 200-pound sleds for miles at a time and even a fear of polar bears.

“On day 47 I fell through some thin ice after misjudging the thickness and maybe being a little too gung-ho,” Huston said. “I had to travel the rest of the day in damp clothes and was worried about getting frostbite.”

Food was also a major problem for Huston, who enjoys a good meal and is constantly hungry.

“I would eat several make believe meals a day and dreamed of eating cheeseburgers,” Huston said. “On average we ate 7,000 calories a day, mostly butter, rice, deep fried bacon, nuts, and pemmican, which is a type of meat.”

During the final push to the pole, the duo slept only three hours over the final 66 hours and finally reached the North Pole 10 hours ahead of schedule with only 1 meal remaining, Huston said.

“I have known John since high school and we are lucky and proud to have him give this presentation at our museum,” said Molly Holman, executive director of the Midwest Museum of Natural History.

Huston also gave his presentation to Sycamore Middle School students as a daytime program.

“I was lucky enough to see both presentations and found it fascinating,” said Marianne Holcomb a Sycamore Middle School teacher.

Huston emphasized that teamwork and a good group dynamic made for a successful expedition.

“There are a lot of things out of your control in life and in expeditions,” Huston said. “Accept these situations and adapt to them and any person can reach their own North Pole.”