Reaching out to type 1 diabetic mountaineers

I have been a type 1 diabetic for the past 17 years, an avid rock climber for the past 6-7, and the last week of July, will hopefully be standing on top of Mt Rainier. My management of diabetes is in control, my numbers are usually great, and I have a system that works well for me when I climb and am active. I am mainly a single pitch rock climber who has never experienced altitudes higher than 10,000 feet or the rigorous mountaineering life. I am reaching out to the diabadass mountaineering community for some insight as to what works for you. What management works best for you (pump, syringes, omnipod)? What do you use for fast acting carbs on the mountain? Have you noticed any affects from altitude on blood glucose or insulin sensitivity? How do you prevent lows with the extended increase of activity (decrease basal, suspend)? Any and all comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!

I'll pm you later with details, but doing epic missions while diabetic is great! When I did el cap last year I basically become un diabetic for 5 days! Then in the bugs it was the same thing except for 2 weeks! Just make sure you keep eating. The lows are the issue, not the highs.

By now you are back from Rainier and hopefully had a good time. Plenty of Type 1 boots have tread over the summit and back down via a variety of routes. I was part of a group of Type 1 climbers who slogged up Aconcagua together fifteen years ago. Our organization (idea2000) and its website have been gone for a long time, but a network of active Type 1s is now mostly on FaceBook at Mountains for Active Diabetics. Steve Reichert has been climbing and writing beautifully, too. Look for his website. David Panofsky

I'll 2nd Ryan on this. Lows are usually the problem. I half the # of units of my long lasting insulin for wall climbing or big alpine car to car days.