Mt. Everest 2005: Will Cross a type 1 diabetic takes on Everest: Cat and mouse

©Brad Clement

Update: Will Cross – Calm seems to have finally returned to the Everest Base Camp after two fatalities in two weeks and just recently an avalanche in Camp One which destroyed most of the team’s tents and injured seven climbers, but the weather clamped down, heavy snows high up above, particularly on the Lhotse Face, shut us all down.  Teams who were in two ready to go to three also came down.  Winds are now dying, the jet stream seems to have consolidated, that means the pressure will change and summit windows are soon to open, perhaps as soon. So, we are now looking forward to going back up, reestablishing camps, making sure the lines are in, that the snow is clear.  Camp Four - many loads are up there, tents waiting to be set up for climbers to slowly inch their way across the yellow band, The Geneva Spur, wait hopefully at the Sol Col and then of course now waiting for the ropes to be fixed above Camp Four, all the way to the summit.  It’s a bit of a cat and mouse, some chess playing going on in terms of which teams are going to go up when, but there’s no denying the change in the weather and that means that summit windows should soon be approaching.  Diabetes going very well. My Insulin is acting as expected and that’s why I like it. Also using an insulin pump quite a bit more than I have on previous trips and that too is matching well with the diet and exercise.  I will check in once we start to approach the summit and we’ll talk then.

NovoLog Insulin, Kobold Watches and SummitOxygen are this years sponsors for my second go on Everest. The expedition is part of The NovoLog Peaks and Poles Challenge; my quest to climb the seven summits and reach both Poles.

Last year Brad Clement and I turned around at about 27,500. He had a retinal hemorrhage and my oxygen tank valve locked shut. Going down made the most sense then and still does today!

I have thought every day about that attempt and how this one will be different. I'd like to carry to C3, come down to C2 to rest and then go back up to better acclimatize. A rest day at C4, weather permitting, is another option. I will also wear my insulin pump beyond BC to keep the best blood sugars possible. My diabetes must remain in good control despite the punishment of an expedition; this, in turn will allow for faster recovery and better acclimatization. Will

Will Cross, who became the first person with diabetes to reach the South Pole, attempted to reach the summit of Mt. Everest on May 17, 2004, but was forced to turn back because of extreme exhaustion and a shortage of oxygen. As a type 1 diabetes patient, Will carefully controlled his blood glucose levels using NovoLog® insulin and long-acting Novolin®, and followed a carefully determined diet of 3,500 calories per day.  The climate of Mt. Everest is naturally extreme and at no time of the year does the temperature on the summit rise above freezing. Howling winds, little oxygen, avalanches and unpredictable weather also contribute to the severe conditions on the mountain. 

Will Cross is an educator and explorer who has learned that the secret to success is envisioning life and work as a series of challenging and inspiring adventures, with virtually endless opportunities to seize and mountains to embrace. As a world-class mountain climber and a much-sought-after motivational speaker, Will is uniquely qualified to use the exploration metaphor in his Will Cross motivates program to help individuals and organizations maximize both effort and performance.

Will Cross, Everest Climber, explorer, author and motivational speaker. To book Will e-mail

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