Will Cross a type 1 diabetic has made the South Summit of Everest!

©Brad Clement

Update May 31st: Will Cross reached the South Summit of Mt Everest, while this is not the top, is a great achievement for a type 1 diabetic. Will has called in and stated he only went as far as the South Summit of Everest and turned around because of high winds... For a type 1 diabetic, this is beyond what many can dream.

Will Cross is back at camp 4...

Contact Todd at EverestSpeakersBureau.com 865-525-8008 for more

Update May 30th: Will Cross was at Camp 4 and is expected to be heading up right now to the Summit. Several others teams are also at camp 4. Will has Sherpas support. Will Cross if successful, will become the type 1 diabetic to Summit Mt Everest!

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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