In addition to the tons of supplies needed for any mountain climbing expedition, IDEA 2000 team members will carry glucagon, a rapid-acting hormone injection to counteract insulin reactions. Then there's a different type of medication that will be needed in large quantities. The reason why water is such a concern is people need a lot more water at altitude. The average person needs four liters a day just to keep up. When you're exercising it's even more.
Water is one of the treatments for very high blood sugar because it helps dilute the high sugar.
We'll have to get it from streams. Of the various routes to the top of Aconcagua, the group plans to do what is known as the Polish Direct route across a stretch of the mountain called the Polish Glacier that features steep snow and ice. Most of the climbers will fly home Jan. 20 or 21. Almost any of the routes are an incredible challenge for anyone who goes there. But being we're diabetics adds another element.