First person with Type I diabetes to climb Everest

The first person with Type I diabetes to climb Everest (8,848 m; 29,029 ft) was Geri Winkler (Austria), who reached the summit from the south side on 20 May 2006 at 8:50 a.m.. Attempting to climb Everest can be demanding enough, but is even more challenging for diabetics. People with Type I diabetes do not naturally produce insulin, so must take it every day. Lower-than-normal blood-sugar levels (hypoglycemia) can send them into a coma; moreover, they are particularly susceptible to dehydration, frostbite and harmful bacteria, all of which a climber on Everest can experience.

Just three days after Geri Winkler climbed Everest, Will Cross (USA), who also lives with Type I diabetes, reached the summit.