I.S.L.E.T. 2005

International Snow Leopard Expedition of Type 1 Diabetics

The ISLET 2005 Project
The primary objective of the ISLET project is to climb Pik Lenin, 7134 meters (23,407 feet), located in Central Asia's Pamir Range, by an international team of diabetic mountaineers. The expedition will include a team of diabetologists (endocrinologists specializing in diabetes) who will observe and monitor metabolic changes experienced by the team during its sojourn at high altitude. Following the Pik Lenin ascent, a small team of diabetic climbers will attempt alpine-style other summits in the Central Pamir, including Pik Kommunism at 7495 m. (24,591 ft.) and Pik Korjenevska at 7105 m. (23,312 ft.) These and other climbing objectives will confirm both the preparation and strength of the team while at the same time allow each individual climber to reach their highest alpinistic ambition..

Background
The birth of the ISLET project can be traced directly to past successful projects where people with diabetes climbed to very high altitudes. The first project at an international level was IDEA 2000 (short for International Diabetic Expedition to Aconcagua) which focused its attention on Cerro Aconcagua at 6959 m. (22,834 ft), the roof of the Americas. Then in 2001, a group of Italian diabetic climbers and doctors began organizing the DISK (Italian Diabetics on Kilimanjaro) project. In January 2002 DISK put a number of Italian diabetics and diabetologists on top of the African continent, Kilimanjaro at 5895 m. (19341 ft.) and Mt. Kenya at 5122 m. (16805 ft.). That same year, the group ADIQ (Diabetic Climbers at Altitude) organized an expedition which reached 8201 m. (26907 ft.): the summit of Cho Oyu in the Himalaya without supplemental oxygen and without high altitude porters. Finally, in June of 2004, ADIQ organized an attempt on Broad Peak (8047 m., 26402 ft.), located in the second highest mountain range on the planet - the Karakorum Range of Pakistan. In the context of these impressive initiatives, ISLET represents the logical evolution: combining important climbing objectives with a significant medical/educational component.

Why Diabetes and Mountains?
What about the conflict between what's considered "extreme" from what is beneficial to the lifestyle of both type 1 and type 2 diabetics? High altitude mountaineering demands great physical and mental reserves, intensive training, not to mention the unique ability to adapt and thrive in the extreme environmental conditions. All of this requires special physical conditioning through intensive aerobic activity (such as running, trail running, cross country skiing, ski mountaineering, trekking, cycling, mountain biking, etc.) which is recommended for all persons with diabetes. Exercise provides many benefits including ability to maintain proper body weight, controlling blood lipids and blood sugar, and increase insulin sensitivity. In summary, high altitude mountaineering is the tip of the iceberg: a nexus of extreme performance along with a healthy lifestyle developed through daily physical activity, proper diet, and good diabetes self-management. Beyond these measurable benefits, there are other positive aspects to diabetic high altitude expeditions - motivation and inspiration provided by such projects to its participants (and observers) and the actual sharing of these experiences with other diabetics who together find hope, fueled by reaching new heights.

Partners and Sponsors
ISLET is a project which could never have happened without the support of many people behind the scenes as well as the efforts of a number of organizations. A new "frontier" where diabetics and endocrinologists - side by side - share an experience where everyone understands their respective role and strength in order to create something bigger than any one individual could create. The objectives are ambitious, not entirely risk-free, and with many challenges. A.N.I.A.D. (the Italian National Association of Diabetic Athletes) in collaboration with A.D.I.Q. (Diabetic Climbers at Altitude) provide the support and organization to prepare the logistics and practical aspects of ISLET 2005. Given the international caliber of the project and its value from both a scientific and public health point of view, we rely on the support and sponsorship of a full complement of associations and entities, including the international associations concerned with the alpine realm (the C.A.I. - Club Alpino Italiano and the U.I.A.A. - Unione Internazionale Associazioni Alpine (the International Union of Alpine Associations).