I stumbled upon IDEA 2000 completely by accident. It turned out to be just what I was looking for. Live in Denver with my wife and my dog. Just bought a fixer upper home. Have a passion for, and a couple of degrees in, Geology. Make a living as a software engineer and GIS specialist for Space Imaging. Love the mountains.

Four years ago at the age of 26 I was diagnosed with type1 diabetes. Becoming diabetic changed my life. However I've discovered life’s journey is still just as rich. I've been a climber and mountaineer for seven years. The history and practice of these activities truly inspires me. Personally I love the combination of pushing my physical and mental boundaries with mutual thoughts of "go for it" and "is this safe." I believe combining risk and responsibility is common to both climbing and living a full life with diabetes.

I can remember wanting to climb mountains. I thought I knew just what to do. Packed my bag, started hiking, and began to learn. Since those first steps I’ve climbed mountains in New England, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Alaska, Australia, and New Zealand. Today I make frequent trips into Colorado’s backcountry to bag peaks, sometimes skiing off them on my telemark boards. I’m also an avid mountain biker and rock climber.

I can remember wanting to climb rock. I had no idea what to do. I bought a book. I bought a rope. I bought some shoes… and with a friend put a top rope up at a local crag. This passion is scary at times, rewarding at times, and filled with mental and physical challenges. I couldn't stop climbing if I wanted to. Today I enjoy leading multi-pitch trad routes, occasional days of sport climbing, and spontaneous bouldering sessions. I’ve also made a few forays into climbing ice.

I can remember getting diagnosed with diabetes. I had no idea what to do. I bought a book. I bought a glucose meter. I bought some insulin… and with my diabetes management team brought my blood sugars down to a healthy level. This twist in life is scary at times, rewarding at times, and filled with mental and physical challenges. I couldn't stop this disease if I wanted to. Today, I take two shots of long acting insulin, 4+ shots of Humalog, and test my blood sugar 5 to 8+ times a day. It is up to me to keep my diabetes under control.

Many people believe diabetes is synonymous with limitation. The members of IDEA 2000 prove that it is not. I am very excited to be part of IDEA 2000. It is extremely refreshing to find other individuals who are challenging both the perceived and real constraints of being diabetic. That is the message of IDEA 2000, and I want to help spread this message by putting type1 diabetic climbers on the summit of Cerro Aconcagua. I am also proud to further IDEA 2000’s goal of increasing diabetic education and the availability of diabetic supplies throughout Latin America.

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