I'm a diabetic, and use an insulin pump. I find the pump simplifies backcountry trips because I don't need so much paraphenalia and don't have to mess with injections. Also, it is easy to make basal rate adjustments to account for the extra exercise, reduced food intake, etc. I go about 50% on the basal rate and reduce meal boluses by 33% or so.
As long as trips are short, I can avoid having to change sets. One time changing was interesting, but only because the insulin vial with the high pressure air in it started pushing out way too much insulin. Watch out for that (whether the vial is to refill a pump or just regular injection).
Frequent blood glucose monitoring seems advisable, too.
Sorry if this is totally incomprehensible to most of you :-).
In general, I find dealing with the diabetes while "climbing" (I'm not talking real "technical" climbing) no different than dealing with it during my normal routine. Easier, actually, since life is so much simplified out on the trail: you walk, you drink water, you eat, you sleep; that's it.
Bill Law
