• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Completing West Highland Way as Type 1

P

poults10

Newbie
It’s the last night on the West Highland Way for me, tomorrow I will complete the 96mile journey and the next day I will summit Ben Nevis. I have been wild camping the way, carrying my own supplies and tent etc. I was diagnosed in June 2021, I was in DKA and spent 2 nights in hospital. I remember googling in hospital ‘thru-hiking and diabetes’. I was so scared I couldn’t long distance hike anymore, but a year later I’m so proud of myself for completing a trip.

I have basically been winging it. I find it best if I don’t basal at all, because any insulin on board and I’m battling hypos all day. I’ve found reducing my ratios for bolus by 50% usually works. Im carrying extra insulin, manual testing as well as. Free style libre and a spare libre.

I’ve been walking 20-30km every day, and it has been such a dream.
 
Congratulations on completing the West Highland Way when it comes and enjoy Ben Nevis.

I have completed the WHW and I do a fair bit of hill walking, I always half my bolus insulin before I go out on the Munros (Mountains).
Last week doing 2 Munros I felt fatigued, my levels were up and down, I think this was due to being dehydrated so when you do Ben Nevis make sure you take on plenty of water or even add some SiS GO Hydro (Electrolytes) it's something I am looking into now as I am doing Ben Nevis by the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête on Saturday. If you carry a water filter there is a water source half way up.

Well done again on your achievement, don't stop enjoying walks/camping.

Jock
 
Well done on your great achievement just proves having diabetes shouldn’t stop you doing anything , good luck with you’re upcoming ascent of Ben Nevis, it’s gorgeous there it’s on my bucket list I will do it one day, PMA is such a good thing should be on prescription for everyone .
 
JockNisbet said:
Congratulations on completing the West Highland Way when it comes and enjoy Ben Nevis.

I have completed the WHW and I do a fair bit of hill walking, I always half my bolus insulin before I go out on the Munros (Mountains).
Last week doing 2 Munros I felt fatigued, my levels were up and down, I think this was due to being dehydrated so when you do Ben Nevis make sure you take on plenty of water or even add some SiS GO Hydro (Electrolytes) it's something I am looking into now as I am doing Ben Nevis by the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête on Saturday. If you carry a water filter there is a water source half way up.

Well done again on your achievement, don't stop enjoying walks/camping.

Jock
Click to expand...
Thanks man, appreciate it.

Yeah I halve bolus as well. Maybe even more so on Munro’s because WHW has been incredibly flat. I’ve got a filter so I’ll keep a look out. Will also be doing the CMD arête on Thursday.

Cheers, going to use the WHW as inspiration to move onto bigger and grander adventures

Phil
 
poults10 said:
It’s the last night on the West Highland Way for me, tomorrow I will complete the 96mile journey and the next day I will summit Ben Nevis. I have been wild camping the way, carrying my own supplies and tent etc. I was diagnosed in June 2021, I was in DKA and spent 2 nights in hospital. I remember googling in hospital ‘thru-hiking and diabetes’. I was so scared I couldn’t long distance hike anymore, but a year later I’m so proud of myself for completing a trip.

I have basically been winging it. I find it best if I don’t basal at all, because any insulin on board and I’m battling hypos all day. I’ve found reducing my ratios for bolus by 50% usually works. Im carrying extra insulin, manual testing as well as. Free style libre and a spare libre.

I’ve been walking 20-30km every day, and it has been such a dream.
Click to expand...
Inspirational.
 
Back
Top