diabetic backpackers

“Hello everyone,

I was hoping someone could help me out. I am trying to find a hard sided container that I can use to store diabetic pump supplies in for a through hike this summer.

For past two years I have just stored the supplies in the floating lid of my pack. This works well when I am only out for 2 to 3 days. I'm concerned that with the seven day worth of supplies that I'll be carrying my pump supplies will get crushed, thus ending my trip prematurely.

Initially I thought I had found a great container to use, a wide mouth nalgeen. Unfortunately the mouth of the bottle is too narrow to fit the supplies through (by 3/16"). The real kicker is that the overall dimentions of the nalgeen would be perfect. If only the opening was as wide as the water bottle I could get seven days of diabetic pump supplies in the bottle.

Dose anyone know of any containers, or a 32 oz. water bottles with really wide mouths that I could use to store my diabetic supplies in? Thanks for your help.”

“Chad....I saw a microwaveable Soup thermos at Wally World. Wide mouth, looks like a small version of a Bear Container.”

“How about this?
http://www.hdpe-containers.com/32oz-storage.htm

Lots of hits on Google if you search for"32 ounce wide mouth container"”

“How does the pump work out for hiking? My childhood friend & original hiking partner is diabetic. He used to have bursts of energy & then tire. I seem to remember him trying to keep his insulin cooled. Of course he never watched what he ate & later started drinking beer a lot. We used to hike separetely & wait for each other.

He just emailed me 5 mins ago, after not having a computer for 10 years. If they ever start user-fee's, I'll ditch my computer too.”

“The pump works out great for hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing. I'm sure is works great with other activities, but those are the only ones I have done using the insulin pump. The only thing is you have to pack a bit more supplies than others. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 17 years and have been using the insulin pump for the last 7 years. I won't get into the technical aspects of the insulin pump but it is the closest thing to having a normal functioning pancreas as a diabetic could get. I would never go back to insulin injections.”

“Which trail are you hiking?”

“I am through hiking the Superior Hiking Trail August 26 to September 10. It's not the longest or hardest trail out there but I figured I'd ease into the through hiking experience to see If I'd enjoy a really long one (AT, PCT).”

“It's a great hike, I did it in '04 and am thinking of doing it again this year. Not knowing where you're from, the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA) has a great guide book and wasn't pricey at around $15. Good luck, it's really very, very pretty.”

“I live in Duluth and have section hiked most of the trail already, but thanks for the resources. I feel very luckey having such a great trial 45 minutes from my front dooor.”

“I'm south in Wisconsin about 80 miles. Lived for awhile in Mt. Iron as a kid; Duluth is a cool town (Superior sucks).”

“I have seen lego toy blocks come in a nice plastic box with a flip top lid. The box was about 10 inches by 4 by 4. I would just go to walmart and cruise the isles, and when you find the right container, buy it, dump the contents, and use the container.”

“I'd still play with the legos. Thanks for the tip.”