Anyone remotely familiar with the demands of the West Coast Trail is readily aware it takes from six to eight days to complete the 75-kilometre journey.

That Chris Jarvis completed the hike along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island in 32 hours is remarkable enough. But handling the challenges the rugged terrain trail can throw your way while coping with Type 1 diabetes raises his accomplishment to a whole other level.

Although he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1994, that didnB次元官网网址檛 stop Jarvis from competing in top-tier rowing events for 10 years, including representing Canada in the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008. He also earned a gold medal at the Pan Am Games in Rio in 2007 in between those events.

B次元官网网址淚 chose the challenge of the West Coast Trail to provide some hope to folks who may be having difficulty adapting to diabetes,B次元官网网址� Jarvis explained. B次元官网网址淓very person who hikes that trail has to prepare for uncertainty and plan carefully, and thatB次元官网网址檚 what life with diabetes is like.B次元官网网址�

He thought it was fitting to tackle the trail when it opened in May because this year marks the 30th anniversary of his diagnosis.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to carry your bag with everything you need for 75 kilometres,B次元官网网址� Jarvis noted when asked about some of the more difficult demands. B次元官网网址淧lanning my safety medically and being prepared to deal with temperatures dropping to 4 degrees and uncertain weather was also key. One of the first ladders on the trail was missing two rungs, so youB次元官网网址檙e basically climbing down two storeys with your backpack.B次元官网网址�

Word of what Jarvis accomplished spread much faster than he had anticipated.

B次元官网网址淚 heard from people from around the world who saw what I did on social media,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪ome of them who had very nasty experiences on that trail were absolutely amazed at what I did.B次元官网网址�

Jarvis said it was B次元官网网址渕ost importantB次元官网网址� to include that although he didnB次元官网网址檛 have perfect control of his diabetes, he was able to monitor his glucose levels with a Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system.

Jarvis launched I Challenge Diabetes after people with diabetes started reaching out to him in 2007. The national initiative received charitable status in 2011, and hosts sports camps in different parts of the country, including Victoria and other locations on Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淚t started out in Victoria as a grassroots effort,B次元官网网址� Jarvis said. B次元官网网址淚 wanted to inspire people to continue to overcome the daily challenges of dealing with diabetes, and hope to show anyone facing medical challenges that they can accomplish great things with the proper preparation.B次元官网网址�

Although heB次元官网网址檚 currently based in Coldwater, Ont., the community of Sooke remains a special place for Jarvis.

B次元官网网址淪ookeB次元官网网址檚 a beautiful spot and I really enjoy the people and the hiking camps we do there.B次元官网网址�

To learn more or make a donation, hike over to https://ichallengediabetes.org/.