First Pro Snowboard Mountaineer with Type 1 Diabetes Ascends Iceland’s Most Remote Mountains

Sub-zero Conditions Don’t Stop Sean Busby with His OmniPod Insulin Pump

Fountain Green, Utah – Powder Lines, a world class backcountry guiding tour business founded by professional snowboarder with type 1 diabetes, Sean Busby, announced its recent successful expedition through the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. The Hornstrandir is Iceland's northernmost peninsula and one of the most rugged and remote areas in all of Iceland.

The expedition included countless ascents and descents in Iceland's most remote fjords—many of which have never been snowboarded before. Powder Lines was founded with the mission of conquering remote and unexplored environments as a way to demonstrate to youth with diabetes that anything is possible with proper diabetes management.

“Snowboarding the Hornstrandir and breaking new ground was an amazing experience made meaningful by knowing that we were showing kids that diabetes doesn’t have to get in the way of our most ambitious goals,” said Busby. “I hope we inspire people with diabetes to actively manage their diabetes so they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to.”

To help manage his diabetes in harsh wilderness environments, Busby relies on the OmniPod Insulin Management System. “With the OmniPod tubeless insulin pump, I have the freedom to pursue my expeditions to the most remote areas of the world without worry of my insulin freezing,” Busby said.

Powder Lines expeditions incorporate educational components, including presentations from Busby that are broadcasted live via satellite phone to children at diabetes foundations, schools and clinics. Busby is also the founder of Riding On Insulin, which hosts snowboarding camps across the United States and throughout the world for youth with type 1 diabetes, fostering community and enriching lives through the power of skiing and snowboarding.

About Powder Lines
Founded in 2007, Powder Lines hosts backcountry ski and snowboard expeditions that provide many benefits and thrills that ski resorts don't offer. Being in such extreme areas, many new risks and hazards are inherited. Busby educates clients on safe backcountry travel techniques and basic avalanche awareness, in addition to various leadership and teambuilding skills. On Powder Lines expeditions, Busby and his team live and play in vast wilderness environments where they may be days away from the nearest help or rescue. Sean remains in top control of managing his type 1 diabetes with the OmniPod insulin pump in order to keep himself and his team safe. For more information, visit www.powderlines.com.

About Sean Busby and Riding On Insulin
After enduring a complicated diabetes diagnosis at age 19, professional snowboarder Sean Busby didn’t know if it would still be possible to snowboard at high altitudes and considered retiring from the sport. While reading stories at the JDRF’s Children’s Congress of children who had been living with Type 1 since birth, he began to realize how fortunate he was for having been free of the disease for the first nineteen years of his life. He was empowered to give back to those kids as they were his inspiration to continue snowboarding. Thus, in 2004 Riding On Insulin was founded. The one-day camps promote courage and confidence and show youth with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes that they may overcome the mental and physical challenges that are often accompanied with the disease. For more information, please visit www.ridingoninsulin.org.