We’re all about showcasing bold individuals who redefine what’s possible, whether that’s in medicine, adventure, or mindset.
This year, we’re proud to share an extraordinary journey: a two-week expedition to Mount Vinson in Antarctica, where 28-year-old medical professional Dr Rachel Smith is aiming to become the first woman with Type 1 Diabetes to summit the highest mountain on the continent.
From Belfast to the Bottom of the World
Rachel was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes just before her third birthday. In 2001, she became the first child in Northern Ireland to start insulin pump therapy through the Ulster Hospital, an innovation that’s now considered the gold standard in T1D management for children.
That early access to cutting-edge treatment shaped her future. After growing up in Belfast, Rachel studied medicine at Queen’s University before moving to Glasgow for her foundation training. She now lives and works in Melbourne, Australia, focusing on Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and has dropped to part-time clinical work to fully dedicate herself to the expedition ahead.
“I want to push the perceived limits of what people with Type 1, women and girls can achieve. I want to be a representation for anyone who’s been told they can’t, but chooses to try anyway.”
Why Mount Vinson?
At 4,892 metres, Mount Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica. Located deep in the Ellsworth Mountains, it’s one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth, with average temperatures of -30°C and consistently high winds.
Rachel will be climbing with Climbing the Seven Summits (CTSS) from 27th December 2025 to 10th January 2026. While over 7,000 people have summited Everest, recent statistics from Antarctic Logistics suggest fewer than 3,500 have reached the summit of Mount Vinson. Among those, only three people with Type 1 Diabetes, Taylor Adams, Geri Winkler, and Will Cross, are known to have completed the climb. None are known to be women.
This challenge requires serious preparation, but Rachel is no stranger to high places.
She’s already summited:
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Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America (January 2024)
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Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak (June 2016)
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Kosciuszko, the tallest summit in Australia (October 2024)
She’s also trekked extensively in the Himalayas, including Lobuche and Everest Base Camp, and across the UK, Ireland, Norway and Europe.
Her love for the outdoors began in the Mourne Mountains, where she’s completed the gruelling Mourne Wall Challenge solo, once during the day, and once overnight, and when she’s not in the mountains, she trains in CrossFit and takes on endurance running events.
A Voice for Representation, and Research
This mission is about more than the summit. For Rachel, it’s a way to highlight the lived experience of people with Type 1 Diabetes, and the breakthroughs that have made challenges like this possible.
“There’s barely any research out there on managing T1D at altitude. Most of what I’ve learned has come from trial, error, and talking to others doing similar things. If I can use this expedition to contribute to future research, I’ll be thrilled.”
She’s also using the climb to raise funds for Breakthrough T1D, both in the UK and Australia. The charity has played a part in every major T1D advancement in the past 50 years, from the early insulin pumps to today’s closed-loop systems, both of which have directly shaped Rachel’s journey.
Support the Mission
We’ll be sharing Rachel’s website once it’s live in the next week. In the meantime, follow along via Rachel’s socials linked below & keep an eye on WEM’s channels for updates on her journey.
From all of us at World Extreme Medicine, we’re behind you, Rachel.
→ Connect with Rachel & Donate
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