Why do you want to put any artificial sweetener in your drink when hiking uphill at all?
You are burning calories at full speed and need real sugar.
Is it possible that these problems were caused by sugar deficiency rather than by Aspartam?
It might also be caused by aspartame consumption prior to the beginning of the hike. I know I'm guilty of charging myself up in the morning with a Diet Coke because I can't stand coffee. Which is why the whole story interested me in the first place.
