Bayfield woman summits Everest

BAYFIELD - A Bayfield woman has made it to the top of the world.

Lori Schneider's two-month-long journey to the top of Mount Everest culminated late Friday night Central time when she reached the summit of the world's highest peak - more than 29,000 feet above sea level.

The news was posted on the Web site of the group Schneider is climbing with. Family and friends in her hometown said they were on pins and needles the past few days, and were thrilled to hear the news.

"She climbed Mount Everest! She summitted Mount Everest!" said a friend of Schneider's, Janel Ryan. "She made it last night; we got the call here in Bayfield about 10:30 last night. The town went wild!"

Still basking in the excitement of Lori's success, her supporters can't help but think of the next chapter in her journey.

"We just want to keep those prayer flags fluttering a little while longer to make sure that she gets down the mountain safely, because coming down is almost as dangerous as coming up," said Ryan.

Schneider now has climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents - and she summitted six of them after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999.

For past coverage of Schneider, go to http://fox21online.com/news/bayfield-woman-reaches-top-mount-everest

You can read more about Schneider's climb at the expedition Web site, http://www.alpineascents.com/everest-cybercast.asp

You can read more about Schneider and her other climbs on her Web site, http://www.empowermentthroughadventure.com/