Update: Bayfield woman with MS attempts to conquer Mount Everest

By Melissa Ganje, FOX 21 News

MOUNT EVEREST - A Bayfield mountain climber has moved beyond her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and is on a quest to summit the highest peak on each continent.  She is on the last leg of her 7 summits quest, attempting to climb the highest mountain in the world.

It's one incredible challenge, a journey to the highest peak in the world.  Lori Schneider says, "I'm really excited to move forward with this climb, it's the last of the 7 summits that I'm trying to accomplish."  Fifteen years ago, Schneider set out to climb the highest peak on each continent; Mount Everest is the final leg of that challenge.  "So being here, just being here is an amazing feeling and I hope I make it to the top, but if not, it's all about the journey."  We spoke with Schneider Wednesday via satellite phone at 17,600 feet, base camp at Mount Everest.  Schneider says, "I'm just getting ready for bed and thought I'd call and say hello.  I'm sitting in my tent and I have a little hot water bottle at the end of my sleeping bag to keep my feet warm."

Schneider who was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago is climbing Everest with a mountaineering company called Alpine Ascents; it took Schneider and her team more than 2 weeks to reach base camp.  "Every single step is a challenge here because with the lack of oxygen, it's hard to keep your energy high."  Schneider says they've been camped out at base camp for a couple weeks now letting their bodies adjust to the altitude.  The sound of nearby avalanches is also something Schneider says she's had to get used to.  "That's a common sound all through the night, rock fall on one side and avalanches on the other across the valley, it almost sounds like thunder, there is goes again, there it goes again."

On Friday, Schneider will continue her ascent to camp 1 at the top of the Khumbu ice fall.  Over the next month, they will progress to high camp, camp 4 at 26,300 feet.  "Once we get up to that elevation, then we'll set ourselves up to make an attempt at the summit which is 29,035 feet.  I'm feeling ready; I'm feeling ready to give it my best shot."  It is as she puts it, the climb of her life.  "Every time that I summit, it's one of those overwhelming feeling that makes you realize that if you can do this, you can do anything in your life.  I just encourage everyone to believe in their dreams and don't give up on them."

Lori Schneider and her team hope to reach the summit of Mount Everest in mid-May.  You can follow the climb through Schneider's website at www.ETAdventure.com