O’Neil’s climb ends

Christine O'Neil, Toledo native, St. Ursula grad, faculty member at Finlandia University in U.P. on an expedition on Isle Royale.

Toledo native Christine O’Neil has suspended her effort to reach the summit of California’s Mount Whitney after she aggravated a hip injury prior to reaching the most difficult part of the climb.

O’Neil, a 1994 graduate of St. Ursula, was taking part in a “Summit for Someone” fund-raiser to assist the Big City Mountaineers, a mentoring program that offers urban youth unique wilderness experiences. O’Neil, who was carrying a 60-pound pack on her back, left with the rest of her climbing party early Sunday and headed up the 14,505 foot mountain, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states.

Her father, John, said Monday that Christine had safely returned to the base of the mountain and that her family and friends were relieved to learn that she was OK and very proud of her efforts to tackle the mountain and raise money for a worthwhile cause.