This is a wonderful piece.  Two of my neighbors are hiking Mount Kilimanjaro next week...so I'm glad that we were able to get a preview of what they will be expecting.  Be safe Ann!!

I have 3 words for Ann Curry....Yes You Can!  

Hi.
Good luck Ann!I summitted Mt. Kili in 2006. It was a challenging and magical experience. What route is Ann climbing?
Thank you.

Thankyou for sharing this great coverage on the subject of global climate change.  America needs to be educated.  I find in  my conversations with others, that many are still not convinced we have a problem.  I believe YOU can make a difference. When your team talks to scientists about these wonderful places in the world, and then share the facts, I believe we can get everyone thinking about global climate change and how we can do what is necessary to correct it!

Ms.Anne U ROCK..I think what your doing is a great thing and a good learning a experince. I sure hope you love hiking because if you don't you will never do it again..I would imagne that the raw beauty is awing...You are one of my farvoites in life is this jouney being you closer to your belief in god. I can only imagne the beauty your seeing and that god has created...Make you have a safe and loving trip..Much  care....Mrs. Reno

I hope Ann packed lots of warm clothes.  My buddy and I hiked the mountain 2 years ago, and the most difficult part was the night climb up to the summit.  It gets windy and very cold until the sun finally comes up.  At that point, you start hearing the glacier ice cracking.  The sound and the views are surreal.

When I first learned that Ann would be climbing Kilimanjaro I looked forward eagerly to her field reports.  I was born in Africa and rasied in Zambia.  I first climed Kilimanjaro in my early teens as part of the first integrated climb up the mountain.  Our headmaster selected 40 kids ranging in age from thirteen to sixteen, a mix of white and black, to undertake the expedition and we travelled north by bus up the all dirt Great North Road camping in the bush en route.  Although we had no modern climbing equipment - we wrapped bandages around our hands in lieu of gloves - and suffered greatly from the cold, we set a world record for the largest number of people ever to succesfuuly summit at one time.  I returned to climb the mountain again 30 years later to find much had changed and so it was with real anticipation that I awaited Ann's updates.  While I commend her efforts, much of what she is reporting is either innacurate or sensationalized to such an extent that I feel strongly she must be corrected.  She is continually referring to the route they have chosen as the most difficult so that they can reach the glaciers.  That's simply not true.  There are multiple routes up the mountain and almost all of them will eventually lead on to the glaciers.  Several of the routes are also considerably more difficult than the one Ann is climbing.  Earlier today she stated that the guides and porters are traditionally Masai.  Again this is completely wrong.  The Chagga tribe who live on the slopes of the mountain have always acted as both guides and porters and these much sought after positions are handed down from one generation to another.  Indeed when I climbed the mountain for the second time my head guide Zacharia was the youngest child of our original head guide, the much revered Ephata.  Additionally no self respecting traditional Masai warrior would ever stoop to carrying packs, a role that is always filled by the Masai women. Ann continually states that they are climbing in terrible conditions and at the worst time of year.  Again this is not true.  The visual evidence confirms that they are enjoying decent conditions that are oftentimes far worse and much colder, regardless of the time of year.  Finally she goes to great lengths to promote the fact she's carrying a twenty pound pack.  I'll bet that outside of when the lens is trained on her, she is not carrying anything.  The guides are fastidious in their insistence that the porters carry everything, and they would never permit an ordinary climber, let alone a celebrity, to carry their own pack.  In conclusion it's a shame that Ann feels compelled to sensationalize her efforts.  They undoubtedly deserve our acclamation but she should be required to report honestly and candidly.  Anything less undermines the veracity of the Today show and the NBC news network.  

Wow, Ann, you ROCK!!

Ann, Dont give up !  You can do this!  It is difficult an painful but the end result will be worth it.  I'm pullin' for ya!

You go Ann, I can't believe that you are actually doing some of the things you do...Take it easy.

Ann, What does your husband and children think about these challenging and what could be dangerouse trips  you have takenl ie: Antartica and now Mt. Kilimanjaro??

It is such a great way that the Today show has displayed there concerns about our environment. I learned so much and want to do more to save our planet. The Today show is a great tool for all information needed to save our planet.  It has made me environmentally aware of what is going on. Thank you Today show.

Ann, you’ll make it just fine.

I saw firsthand how you navigated the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu this past January and I firmly believe you’ve got the stamina to pull it off. Altitude sickness didn’t do you in then and I doubt it will now.

Ann, remember "pole, pole".  Go slow and you can make it.  I did this climb 10 years ago, and it is the hardest thing I ever did. You can do it!

ann, you do all the most strenuous and most dangerous assignments of all the Today Show anchors, and you do it well and without any complaints. I think you deserve a big raise.  You Go Girl.

these pictures are really cooli enjoy sitting here and looking at the pictures and watching the videos

Ann: Which is harder &/or more frightening-this climb or doing Stand Up Comedy?

Ann,

You are great!  Be safe!  Jeers to NBC executives for putting Ann in that position with no time to prepare for this climb.

Ann...my daughter and I just got back from summitting Mount Kilimanjaro. It is indeed awesome! We both cried when we finally made it. Summit day will be both one of the worst, as well as one of the best days of your life. The feeling of accomplishment left us in tears as we stood at the highest peak in Africa. Best of luck to you. We're watching with great envy!

Ann,
You can do this!  In June of 2007 the gentelman I share my life with and I summited this beautiful mountain (a dream of mine for many years and he agreed to do this with me only after we had been dating for 3 months!  We figured it would either make or brake us - thankfully we had a powerful experience and are still finding adventures to share together).  This was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I am thankful for one of our guides, Stephen, who slowly and patiently walked behind me on summit day, every time we stopped, after I caught my breath he would calmly tell me "you are strong, you can do this".  I am enjoying watching your story, and since we took the same route you are on my memory takes me to visuals beyond your camera lens.  I love your adventurous spirit Ann - you are strong, you can do this!

I made Uhura peak on Kilimanjaro one month and five days ago. Hardest physical thing I've ever done because of the lack of oxygen. Fitness doesn't seem to be the issue. It's about how quickly you acclimatize. Be careful but have fun. Pole, pole  . . . go slow.

what an incredible journey for you and your team. and now i can enjoy the view from the mountain, too.

Ann;

Saw the pieces this morning. Do not be discouraged. I summated last June. You get use to the cold and the headaches from altitude sickness will go away as you acclimate. If someone in the crew has Diamox, take 150 mg commencing the day you are ascending to Lava Tower and each day thereafter. Remember, one step at a time and pole pole (go slowly) The view from the top is well worth it. Good luck.

I lived on Kilimanjaro as a Peace Corps volunteer and I have to tell you that people die on the mountain from altitude sickness every year.  I would hope that NBC has, if not provided a doctor, they at least are in contact with one.  If things like they are going south, I hope you have enough sense to stop.  Giving your life for the Today Show is hardly a noble cause.  

Ann,
In October 2007, my son and I had what we called "The Mom - Son Adventure of a Lifetime" and hiked up Kili.  I was 62 years old, and he was 37.  I summited, and my son died from high altiude pulmonery edema (HAPE.)  He left behind a three year old son and widow.  PLEASE be careful...your family needs you.

Enjoy watching this piece as my husband and I just did it a little over a month ago to celebrate our 50th birthday.  As for Alistair's comments about her not carrying her pack...you have to carry your own pack.  It holds your food, water, rain equipment, poles, medicine and extra clothes you need to carry for the changing weather. The porters pass you as they get to the camp ahead of you to set up the tents, and start preparing the food.  We had a guide named Nelson and he was the best!!  If he is the same, then you are in good hands.  It was an amazing experience, maybe not one I want to do again as it was difficult but one I will never forget.  
Good luck.

Ann,
Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us, your TODAY Show viewers. Many years ago, my Navy spouse and I climbed Mt. Fuji while we were stationed in Japan. I had been in a Navy hospital stateside some months earlier for surgery and was on a ward with a lovely Japanese war-bride who was severly disabled due to her Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had RA since a child, but was in much better health at the time. I told her of my plans to climb Mt. Fuji and she said that she had always wanted to climb, but was unable to. She said for all Japanese people it was a sacred thing to do, to climb Mt. Fuji. I told her I would do it for both of us. Well, Ann, it was truly a difficult thing, but I did it with the help of a loving, supportive husband. All the while, I kept saying this mantra "Etsuko, For You. Etsuko, For You." And of course, I asked God to help me. I will never forget sunrise on Mt. Fuji, and my greater purpose in climbing the volcano. The Obelisk on Mt. Fuji reads, "May Peace Prevail On Earth" in several languages. Ann, in addition to all of the good advice and encouragement you are getting, I would say to remember your greater purpose for doing this. May God truly bless you and your TODAY show buddies for bringing the Global Warming challenges and risks into everyone's consciousness.  Thank You!

wow!  im so happy u are taking this journey up Mt Kilimanjaro. the summit is absolutely breathtaking!  i just returned from Kilimanjaro myself.  if it is true that the glacier may be gone by as early as 2020, the urgency to experience it's beauty is growing, and those few souls that can truly appreciate it may want to travel there very soon.  Not only is Tanzania a fantastic country with welcoming people, but the mountain is a huge source of much needed income for the locals. So we can actually do a small part to help generate income just by trekking ourselves. (Plus you get to take in views from the "Roof of Africa") What a journey!!! Ahsante Tours!  

I climbed Kilimanjaro last February and it was an incredible experience. At 55 I am proud to have the mental and physical stamina to have made it to the peak. Ann, I know you will make it...stay positive and focused and the summit will be yours...find your mantra and keep repeating it until you hit the summit!!!    

Ann,
I summited Kili twice; April (rainy season) 2004 at age 53, and again (for REAL fun) July 2005.  I went up Machambe/WB the first time and Lemosho/WB the second time. My first times ever on a mountain "climb" and I thought the summit was just icing.  The experience and zones, porter songs, etc. were the real experience.  You will be eternally grateful to all the hard working porters who made your trek possible.Pole, pole....Check out the Kilimanjaro Porter's Assistance Project in Moshi.  They lend clothing to porters who have none and teach  health, English and HIV/Aids awareness and First Aid to the porters!!
Barb Munson, Brainerd, MN

Ann, you  continue to amaze me.  I am in awe of you.  You make everything look so easy...from covering the political evenings, and appearing on  the Today Show and filling in for anyone. You are trully talented. Your energy continues to excite me. You are a model for all the young girls of today.  I know you'll get to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.  You go girl!!!  Be safe!

Anne, you're my hero!  You seem to get the hardest assignments these days.  Hope you're safe and enjoy the expirence!

I summited Kili in June of 2007 and would do it again in a heartbeat. I took what was called the Western Approach, a modified version of the Western Breach, which was closed in 2oo6 after three trekkers died in a rock slide. Has the original route been re-opened? If you drink gallons of water, eat everything they put in front of you, and always go pole pole, you will do fine. At least one night make yourself get out of your tent in the wee small hours to see the beautiful night sky and stars. The stillness is unbelievable, and you really do feel like you can reach up and touch the stars. You will find that once you are home, your heart is still on the mountain. Don't stop till you make it to the top. Have a great time.

I agree with Alistair, it's a shame that they are not quite accurate and overdramatizing. The majority of the guides and porters are not Massai they are Chagga.  Ann and crew are definitely not eating "local" food the way the porters do, the climbers i.e. "guests" eat delicious food recognizable to any westerner.  Every day we had popcorn and tea/chocolate/coffee at the end of the hike before dinner, peanut butter and warm soup as appetizers and either chicken or meat and often pasta for dinner.  Delicious (to be fair she did say it was tasty, it's just not exotic as she led viewers to believe).  The oxygen is not standard for most climbs NO ONE climbs Kili with oxygen except some lame Japanese tourists.  Please also discuss that many scientists think an important real reason that ice is melting is because Kili, like the glaciers where Al is, are on top of active volcanoes so a lot of the melting is due to geothermal energy coming from within it's important to understand how geology works. It's not a bad climb until the last day so there is no "struggling" early on.  That being said good luck to everyone it will be wonderful when you make it, just keep the exaggerations down or you will discourage others from climbing and that would be a shame.  

Hello.
Good luck Ann!I  am liming,It was a challenging and magical experience. one step at a time and pole pole (go slowly) The view from the top is well worth it. Good luck.

Fitness doesn't seem to be the issue. It's about how quickly you acclimatize. Be careful but have fun. Pole, pole  . . . go slow
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This is such a great story but the music in the background is so loud and annoying that I can't hear what they are saying.  We are missing some of your finest reporting.  You don't have to print this on the blog but I can't find any contact place to report this problem.  Keep up the good work but please do something about the music while they are talking.  Thank you,  

Fitness doesn't seem to be the issue. It's about how quickly you acclimatize. Be careful but have fun. Pole, pole  . . . go slow
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Just heard Ann Curry's report today and you need to bring her down now. She just doesn't sound right, disoriented, struggling for words and almost isn't making sense (kind of Sarah Palin-like). Altitude sickness is not a minor thing. Please call it off. She's a brave woman, but it's not worth risking her health anymore.

Just wanted to tell you that earlier this year my son, Darol Kubacz along with his wonderful team, was the first paraplegic to summit Kili using only arm power, (not being pushed pulled or carried!)
Enjoy the view from the top! (and listen to the Doc, altitude sickness kept Darol from summiting on this first attempt).

I watched your segment this morning and noted with concern what you said on altitude sickness and the guides who assess whether you have it.  Please know that altitude sickness is very real, very individual and very deadly.  My husband, Ken Moskow, died on September 19, 2008 -- just 2 months ago -- as he reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  He had headaches, deep fatigue and other symptoms which were missed by the guides that he paid to take his group safely to the summit.  The guides do not have medical training like we are accustomed to in the US.  The hospital is subpar by even the lowest US standards.

I am now faced with the profound loss of my husband and the daunting task of raising our three small children (ages 3, 5 and 7) by myself.  My husband was extremely careful, well-prepared and in excellent physical shape.  It is not worth it.  I am sure he would say the same thing if he were here.  

Ann, I'm worried about your well being...Please don't put your life in risk.....Carol

Most all blogs seem to be egotistically bound to the writer's own exploits.  I heard Ann's report, her speech pattern, and voice.  She is a bright shining star in the NBC crown and far too valuable to face damage on a media induced stunt.  Somebody get hert off of that &*%*ed mountain.

Get Ann off the mountain;
Today Ann seemed confused and searching for words on her enterview, but what she did say is frightening. At high altitude drinking lots of water to replace water lost is a good idea but ann excess can coplicate altitude sickness.  Both altitude sickness and Hyponatremia can cause swelling in the brain and even death.  What Ann said about drinking water every few minutes could be dangerous and complicating her problems.  I know you had water poisening as a topic on your show before.  I don't think the firstaid training of these guides is enough please worn Ann about this.

I think it's time that Matt and Meredith get the assignments that are tougher.  Does anyone else notice that Ann Curry is the only one that gets the toughest assignments when traveling.  This time Ann sounds totally exhausted, while Meredith is in Australia and Matt is somewhere where he can play golf!  Oy. Give this poor woman a break!!!!

Turn down the background music for the remote reports from Ann, Al, Matt and Meridith, you idiots.  We can't hear the dialog.

I was wondering how the jet lag is affecting Meredith?

Can't believe the producers would subject Ann to an arduous, dangerous venture without time to prepare for this.  I hope when she returns she tells the NBC execs to go to the Ends of the Earth.  Ann, you are amazing, God bless, take some time off when you return and charge the network for a week at a spa.

Does anyone know how to get more information on the NY man who was trying to raise money for the schools in Tanzania? I have not been able to find it anywhere o the website

This is a question for all 3 reporters, What size carbon footprint is left from 3 production companies traveling around the world to report climate change?

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