The snows of Kilimanjaro

Connie, NH — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:56:29 GMT

The story on the Arctic was really great and I hope that more people are paying attention to what is going on and how we as humans have a huge impact on global warming. I am a little confused by NBC's decision to follow that up with a story glorifying cutting down a hugh tree. Maybe next year you could do the respnsible thing and transplant a tree that can be left there all year long. Just an idea since you seem to want to help out the climate problem.

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Michael Brady, Kings Park, New York — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:30:10 GMT

I was fortunate enought to visit Tanzania in February 2008, when I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. The people are warm and friendly and unlike many regions of the world these days, they generally love Americans. There is a tremendous amount of poverty, yet the people seem happy.

I saw children like these all over Tanzania, walking to school in brightly colored and neatly pressed uniforms. They want to learn and improve their conditions. Like the work Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) is doing in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Americans, we should look to help these regions of Africa, as well. An educated populace is more likely to succeed and less likely to fall prey to the desperate appeal of militant extremism. Money spent on education and infrastructure saves lives. These solutions are cheap compared to the costs of war.

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Kristin Jackson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:24:06 GMT

Hi Ann, My 67 year old mom and I just got back from climbing Kili and we both made it to the summit! We will be watching you and following your story about the glaciers. We also hope you make it with out any mountain sickness. Pole Pole!

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Kristina Smith, SLO, CA — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:32:19 GMT

I know from personal experience that Tanzania is beautiful. I was able to go out there when i was 17, about 5 years ago. I stayed a little south of Mt Kili. Each morning my favorite sight was looking up at kilimonjaro, looking at the white cap. Over the years i have noticed the shrinkage of that cap, which i sad. The team i went with helped build a well and 2 schools. One of the schools we built is in a Maasia Village, the cloest school to them was a few hour walk away,so many childnren didn't have an opportunity to attend a school. They have 2 wells near by, i have heard that one has started to dry up and the water is not sutible to use.

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Jeff W., Salt Lake City, UT — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:46:53 GMT

I find it funny that the reporting on global warming requires that 4 reporters and crew go to 4 seperate locations. What kind of a carbon footprint is that leaving? Mt. Kllimanjaro's summer just ended in October and the dryest season is Nov. and Dec. I love how this is the time NBC decided to go there. This way they can show Killimanjaro at its worst possible time. The earth is ever changing and while I believe we can be better to our planet there is still nothing we can do to keep it from changing. Our deserts used to have abundant plant life, rivers have dried up and yes snow has melted (ever since the last ice age).

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Ken Frick, Roseville, CA — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:03:46 GMT

Ann,

Way to go lady ... one slow step at a time, one foot in front of the last. Did not hear you say which route you are taking on your climb. Good luck on at least reaching the glaciers. Catch your energy back and try to summit. I hope to trace your steps next year. Jambo

The snows of Kilimanjaro

T. Hausherr — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:07:02 GMT

Hi Ann & news crew,
Thanks for bringing this story of climatic change to the forefront. Hopefully, the climb will not affect your health. My sister-in-law climbed Mt. Kili several years ago and had some lung problems for several months afterwards. Please take care!

The snows of Kilimanjaro

A. Waters, Palo Alto, CA — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:28:12 GMT

How can you justify tracking up Kilimanjaro with 100 servers in a story about preserving the evironment?

How ironic.

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Derek E. Weeks, Bethesda, MD — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:38:29 GMT

Hi Ann,

You know by now that you were assigned the most difficult of the four locations. My friends and I all summited Kili in January 2001. I still remember the incredible experience of reaching the top.

My advice: take it slow, drink lots of water, and remember that it is mind over matter. Keep taking just one more step at a time, and you will get there.

Having summited, I know what you are going through up there. Stuff that I am sure you can't show on the air. Altitude sickness, lack of restrooms, no showers. I feel for you. But in the end, the positives will far outweigh the negatives.

Treat Kili well. She will be in your memories forever.

Cheers,

Derek

The snows of Kilimanjaro

P. F. Greene Memphis, TN — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:11:55 GMT

Thank you so much for running this series. I hope that during some point this week, you will discuss how one individual living in the U.S. can make a difference and have a positive effect on this huge issue. This has been going on for a long time, and only a few seem to have taken it seriously. Hopefully, your experiences and pictures will help people to make changes. Also, I hope that you will express some of the ways these adventures have changed each of your lifes. Again, thank you so much for doing this. I think it really helps to see what what you experience, since so many of us will never have the opportunity to do what each of you are doing.