Ann Curry Stops Short of Kilimanjaro Summit

NEW YORK — The "Today" show's Ann Curry didn't make it to the top of Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro.

Altitude sickness and forbidding weather forced the NBC morning show's crew to stop about 3,000 feet short of the 19,000-foot summit. They were climbing to draw attention to environmental problems, and hoped to hit the top for Friday's show.

Curry reported to her "Today" show colleagues Thursday that she was heading back down.

Said Curry: "Here's the bottom line: I just did not want to live with any one of us having any kind of serious injury just to get us live from the top of this mountain. It just wasn't worth it."

She described it as an unanimous decision by the five-person crew.

Said anchor Matt Lauer: "We're all proud of you and the team."

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NBC is owned by General Electric Co.

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On the Net:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/

Comments

[meede]

Seems their show doesn't actually respect environmental issues. To use locations with Meredith in Australia, Matt in Belize, Al in Iceland and Anne in Africa climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Having each of them together with a production crew plus the crews that would have pre-checked the sites to arrange everything -- all the flights, etc. affecting environment to show us what. Meredith being in Australia was nighttime and interviewed lifeguards in a segment. Anne gave tour of their campsite. Al in front of hot springs. Matt I recall birds. They could have had local commentators satellite info. Disgusting.

[Yovovi]

I titally agree! I stopped watching this and all idiotic morning shows years ago for reasons like this. It's personalities and self-promotion above all else. Gross!

[dana94591]

Wimp!! She should have planned for the trip before and NOT DURING SWEEPS!!!

[Clemgo3165]

Ummmm, she was only told she was going 3 weeks ago - hardly enough time to prepare for such a venture.

[dana94591]

I hear ya!!!

[dana94591]

But she should not have gone. It trivializes the venture. Don't do it if you can't complete it!

[osusana]

Ann ROCKS for climbing to 16,000 feet!! What a trooper...I would have wimped out after the first two hours.

[nodakjob]

Ann Curry, you are a much respected journalist -- I always enjoy your special reports and interviews. I applaud your efforts, but must agree with others writing here that NBC definitely did not play fair on this one, giving you little or no advance notice of assignment or adequate time to prepare for such a difficult venture. Hope you're well, and take time to enjoy life and surroundings upon your return home.