Today show anchor Ann Curry is currently on Mount Kilimanjaro to report on the state of the planet.  In their ‘Ends of the Earth’ series, NBC reporters Meredith Vieira, Al Roker and Matt Lauer are in Australia, Iceland, and Belize respectively to explore climate change. 

Based on her Kilimanjaro Journal, Curry, age 52, is attempting to climb using Machame route and the Western Breach summit approach.  The Western Breach is the most difficult path - and the most dangerous.  The rocky slope ascends 2,800 feet in a distance of 1.25 miles.  Rockfall in January 2006 killed three Americans, resulting in the closure of the route for nearly two years.  Even now, there are few operators who will guide climbers up the breach due to the risks.  Given that Curry is an inexperienced climber, only learned of the assignment three weeks ago, and admittedly did not train much, I am a bit surprised she would attempt to climb Kilimanjaro using the Western Breach. 

I will monitor her climb in the days ahead.

Below are video links of her on the mountain: 

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27715113#27715113
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27715113#27767338
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27765117#27765117