FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2006
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) today expressed its sympathy to family and friends of two AMC members who died on January 4, 2006 during an AMC sponsored excursion to Mt. Kilimanjaro. The victims were struck by a rockfall while climbing on the sixth day of the trip. The excursion was organized by the AMC, with African Environments acting as the local tour operator and guide service. AMC confirmed that there were two fatalities and two injuries.
Betty Sapp, 63, of Melrose, Massachusetts and Mary Sammis, 57, of Huntington, New York, died in the incident. An African Environments porter and AMC staff member Paul Cunha sustained injuries during the incident.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and sympathy are with the families of the victims,” said Andrew Falender, Executive Director of the AMC. “At this point, we are continuing to gather specific information on the incident from local authorities. We are doing everything we can to assist the participants and their families during this difficult time.”
When the incident occurred, the group was en route to Summit Crater Camp during the sixth day of an eight-day excursion to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Staff on the scene from African Environments moved quickly to stabilize injured climbers. Officials from Kilimanjaro National Park assisted in the rescue and recovery.
The ascent route traveled across the Shira Plateau and is popular for its longer, slower ascent, which gives the body time to acclimatize to the altitude gradually and greatly increases hiker safety and the success rate for reaching the summit.
African Environments has quickly mobilized its staff in responding to this incident and has provided a high level of support, including grief counseling for participants. An AMC representative has also traveled to Arusha, Tanzania to assist the families of the victims.
This situation is unrelated to a second AMC sponsored Kilimanjaro excursion that originated on January 4, 2006 and is currently underway without incident.
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. With 90,000 members in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers and trails of the Appalachian region.
African Environments, based in Arusha, Tanzania, was founded in 1986. African Environments guides 600 clients each year on Kilimanjaro climbs and local safaris.
