New York ? Climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro is no weekend hike, and the “Today” show’s Ann Curry was feeling it on Saturday.

The NBC reporter was sent on assignment for the popular morning show’s “Ends of the Earth” feature, which begins today. The program’s four chief personalities will embark on lengthy road trips to illustrate environmental stories.

“This is like climbing a Stairmaster for six hours a day with 20 pounds on your back,” Curry said in a telephone interview from her tent following Saturday’s climb.