At 17,000 feet on Mount Kilimanjaro’s Western Breach, the morning sun blazes across a cloudless sky. The beautiful gaze of the sun illuminated the sacred peak locals call “Big Mama.” The summit feels tantalizingly close to Scott Sammis and his family, which includes his wife Mary Lou, 57, children John, 20, Becky, 22, and Trevor, 25. But a low rumble shatters the serenity, igniting terror in their hearts. In Goodbye Mary Lou by Scott T. Sammis, this moment marks the beginning of a heart-wrenching tragedy that tests the limits of human endurance.
The rumble grows into a growl, as if Big Mama is enraged. A boulder, small at first, tumbles down the Breach, gaining size and speed, splintering into a cascade of lethal rocks. Trek leader Kambona, a proud Masai, shouts, “Don’t move! Sit down!” His calm contrasts with the chaos as 200–300 rocks, some as large as garbage cans, hurtle toward the group. Scott, standing precariously on loose gravel, likens the scene to a National Geographic special until reality hits hard. “We’re in the killing field,” he realizes, as rocks fly from both sides, leaving no escape.
Mary Lou, Scott’s soul mate of 28 years, is exhausted from a week of nausea and weight loss. But she was determined to conquer the mountain. At 5 a.m., she rose to the porter’s gentle “Good morning,” donned layers, and led the hiker line. When the rocks come, she’s sitting, facing away, unaware of the terror. Scott, defying Kambona’s orders, stands awestruck, dodging a boulder that misses him by inches. “Holy mother of God, that was close!” he gasps, heart pounding.
The aftermath is devastating. Betty Sapp, another hiker, lies dead, struck in the forehead. Scott’s children survive, battered but alive. But Mary Lou is down, her face contorted in pain, cradled by her children. “Mom, where are you?” Becky asks. “On a mountain,” Mary replies weakly, smiling through agony. Kambona suspects a punctured lung but keeps hope alive for the family. Scott clings to a fantasy of a helicopter rescue, unable to grasp that Mary, his vibrant force of nature, is slipping away.
This is only the beginning that will soon change Scott’s life once and for all. As detailed in Goodbye Mary Lou, this story captures the raw terror and love that define Scott’s story. His struggle to protect his family amid chaos resonates deeply, making this a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human spirit under pressure.
Discover the full story of Scott’s journey through loss and healing in Goodbye Mary Lou. Grab your copy today to witness a family’s courage in the face of unimaginable terror.
Goodbye Mary Lou by Scott T. Sammis is a poignant memoir that chronicles Scott’s profound journey through love, loss, and renewal. The story begins with the tragic death of Scott’s first wife, Mary Lou, in a catastrophic rock slide on Mount Kilimanjaro, where their family faced unimaginable terror. Grappling with grief, guilt, and the loneliness of an empty nest, Scott navigates his pain with the help of therapy, spiritual connections, and the enduring love of his children. Years later, he finds unexpected hope and love with Tina, proving that healing and second chances are possible even after profound loss. Raw, heartfelt, and inspiring, this memoir resonates with readers facing grief, seeking resilience, or embracing new beginnings, offering a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit.
