A new route found to Rwenzori peak

Kampala
Prospective visitors to the Margherita Peak, the highest point of the Rwenzori Mountains, now have an alternative route that has been surveyed and opened up, Uganda Wildlife Authority has announced.
UWA Public Relations officer Lillian Nsubuga said in a statement that the new, shorter route will enable tourists circumvent a six-metre long crack (crevasse) that developed in the glacier leading to Margherita in April and threatened to derail expeditions to the peak found 5,109 metres above sea level.

“The new route is shorter and easier because it avoids the steepest part of the mountain,” said Ms Nsubuga. “It now takes about 26 minutes to climb from the base of the glacier to the Margherita Peak. Previously, it took up to 45 minutes to climb from the base of the glacier to the peak.”

Ms Nsubuga added that the new route has been thoroughly tested and found to be safe and secure for mountain climbers.

Diversion
According to Ms Nsubuga, a diversion from the old route has been created at a point called Omwubutindo, where ladders had been placed on rocks to ease movement on the glacier.

“With the new route, the peak will now be approached from the western side. Uganda Wildlife Authority staff and officials from the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services will continue to ensure that mountain climbers have an unforgettable experience climbing to the top of the mountain,” she explained.

Ms Nsubuga added that as the globe continues to warm up as a result of climate change, UWA anticipates more impacts on the Rwenzori Mountains glacier, and has put in place long term plans to open another route that will facilitate access to the Margherita Peak through the rocky areas.

“UWA is also diversifying the tourist experience by opening more tourism routes on the northern and southern ranges to maximise trekking and viewing of spectacular and breath taking landscapes in the Rwenzori ranges,” she said.

Named after queen
Named in 1906 by an Italian Duke, Prince Luigi Armedeo de Savoia, after the Queen of Italy, Margherita, during a scientific expedition that the Duke led to the Rwenzoris, Margherita is an alpine niche for peak climbers who progress on the glaciers and snows to ascend the peak.

Margherita Peak offers a panoramic view of Alexandra and Albert peaks on the same Mountain (Stanley) and Speke glacier on Mountain Speke during clear weather. Ms Nsubuga said the snow is receding and the glaciers are also melting due to global warming.

The Rwenzoris are the highest block Mountains in Africa.
They were formed as a result of uplifting, faulting and tilting processes.

In the central ranges are a group of six mountains harbouring diverse peaks, which are covered by snows and glaciers.