Mount Stanley Margherita Peak — July 2021 Summit Report¶

The Mountains of the Moon — Africa's third-highest peak, hidden in perpetual cloud. The 8-day trek through the Rwenzori Mountains is like walking through a botanical wonderland — giant lobelia, senecio trees, and moss-draped heather create an otherworldly landscape. The summit glaciers are rapidly retreating and may be gone within a decade. We were privileged to stand on ice that has existed for thousands of years.

Trip Overview¶

Mountain: Mount Stanley (5109m) Date: July 22, 2021 Duration: 8 days Party Size: 3 Outcome: Summit

Conditions¶

Weather: Classic Rwenzori weather — rain every afternoon, brief morning clearings. The summit day offered a rare 3-hour window of visibility. Snow: Diminishing glaciers on the upper peak, ice and neve. Wet rock below. Temperature: -5°C to 18°C Wind: Light to moderate, 10-20 km/h

Difficulty Assessment¶

The Rwenzori approach involves days of mud and bog trekking through giant heather and groundsel forests. The final ascent to Margherita Peak requires glacier travel and some rock scrambling. The constant moisture makes everything slippery.