Climbing Rwenzori Mountains: What You Need To Know before Climbing

Climbing Rwenzori Mountains: You want to Climb the Rwenzori Mountains, but you don’t know how to start! Otherwise, you want to reach the Margherita peak, but still you don’t have prior information how to go about it! Never mind! Its not too late to know about the first tips at hand about  the facts about the Rwenzori Mountains, its peaks, routes, the best time to go trekking Rwenzori, what to where, how to get there, the cost of hiking, the tour operators, Where to sleep, the porters among others

Here you will find yourself researching your Rwenzori climb whenever you have a moment. We know exactly how it feels. It’s the urge to reach the Roof of Africa. An unstoppable thirst for conquering Margherita Peak and to know what it feels like to climb the Rwenzori Mountains.

What You Wish to Know about climbing the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Safety first!

When it comes to climbing the Rwenzori Mountains,the first question is always “Is it safe to climb/trek the Rwenzori Mountains?”

It is good to know about the dangers associated with climbing the Rwenzori mountains, and the overall safety measures that must be taken to help hikers climb Mount Rwenzori safely and be able to enjoy the sights more effectively, that is to say; what to bring and do beforehand including;

Plan Your Trips early

Curiosity is a quality to be admired, but not when going to climb the Rwenzori mountains. For plenty of reasons, you must plan your hiking ahead of time.

Study the Weather, and choose the Right Route

Being up to date with weather information must be the first thing you should know, when planning to go mountaineering the Rwenzori mountains in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. This decision will help you choose 1 out of the 3 trails/routes to use and the months suitable for climbing the Rwenzori Mountains.

However, If the weather isn’t favorable, pick another day in another month, even if you have the mandate to go. The Rwenzori Mountains are not a place to take lightly.

Yet if the weather is free of rain or storms, but feels quite cold,  then you are in position to go climbing the Rwenzori Mountains in the Rwenzori mountains National Park.

Dress appropriately.

Look for the right gear that match the trail/route you have chosen. It is advisable you do authentic research about the present trails, and get the right gear for your spot abilities.

It’s always the best idea to continuously investigate and make quick searches about the current conditions of the Rwenzori Mountains national Park, before your actual trip/attempting to climb.

Inform the guides/porters of Where You Are Going When in the park

During the climbing session, you must ensure that you make close connections with the rest of the Rwenzori mountaineers, so that you easily notify them about where you are going.

Make frequent calls, to a close friend within the group to let them know your whereabouts when you are leaving and where you are going; While notifications can be given via social media and text, a written notice should always be included. This is something all Rwenzori mountaineering authorities recommend.

Spend on Good Gear and Clothing

We can’t just keep quiet about the gear. High quality gear and clothing can save your life because of durability. If nothing else, it will give you company.

Footwear

On a rough terrain, high quality boots are a must have. These will take car of your feet by keeping it warm in cold weather, comfortable on rocks and safe on ice. You will need 2 sets of shoes, including a pair of breathable hiking shoes, while the other is waterproof hiking boots. Each will work on distinguished environments, that is Wearing breathable shoes and boots on hot days, while the waterproof boots for cold days and on days when the routes will take you along the bogy regions, river and streams.

You should also pack an extra  pair of socks, because some can easily get tone and worn out and get holes while in the boots. While some can fail to dry when washed, or when you walk through mud, or otherwise when it rains on them. Socks can get worn down in boots and get holes. There are also high chances when you will run into water without waterproof boots and find yourself with wet feet.

 

Base layers

Each season has its own base layers, that is, in winter, fleece-lined base layers are a plus, yet for summer, it is a minus. But it should be taken into consideration that if the weather is below freezing, a moisture-wicking layer can be useful. Sweating during weather that is below freezing can put one at a risk for hypothermia if you will be out for a very long time.

But if it’s just a short day-trip, thermal or fleece-lined base layers are fine if it’s cold.

Shell Layers for climbing the Rwenzori Mountains

The shell layers must be waterproof & water-resistant, since the weather conditions is unpredictable, that it may rain or otherwise you might be near wet areas. Therefore, get a shell jacket and a pair of shell pants. You can wear them separately or together at your own discretion.

A high quality pair of gaiters:

Carrying gaiters is also a better idea to keep away from rocks, dust and snow out of your boots for a snowy, dusty & rocky terrain, you can comfortably walk.

Basic Necessities

If you are hiking the Rwenzori mountains, you must carry basic necessities, due to unavoidable circumstances like water, soap(in case you want to bathe), moisturizers, towels, toiletries, toothpaste, pads (for women) among others.

Plenty of Water

Hiking mountain Rwenzori is a challenging factor that requires frequent hydration all the way through the summit, for which water is necessary.  It is essential you carry enough water for drinking in a hydration pack that fits in your hiking pack.  You can also, bring an extra bottle of water with you in case you run out. If you’re planning on eating on the trail, carry extra water measured for cooking your meals.

A First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is one of the essentials you must carry along, when climbing/hiking the Rwenzori mountains. You should never start summiting the Rwenzori ranges without a first aid kit. We recommend a first aid kit made specifically for hikers, with tools inside which can keep you from getting infections if you get hurt and you can customize it to your needs. Your first aid kit should consist of: Antiseptic wipes, Gauze, Band-Aids, An elastic bandage, Collapsible scissors, Gloves, Burn ointment, OTC Pain medication, Water purification tablets

You can customize it by adding your personal medications or allergy medications, either for the elements or food allergies in something you’ve4 eaten on the trail that you didn’t know contained the ingredient.

For more information of rwenzori mountains,  and about the Rwenzori trekking safaris, email us at:  info@rwenzorimountainsnationalpark.com, call/whatsApp us on +256774819223