Mount Baker | Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Mount Baker is in Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda. It is placed 2.8 kilometres from the Ugandan border with Democratic Republic of Congo. Locally known as Kiyanja, the mountain is at a height of 4,844 metres (15,892 feet) making it the sixth highest mountain on the African continent. Together with Mount Speke and Mount Stanley, the trios form a triangle enfolding the upper Bujuku Valley.
The nearest peak is Mount Stanley, which is 2.26 kilometers (1.40 mi) to the west. The mountains lie within an area of ‘The Mountains of the Moon’.Along the edge of Mount Baker, are numerous sharp peaks, the same way all the Rwenzori Mountain Range peaks have and the highest being Edward Peak.
The elevation line of Mount Baker was first reached by the Austrian mountaineer Rubert Grauer trekking along with two British missionaries, H. W. Tegart Addox and H. E. M in January 1906.
In the same around February and April, the same rock-strewn point was touched by an English excursion mission including A. B. Wosnam, Alexander F. R. Wollaston and M. Carruthers. The uppermost summit of Mount Baker was at last ascended by an expedition headed by the Duke of the Abruzzi in June of 1906. This group hiked all the mountaintops of the other five top mountains of the Rwenzori.
On his expedition into the Ruwenzori in June 1891, Franz Stuhlmann observed the peak and named it either Ngemwimbi or Semper. Abruzzi gave new name to the mountain after Samuel Baker, a British explorer who in 1864 was the first European to see and tour Lake Albert, found in the northeast of the Rwenzori Mountains. Baker had also reported to sight “great mountainous masses away in the distance, to the south of Lake Albert.
RESUMPTION OF HIKING TO MARGHERITA PEAK IN RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is pleased to announce the resumption of hiking activities to Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns, UWA has successfully implemented safety enhancements to ensure the well-being of all hikers.
Key among these improvements is the construction of a bridge across the crevasse in the Margherita glacier. This bridge, along with additional climbing ropes installed in collaboration with our partners in the park, will enable safe passage through the challenging sections of the trail. With these safety measures now in place, hiking to Margherita Peak can safely resume. We are confident that these enhancements will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors seeking to summit one of Africa’s most iconic peaks.
We continue to encourage visitors to explore not only Margherita Peak but also the other stunning peaks within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, including Mount Speke, Mount Baker, and Cheptegei Peak on the Stanley Range. Each of the routes to these peaks offers a unique adventure, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains.
UWA will maintain close monitoring of the hiking routes to ensure ongoing safety and will provide updates as needed.
We look forward to welcoming adventurers back to the heights of Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
