Afritrex - The Mountains
Pic Marguerite, DRC 
Elevation: 5,109m
First ascent: 1906 by Duke of the Abruzzi and party.
Range: Ruwenzori
Easiest route: rock/snow climb
Coordinates: 0°23′09″N, 29°52′18″E
Date of Ascent: (predicted) 21 July 2008
As we approach the central belt of Africa, the pleasures of the tropical climate will become painfully apparent as we start to hack through the surrounding jungle and marshlands skirting the foothills of the Ruwenzori range. We look forward to our third ascent with excitement, but also trepidation as the journey to the base range entails crossing territory controlled by rival Congolese factions, still fighting for supremacy.
Pic Marguerite is the highest peak of Mount Stanley (also known as Ruwenzori), itself the highest mountain in the Ruwenzori Range of Congo and the third highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) and Mount Kenya (5,199 m). The peak and several other surrounding peaks are high enough to support glaciers.
Mt. Stanley consists of two twin summits and several lower peaks.
Mt. Stanley was first climbed in 1906 by Duke of the Abruzzi, J. Petigax, C. Ollier and J. Brocherel. Pic Marguerite is named after Queen Margherita of Savoy. The Bujuku valley is enclosed within a steep triangle formed by Mount Stanley and Mounts Speke and Baker, the second and third highest Ruwenzori peaks respectively. Claimed as a trophy by Stanley who was hacking through the jungle to become the first man to traverse the jungle belt of the continent and open up the Congo to the subsequently brutal regime of King Leopold, this mountain is the jewel in our challenge. Stanley may have though it heaven itself, a rock of calm amidst a sea of impassable jungle and swamp. For us, though, this will be far from a rest. The approach to the Ruwenzori: four days of jungle and bogs on all sides give way to a towering shadow of rock and a mighty climb, eased only by good trails, plenty of overnight huts and, from Mutsori (Congo) local tribesmen available as guides or porters.
Now navigate to -
Toubkal | Cameroun | Pic Marguerite | Kilimanjaro | Ras Dashen | back to Mountains
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