icx) CLIMBING IN RUWENZORI 



Towards the north-west was a big snow-peak* 

 about 400 feet higher than ours, forming a big 

 western buttress of the range ; and further away, 

 apparently three or four miles to the north-west, 

 appeared two beautiful sharp-pointed snow-peaks,t 

 which seemed to be about 1,000 feet higher than 

 our peak, and must be unquestionably the highest 

 peaks in the range. Our estimate of their heights 

 proved to be approximately correct; H.R. H. the 

 Duke of the Abruzzi climbed them in the following 

 June, and found their heights to be 16,815 ^^^^ 

 (Margherita Peak) and 16,749 feet (Queen Alex- 

 andra Peak). The peaks were seen rising out of 

 a dense bank of clouds, which lay between us and 

 them, so that it was impossible to tell in what way 

 they were connected with the other peaks of the 

 range. All too soon the clouds enveloped us 

 again more densely than before, and it was fully 

 time to start back towards Bujongolo. Thanks to 

 our trail of * everlasting ' flowers, we lost no time in 

 the descent, and we staggered into camp just as 

 darkness set in, after one of the most tiring days 

 I have ever experienced. 



At this point, even at the risk of wearying the 

 reader with topographical details, it may be as well 

 to recapitulate some of the theories which had 

 been held as to the highest peak of Ruwenzori. 

 Dr. Stuhlmann, during his explorations in the 



* Savoia Peak, 16,339 feet. 



i The two peaks of Mount Stanley. 



