The Discovery of Buwenzori. 
The geographical periodical “Globus,” published, in 1904, 
a brief notice of an ascent on the chain of Buwenzori made in 
April of that year by Dr. J. J. David. He was reported to 
have reached an altitude of about 16,400 feet. Two years later 
the “Bollettino” of the Italian Geographical Society published 
an article by Bevelli on Dr. David’s expedition based upon his 
own notes. David had chosen the route of the Butagu Valley 
to the west of the chain which had not been explored since 
Scott Elliot. Ascending a tributary valley be reached the 
glaciers in seven days. Through the glaciers he reached a col, 
covered with ice, upon which was a small rocky peak of gneiss 
about 150 feet high. From here he was able to see the valleys 
descending on the opposite slope towards Uganda. He was 
stopped here by the evident danger of proceeding alone upon 
the glacier. The altitude of the pass which he had reached 
(16,400 feet) seems to have been ascertained by triangulation. 
The absolute lack of more precise data and of any detailed 
account of the route which he followed prevents us from 
identifying the peak which he ascended. Probably David 
might have been able to point out his route upon one of the 
photographs taken by Stuhlmann in the higher Butagu Valley, 
and reproduced in his book. # 
In the course of the same year, 1904, M. T. Dawe made an 
important botanical expedition up the Mobuku Valley. This 
expedition was, however, without results from the point of view 
of the mountaineer. 
During the time which had now elapsed since the occupation, 
a railway line had been opened between Mombasa, on the coast 
* There is the possibility that David may have reached the saddle between 
the Elena and Savoia Peaks of Mt. Stanley (about 15,750 feet), where a rocky 
tooth would seem to correspond to his description. 
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