- Date: Dec 2021.
- Location: Rwenzori Mountains – Uganda.
- Route: Central Circuit Trail.
- Difficulty: Very Hard.
- Duration: 8 Days.
- Peaks done: Margherita Peak and Mt. Speke: Vittorio Emanuele Peak.
- Total Distance: 64.1 km.
- Total Elevation Gain: 5,069 m.
Day 1: Mihunga Gate (1,700 m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2,651 m).
- Distance: 6.5 km.
- Time: 3 hr 38 min.
- Elevation Gain: 923 m.
- Elevation Loss: 63 m.
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Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut (2,651 m) to John Matte Hut (3,414 m).
- Distance: 9.7 km.
- Time: 6 hr 11 min.
- Elevation Gain: 961 m.
- Elevation Loss: 161 m.
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Day 3: John Matte Hut (3,414 m) to Bujuku Hut (3,962 m).
- Distance: 6 km
- Time: 5 hr 31 min
- Elevation Gain: 592 m
- Elevation Loss: 26 m
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Day 4: Bujuku Hut – Mount Speke (4,890 m) – Bujuku Hut.
- Distance: 6 km
- Time: 11 hr 7 min
- Bujuku Hut Elevation: 3,962 m
- Mount Speke Vittorio Emanuele Peak: 4,890 m
- Elevation Gain: 818 m
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Day 5: Bujuku Hut (3,962 m) to Elena Hut (4,541 m)
- Distance: 2.8 km
- Time: 4 hr 30 min
- Elevation Gain: 606 m
- Elevation Loss: 34 m
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Day 6: Elena Hut – Margherita Peak (5,109 m) – Elena Hut.
- Distance: 5.6 km
- Time: 10 hr 45 min
- Elena Hut Elevation: 4,541 m
- Margherita Peak Elevation: 5,109 m
- Elevation Gain: 609 m
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Day 7: Elena Hut (4,541 m) to Kitandara Hut (4,023 m)
- Distance: 4.3 km
- Time: 2 hr 51 min
- Elevation Gain: 109 m
- Elevation Loss: 639 m
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Day 8: Kitandara Hut (4,023 m) to Mihunga Gate (1,700 m).
- Distance: 23.2 km
- Time: 12 hr 6 min
- Elevation Gain: 451 m
- Elevation Loss: 2,671 m
This is the toughest hike I’ve done yet! The terrain is difficult to deal with. It’s steep, muddy, very boggy, slippery rocks.. The weather is also a challenge. It was cold and rained a lot.
As tough as it was, it is such a beautiful mountain range. The rivers, lakes, glaciers, mountain peaks.. Amazing scenery!
I’m happy that I managed to do 2 peaks: Margherita Peak (5,109 M) and Mount Speke Vittorio Emanuele Peak (4,890 M). Both were tough climbs with some technical parts.
Come to Russia for a visit – knee-deep snow 👍😁❤️