This is an archived web site I designed in 1997 for Hot Ice Ltd, a Uganda safari operator. Subsequent years brought trouble for the Ugandan travel industry, and this site was discontinued. Things have improved since then. You can look them up for current contact information.
Day Four
On Day Four to continue the circuit you leave directly west from Bujuku Huton a newer trail which rises and falls twice before climbing steeply through magical moss - draped Groundsel Gully towards 14,345 ft (4,372 m) Scott-Elliot Pass.
At the head of the gully is a short strong ladder at a particulary steep section, after which, a right hand branch would lead to Elena Hut (14,77ft/4,430m). This is a steep rocky trail which when wet or icy is treacherously slippery. Continuing straight, and a few step s below the pass there is a sheltered spot for a break, from here there is a second trail to the right to Elena Hut.
Elena is a cold, windy place, which on some days does not
go above freezing. This is the base camp for climbing Margherita Peak, the
highest point in Uganda at 16,763ft (5,109 m). Margherita Peak is the Mt.
Stanley complex, which requires an additional day or
two and can only be attempted with an ice axe, mountain boots, crampons,
ropes and prior arrangements with suitably experienced RMS guides.
A view from the climb is shown at right.
The circuit itself continues to the left over Scott Elliot Pass and enters an alpine zone of sparse low vegetation and stark rough boulders more familiar to high altitude climbers from northern latitudes. If the weather is bad here ( rain, snow and wind can occur at any season) the conditions for "hypothermia" are ideal. Do not delay your descent towards Kitandara Lakes below.
As you leave the pass however, you may enjoy spectatular views northward to Margherita peak and Elena and Savoia Glaciers, and Mt. Baker (15,889ft/4,843 m ) towering above you to the east (left) of the trail. Having dropped a few hundred feet in elevation from the pass you cut below massive rock walls at the base of Mt. Baker. Here dramatic "impact craters" have been caused by large rocks fallen from above, and your guide may caution you against loud noises!
Rising and falling, the trail descends past Upper Kitandara
Lake through bad mud to a lower Lake and Kitandara Hut (13,200ft/4,023 m).
This lovely site is surrounded by towering peaks, but the sun sets early
and the nights can be very cold. Time from Bujuku Hut to Kitandara Hut is
usually 5 hours. The elevation gain to the pass from Bujuku is a modest 1,400
ft (425m), but ups and downs neary double that amount. And because Scott
Elliot is the high point so far, some hikers will be slower due to
greater effort required at these altitudes. Watch especially for signs of
altitude sickness.
Day Five
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