Talk:Ruwenzori Range

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It is requested that a photograph or photographs be included in this article to improve its quality, if possible. Wikipedians in Uganda may be able to help!

It is requested that a photograph or photographs be included in this article to improve its quality, if possible. Wikipedians in Democratic Republic of the Congo may be able to help!

I'm doubtful that William Stairs made the first ascent of the highest point, since it really needs ice equipment and expertise, also the reference to the nonexistent "Mt Ruwenzori" suggests he just got to some high point without knowing which one it was. Time for some further research. Stan 21:12 May 2, 2003 (UTC)

This mountain range is most often referred to as Mt Ruwenzori, even by the government of Uganda. The ascent of William Stairs is documented in his very detailed report written on June 8, 1889 to the expedition commander, Henry Stanley. This report, in the Public Archives of Nova Scotia, is reproduced in full on pages 405-409 in the book by the Hon. Roy MacLaren. NightCrawler 18:31, 12 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Heh, Stairs' account is detailed but erroneous, not uncommon in explorers' reports of that era. The Duke's expedition was the first to accurately map out the Ruwenzori, and among other things they determined that it was not a single mountain peak. The use of "Mt X" for an entire range is an archaism that fell out of favor nearly a century ago, although it continues to be a source of confusion, particularly from incompetent government officials propagating it by cut-n-pasting from ancient documents. I think I'll add a note to mountain and mountain range, since it comes up periodically. (I note that my Atlas of the World's Mountains from 1963 finesses by saying just "Ruwenzori", although modern atlases add the "Range".) Stan 19:07, 12 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Stan is correct; Stairs did not reach the highest point. But Stan's opinion on "range" v. "mountains" has been kicked out of touch by the international and Uganda Government's official designation of the "Rwenzori Mountains National Park" which covers about two thirds of it and is a World Heritage Site. I have made various small edits to the page, mainly to the spelling "Rwenzori", to the surviving glacier number and area and to the references which are also the authorities for my edits. "Mount Margherita" should be amended to "Margherita Peak" but I have not done this in case it upsets the link from it. Osmaston 9 Dec 2005