The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has temporarily suspended hiking activities at Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountain National Park.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the UWA Communications manager, Bashir Hangi, said that the decision comes as a precautionary measure after a comprehensive assessment report conducted by the team in response to a report of crevasse formation in the Margherita glacier.

A crevasse is simply a deep crack in a glacier or ice sheet, and it poses dangers to hikers and mountain climbers. This is a wedge-shaped opening in a moving mass of ice called a glacier and usually forms in the top 50 meters (160 feet) of a glacier, where the ice is brittle.

“To make hiking safe, we are exploring the option of installing a permanent ladder at strategic locations on the right side of Margherita Peak. This alternative route will ensure a safer passage for hikers to Margherita Peak, and in the interim, we encourage visitors to explore other picturesque areas within Rwenzori Mountain National Park,” Hangi said.

He listed alternatives as Mount Speke, Mount Baker, and Cheptegei Peak on the Stanley Range, adding that they offer breathtaking views and a unique experience amidst the stunning landscape of the park.

In 2010, the remaining ice cap on the Rwenzori Mountain covering Margherita Peak split, creating a crevasse of six meters, prompting UWA to temporarily close hiking activities.

Crevasses also form when different parts of a glacier move at different speeds. When traveling down a valley, for example, a glacier moves faster in the middle. The sides of a glacier are slowed down as they scrape against valley walls. As the sections advance at different speeds, crevasses open in the ice.