Mount Gessi|Rwenzori Mountains
Mount Gessi|Rwenzori Mountains, mount Gessi is the 5th highest Rwenzori Mountain range with 4578 meters (15018 ft). mount Gessi features twin peaks of Lolanda peak 4715 meters (15,470 ft) and Bottego peak 4,699 meters (15418 ft)
Mount Gessi is just separated from Mount Emin by a narrow valley and a gorge. The mountain is situated in Rwenzori’s rocky and rugged area north south edge. Mount Gessi can be trekked from mutsori in congo when peace is restored in the DRC but easily accessed from Uganda and safe.
Mount Gessi trekking starts from Mugusu Valley through the forests beneath, to Roccato pass, which proceeds through the thick bush and shrubs. Thereafter, it takes you to the ridge between the two peaks. It is also believed that the peak was once covered with glaciers which later melted away.
Who named Mount Gessi|Rwenzori Mountains
Mount Gessi was named by Romolo Gessi who was an Italian soldier and explorer on his visit in the north east Africa in the 19th century. He described the course of the White Nile in Uganda and Sudan, explored and mapped its descent from lake Albert.
When to climb mount Gessi|Rwenzori Mountains
Mount Gessi|Rwenzori Mountains
Mount Gessi besides trekked at any time of the year, it is well climbed during the dry season when the trails are dry, the best months/dry season starts from December, January, February, may, June, July and August.
Mount Gessi can be easily accessed through the central circuit trail and Bukurungu trail.
Best itinerary to climb mount Gessi|Rwenzori mountains
Day 1: Nyakalengijo 1651m to Nyabithaba camp 2651m
You wake up in the cool air nyakalengijo hotels, meet your guides, escorts and soon set off on the 5 hours walk Nyabithaba camp at 2651m. You walk through a dense forest canopy, view variety of birds species, monkeys and you may have a chance to see the mountain elephants.
Hike duration: 4-5 hours.
Dinner and an overnight
Day 2: Nyabithaba camp 1651m – Johnmaate camp 3505m
The gloomy but breathtaking beautiful portal peaks greet you in the morning and shadow your right shoulder as you cross the confluence of the mubuku and Bujuku rivers by Kurt Shafer bridge, climbing and descending through bamboo forest, moss and lichen festooned trees Leeds you to Johnmaate camp.
Here evening sun often brings a tantalizing glimpse of gold struck margherita and Alexandria peaks and you would enjoy seeing the Snow.
It takes 7 hrs walk 7.5 km from Nyabithaba to Johnmaate camp.
Dinner and an overnight
Day 3: Johnmaate camp 3505m – skull cave camp
After breakfast in the morning, you step out of the camp to cross the lower bigo board walk and reach bigo camp to join the valley heading to skull cave, the trail takes you through the tiring bog in the Heather/ Rupenia zones and high chances of seeing the Rwenzori Turaco birds are high here.
It takes 6-7 hours from bigo hut to skull cave camp for dinner and an overnight.
Day 4: skull cave camp – lac de laluna camp
In the morning you set off from skull cave to lac de laluna camp where Breathtaking taking views down the valley of Congo sides start your day as you ascend steeply to lac de laluna camp.
It’s a tough day but of course worthy because you shall get a clear view of Congolese homesteads as you ascend to the camp.
It takes 7-8 hours walk from skull cave to lake de laluna for a wilderness dinner and an overnight.
Day 5: lac de laluna – mount Gessi. 4800m (Congo side peaks)
In the early morning, you prepare with your guides to attempt mount Gessi lolanda peak and bottego peak
Difficult boulders and steep slopping rocks are followed easily and challenging.
After taking your beautiful pictures of the Congolese side return back to lac de laluna for dinner and an overnight
Day 6: lac de laluna camp – John maate camp 3505m
It’s a gentle walk from lac de la to Johnmaate camp though a bit challenging as it descends down to bigo camp. It gives you chance to see mount Baker, Mount Stanley and mount speke.
Takes 8 hours from. Lac de laluna to Johnmaate camp.
Dinner and an overnight.
Day 7: Johnmaate camp 3505m – Nyabithaba camp – mihunga gate.
Your final day and all you can think of is a hot bath and a restaurant meal, but you have to wait a bit longer to walk through the bogs and bamboo forest to proceed your second glimpse of Nyabithaba to have a night or just a cup of coffee and onward to Nyakalengijo. You arrive in mid afternoon, exhausted, but with a smile and memories that won’t wash off with the dirty and tiredness in your hot shower.
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