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Why do glaciers remain near the summit of Margherita Peak?

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Cluster of small houses in a village nestled among green hills beside the wide Congo River, with more hills visible in the background, Democratic Republic of Congo. — Central Africa A small village in the hills along the banks of the Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa.

Glaciers persist near the summit of Margherita Peak primarily due to its high altitude, which allows for the accumulation of snow and ice despite the region's proximity to the Equator.1

The Ruwenzori Range, where the peak is located, is characterized by a unique climate influenced by the convergence of moist airstreams from the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. These airstreams create significant cloud cover and high levels of precipitation, with approximately 80 inches (2,000 mm) of rain falling annually at 15,000 feet. This consistent moisture, combined with the mountain's elevation—which rises to 16,795 feet (5,119 meters)—supports the existence of relict glaciers in the summit zones.234

While the 20th century saw a trend of rapid glacial retreat in East Africa, these high-altitude conditions continue to sustain small glaciers on the mountain massifs.4