Project Pressure Partners with Guideline Geo to Study Endangered Equatorial Glaciers

March 21 2025
In the heart of Africa, the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains stand as a breathtaking yet vulnerable reminder of our planet’s changing climate. Straddling the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to one of the world’s last tropical glacier systems, essential for regional water supplies and steeped in cultural significance for the Bakonzo people.

 

The urgency of this critical situation cannot be overstated. The UN has declared 2025 the Year of Glaciers’ Preservation – a sobering acknowledgment of what’s at stake. So, last year, when we were invited to support Project Pressure’s expedition to study the world’s last equatorial glaciers, we didn’t hesitate to say yes. The goal of the expedition was to use geophysical technology to analyze, map, and document these remaining glaciers before they disappear forever from our planet.

 

Expedition One: Rwenzori Mountains

In 2024 the first, of three, expeditions made their way to the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda/Congo), home to some of Africa’s last glaciers. What they found was both awe-inspiring and alarming.


The challenging trek up the Rwenzori mountains could not have been done without the support of the local team.

 

The rigorous climb up the Rwenzori mountains revealed the harsh reality of our changing world. After hiking through dense rainforests and alpine moorlands, the expedition arrived at the Stanley Plateau — the largest remaining glacier in the Rwenzori Mountains. Here they used a drone to take arial pictures of the glacier and, for the first time in history, a ground penetrating radar system was deployed across the tropical glaciers.


Klaus Thymann piloting the drone in the Rwenzori Mountains with Muhindo Rogers observing cloud movement.

 

Guideline Geo’s ProEx GPR was set up to provide data on the glacier’s depth, paired with drone surveys and repeat photography to document its retreat. The initial surveys have already captured invaluable information, highlighting the immense potential of combining advanced technology with on-ground expertise. Thymann and Sevestre worked with local guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority to capture data, the majority of the team was Bakonzo. The dramatic landscapes and ever-changing weather made it a challenging endeavor, but every step forward reaffirms the importance of our mission to protect these glaciers before they vanish.


Dr. Heïdi Sevestre while taking glacier measurements with a MALÅ ProEx GPR.

 

Upcoming Expeditions

Following the Rwenzori research, two more expeditions are planned in this race against time:

  • Illimani Glacier, Bolivia: A key water source in the Andes, this glacier will be analyzed using our radar technology to assess its structure and remaining volume.
  • Puncak Jaya, Papua, Indonesia: These are the last glaciers in the Pacific region, receding rapidly. This expedition is a crucial opportunity to document them while they are still around.

 


The team included Klaus Thymann, Muhindo Rogers, Kule Jocknus Bwabu Solomon, and Dr. Heïdi Sevestre.

 

From Glacier to Drinking Glass

Equatorial glaciers are vital water sources and early indicators of climate change. By supporting Project Pressure with our geophysical technology, Guideline Geo contributes to essential climate science while showcasing the practical applications of ground-penetrating radar in environmental research.