Since it is in the tropics it must receive 90 degree sunlight at noon twice a year? Does that melt the snow at the peak or is it always covered in snow?
The mention of glaciers (and the pictures) at this site suggest permanent snow cap at the summit. They may be in the tropics, but 22,000 feet is pretty damn high.
Mount Kenya is virtually on the equator (just 10 miles south), and only just over 17,000ft high, and that has permanent glaciers.