The Magneetrots as well as the Tebutop, the Roseveltpiek, and the Kasikasima were first explored in 1904 during the Tapanahony expedition.[2][3]
On 16 August 1904, the expedition led by Alphons Franssen Herderschee, made a first unsuccessful attempt at climbing the mountain.[4] On 19 August, they tried again. Magnetic disturbances were observed by several expedition members, and therefore the mountain was named Magneetrots (English: magnet rock). The first part of the climb was a gentle slope upwards with many overhanging rocks, however near the top, there was a steep wall.[5]