Do You Need a Balaclava?

Most people don’t use a balaclava on the mountain. Many just zip up their jacket and fleece, pull down their hat, and keep much of their face exposed.

Personally, it would have been wonderful, only on the last day, to have a balaclava on the final ascent to the Uhuru summit. It would have saved freezing face that was getting nailed by wind. I highly recommend bringing one. And, don’t worry, there are some rather nice ones available through Mountain Hardware, so you don’t have to look like you are about to rob a convenient store.