Before the Mountain: Gear, Medication and the Journey to Kilimanjaro

After months of training, planning and talking about Kilimanjaro, the climb is finally here.

But before taking our first step on the Machame Route, there was another challenge to navigate: getting ourselves — and everything we needed — from Canada to Tanzania.

Preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro isn't simply about becoming physically fit. In the final weeks, our attention shifted from training to equipment, medication, packing, airline restrictions and one question that became increasingly important:

What happens if our luggage doesn't arrive with us?

When you are travelling for a regular vacation, delayed luggage is frustrating. When you are scheduled to begin a seven-day climb to 5,895 metres shortly after arriving, it can affect the entire expedition.

Preparing for More Than Just the Climb

Our gear preparation took months.

Kilimanjaro requires clothing and equipment for dramatically different environments. The lower slopes can be warm and humid, while higher elevations bring wind, freezing temperatures and potentially severe cold around summit night.

That meant thinking in layers rather than simply packing "warm clothes": base layers, insulating layers, waterproof protection, hiking socks, gloves and mittens, head protection, proper footwear and the equipment we would need each day.

Then there were the smaller things that suddenly didn't seem so small: headlamps, batteries, charging equipment, water systems, sunglasses, cameras and personal items.

Every piece had a purpose, but every piece also added weight.

And that created our next challenge.

The Carry-On Dilemma

One of our biggest concerns was our checked luggage being delayed.

Our journey involved multiple flights and a relatively short connection. Every additional transfer creates another point where luggage needs to make it from one aircraft to another.

We therefore wanted enough essential climbing equipment in our carry-on backpacks that, in a worst-case scenario, we could still begin the expedition even if our checked bags arrived late.

The problem? Airline carry-on limits.

Ethiopian Airlines currently lists an Economy Class cabin allowance of one piece weighing up to 7 kg, with maximum dimensions of 23 × 40 × 55 cm.

Seven kilograms disappears remarkably quickly when you're carrying technical clothing, electronics and essential climbing equipment.

That created a balancing act.

What absolutely had to remain with us? What could go into checked luggage? And what could realistically be replaced in Tanzania if something went wrong?

There was also an uncomfortable possibility: even after carefully packing our backpacks, the airline could determine that a bag was too heavy or too large for the cabin and require us to check it.

Suddenly, our "backup plan" could become part of the luggage we were trying to protect ourselves from losing.

Why Delayed Luggage Matters More on Kilimanjaro

A delayed suitcase is normally an inconvenience.

For an expedition, timing changes everything.

We couldn't simply wait several days for a suitcase to arrive. Our climb had a scheduled starting date, guides, porters, accommodations and an itinerary designed around gradual progression up the mountain.

If critical equipment didn't arrive in time, we would face difficult choices: find replacement equipment locally, rent what was available, change our plans or potentially jeopardize the climb.

Airlines do have systems for tracing delayed baggage. Ethiopian Airlines, for example, uses WorldTracer and advises passengers to report missing baggage immediately and obtain a Property Irregularity Report reference number.

But knowing that a suitcase is being searched for doesn't necessarily solve the immediate problem when your expedition is leaving.

So we added another layer of protection.

A Small Tracker for a Very Important Bag

We placed tracking devices inside our luggage.

An AirTag or compatible tracking device cannot prevent a suitcase from being delayed, and it doesn't replace the airline's baggage-tracing system. What it can provide is additional information about where the bag may be.

Interestingly, Ethiopian Airlines now specifically provides a process for passengers to share an AirTag location link when reporting delayed baggage, which can help with locating a missing bag.

For us, the trackers were less about technology and more about reducing uncertainty.

If our bags didn't appear on the carousel in Tanzania, at least we might have some indication whether they were nearby, sitting at our connecting airport or thousands of kilometres behind us.

The Short-Layover Problem

Our connection added another concern.

A short layover might be convenient for passengers, but it leaves less time for both people and luggage to make the next aircraft.

We could move quickly through the airport.

Our suitcases couldn't.

Once checked in Toronto, they were largely outside our control. They needed to be unloaded, sorted, transferred and loaded onto the connecting flight while we made our own way to the next gate.

Missing the connection ourselves was one concern.

Arriving in Tanzania while our climbing equipment remained behind was another.

It was a good reminder that expedition planning extends far beyond the mountain itself.

Preparing the Medical Kit

Medication was another important part of our preparation.

Kilimanjaro rises to approximately 5,895 metres, where altitude illness is a genuine concern. The CDC recommends that travellers heading to high altitude discuss prevention and appropriate medication with a healthcare professional.

Our preparation therefore included speaking with our doctor and organizing the medications and basic medical supplies appropriate for our trip rather than simply building our own pharmacy.

Travel guidance also recommends keeping essential medications in carry-on luggage, in their original labelled containers, and bringing enough for the trip plus additional medication in case of travel delays.

Just like our boots and essential layers, medication wasn't something we wanted separated from us.

Now, the Mountain

There comes a point when preparation has to end.

We trained. We researched. We tested equipment. We packed, unpacked and repacked. We weighed bags and debated what belonged in the cabin versus the suitcase. We prepared for altitude, weather, delayed luggage and tight connections.

But you can never eliminate every risk.

You can only prepare for as many as possible.

Tomorrow, September 24, we begin the Machame Route.

For months, Kilimanjaro has existed on training schedules, equipment lists, maps and computer screens.

Tomorrow, it becomes real.

And step by step, we begin climbing higher together.

Thank You for Helping Us Climb Higher Together

As we prepare for our Mount Kilimanjaro climb this September, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to our Climbing Higher Together fundraiser in support of CAMH.

Every donation—large or small—means more than simply helping us move closer to our $5,895 fundraising goal, one dollar for every meter of Kilimanjaro. It represents encouragement, compassion, and a shared belief that mental health deserves greater awareness, support, and conversation.

When Lori and I take our first steps toward the summit, we will be carrying far more than our backpacks. We will be carrying the support of our family, friends, patients, colleagues, businesses, and members of our community who have chosen to stand behind this cause.

To everyone who has already sponsored a meter, shared our story, or encouraged us along the way: thank you for being part of this journey.

The summit may be our destination, but the real purpose of this climb is the impact we can create together.

We are climbing higher together—one step, one meter, and one donation at a time.

With gratitude,
Laurent & Lori

Why We're Supporting Mental Health

Every Day, We Meet People Climbing Mountains of Their Own

On September 24, 2026, we'll begin a seven-day climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at 5,895 meters.

For many people, climbing Kilimanjaro is a bucket-list adventure. For us, it's something much more meaningful.

Every day at Pillars of Wellness we work with people facing challenges that can feel like mountains of their own. Some are recovering from injuries or surgery. Others are learning to manage chronic pain, neurological conditions, mobility limitations, anxiety, depression, grief, or life's unexpected obstacles.

Although every journey is different, they all have something in common: resilience.

We've seen firsthand that progress doesn't always happen in giant leaps. Sometimes it's taking a few more steps without pain. Sometimes it's returning to work after an injury. Sometimes it's finding the courage to ask for help. Every achievement matters.

That resilience inspired Climbing Higher Together. More information on our page: https://pillarsofwellness.ca/climbing-higher-together/

More Than a Mountain

Kilimanjaro will challenge us physically and mentally.

There will be steep climbs, changing weather, fatigue, high altitude, and moments when taking the next step feels difficult.

Those moments remind us of what so many people experience every day.

While we'll be climbing one mountain in Tanzania, thousands of people throughout Burlington and Halton are climbing challenges of their own.

Our goal isn't simply to reach the summit.

Our goal is to remind people that no one has to climb alone.

Why We're Supporting Mental Health

Mental health affects every family, every workplace, every school, and every community.

Many people silently face anxiety, depression, stress, grief, burnout, or other mental health challenges while continuing to care for their families, go to work, and support those around them.

Recovery often begins with one conversation, one connection, and one person willing to help.

That's why we're proud to support CAMH Halton through this campaign.

Funds raised will help strengthen access to local mental health programs and services that make a real difference in people's lives.

Introducing Climbing Higher Together

Climbing Higher Together is a community movement built around one simple belief:

Every step counts.

You don't need to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to participate.

Walk your neighborhood.

Hike your favourite trail.

Ride your bike.

Go for a run.

Complete your rehabilitation exercises.

Join a fitness class.

Move in whatever way works for you.

Every step honor someone overcoming challenges while supporting better mental health in our community.

The 5,895 Challenge

Mount Kilimanjaro stands 5,895 meters above sea level.

To celebrate that journey, we're inviting everyone to take part in the 5,895 Challenge.

Participate on your own or with your family, workplace, school, sports team, or community group.

Set a movement goal that's meaningful to you, track your progress, and encourage others to join you.

It's not about who finishes first.

It's about climbing together.

Sponsor a Meter

We're also inviting our community to help us reach our fundraising goal by Sponsoring a Meter.

Our goal is to raise $5,895—one dollar for every meter of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Whether you sponsor one meter or one hundred, every donation helps strengthen local mental health services while showing someone they don't have to face life's challenges alone.

Every contribution makes a difference.

Follow the Journey

Throughout the expedition, we'll be sharing photos, videos, stories, and reflections directly from Mount Kilimanjaro.

We'll take you along every stage of the climb—from the rainforest to the alpine desert and, hopefully, all the way to Uhuru Peak.

More importantly, we'll share the stories that inspired this journey in the first place.

Climbing Higher Together

We believe resilience grows when communities come together.

Whether you're donating, joining the 5,895 Challenge, sponsoring a meter, sharing our campaign, or simply encouraging someone who needs support, you're helping create a lasting impact.

Together, we can celebrate resilience, strengthen our community, and remind people that every mountain is easier to climb when we climb together.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Laurent & Lori