I think it’d be fair to say that Colin does not suffer fools gladly and he’s not afraid to tell people if he thinks they are wrong. Forgetting work, these two traits are not obvious and are performed in such away as normally not to cause offense.

This is only true up to a point. The manufacturer of his boots, I think has driven him beyond that we’ll mannered, gentlemanly like person that he is.

Although the boots are about two years old, I think I’m right in saying that they were until July, in pristine condition. In July this year, while he was in Spain, he broke them in, ready for the trip to Kilimanjaro. They are a popular boot, I assume designed for such terrain that Kilimanjaro will throw at them by a manufacturer that has been synonymous with the outdoor industry for many years.

On day two I noticed that, while following Colin the heal was starting to come away from the sole of his left boot. Colin didn’t appear overly worried as he was convinced that the guides would be able to fix it. I wasn’t quite so optimistic and by the time we got into Shira I camp the whole soul had come away. Colin was still optimistic about a repair, but by this time was cursing the manufacturer uphill and down dale. I have to say I 100% agreed. ‘Not fit for purpose’ sprang to mind. The terrain in no way has been difficult.

Day three saw the situation get worse. One boot was sole less and the sole on the other boot started to come away. By this, his normal gentleman like behaviour had slipped into of torrid of abuse and he was planning his letter to the CEO of the manufacturer, he was going to find out where he lived his personal email address and his personal phone number. I’m not sure these details could be obtained legally! This continued on and off all the time we were walking.

Then the boot with no sole started to split at the toe… this CEO is in for some letter from Colin, most of which I can’t print! Imran was only walking in a pair of trainers and had his boots in his rucksack, so lent Colin, just the one boot that was split. He was able to make Shira II camp in reasonable comfort with odd boots! Fortunately, I took a pair of boots for summit day and a pair of trail shoes for the rest of the trek. My boots are a little bit big but nothing an extra pair of socks hasn’t cured. Colin has worn my boots all day today, which has been the longest and hardest day so far, hopefully, all is well with them

The manufacturer of Colin’s boots…..NORTH FACE