Tamsin Gay has worked for West Coast Mountain Guides over the last winter and now works full-time for Ratho International climbing Centre in Edinburgh. She has sent this review which should be of interest to anyone looking for low level running/trekking footwear.

Thanks Tamsin.

..."I recently wore the Timberland Mountain Athletics to Russia where I used them as an approach shoe to walk across gentle but off-road terrain to the snow line (where we swapped for skis) on the North side off Mt Elbrus.  Mt Elbrus is Europe's highest mountain at 5,642m and we believe we may have been the first Brits to summit from the North on skis.  
 
The shoes were comfortable and light and did a reasonable job on tussocky, grassy terrain but they were better suited to tracks and paths.  I was concerned about my ankles on the more technical ground due to the built up sole around the heel.   Irritatingly they did nothing to prevent my feet from getting wet although they did then dry out quickly.  I found them pretty grippy on both wet grass and rock although they aren't stiff enough to be used on technical mountain terrain such as a scramble.  I liked the tongue as it is small and offers no danger of rubbing against the front of your ankle when flexing to walk or run uphill.  The lacing system also did a good job although I felt a lack of foot support; I'd have liked my foot to be held more firmly in the shoe by the innersole and the structure of the shoe itself.  
 
Day to day I find the trainers really comfortable as I am on my feet a lot at work. I would recommend them to anybody keen on low level track or path running or long non-serious treks.  
 
Sadly they reminded me, slightly, of the Silver Shadows that my mother forced me to wear to P.E. and which set me apart from the cool kids even if they were a step-up from the black, slip-on plimsoll brigade.  How about some brighter colours (apple green is very 2010 in the outdoor market) and some less plastic, less smell retentive outer material?"...
 
Thanks for letting my try them, the experience will encourage me to consider Timberland footwear in the future.
 
Tamsin Gay.
Senior Instructor
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena: Ratho

Book early for next winter
Current prices on the website for winter courses 2011 will be maintained until 1st September, so an early booking could help you make a saving. This will also apply to the accommodation at Calluna.

Castle Ridge at the crux moves. Grade III

Alpine Courses
Alpine programmes for mid July to mid August are now all full, but it may be possible to arrange private guiding after those dates.

Mt Blanc de Courmayeur from the summit of Mt Blanc.

     
Alan Kimber, Director of West Coast Mountain Guides is a member of these associations and licenced to offer mountain activities with AALA. Forty years of mountain experience backs up these qualifications.