Julie Fieldhouse

Julie is a qualified Mountain Leader, a DofE Accredited Assessor, and soon to be a qualified REC first aid trainer. She works as a freelance ML and climbing instructor.

Julie has been involved in leading groups of young people and adults in outdoor activities for the past 25 years. She has also led DofE groups in the UK and Europe for 10 years. Although she does lots of outdoor activities her favourite is travelling and camping in wild places.

Here are Julie's answers to our expedition questions:

What is the most memorable expedition that you have been on?

Now that is a really difficult one, probably a trip in the Stubai in Austria to climb a mountain called Zucherhutl. It was the first ever time I had climbed at altitude, let alone bivvied that high. We walked in to our camping spot which was a small flat area of stony ground next to a lake in which the braver ones of us swam. The mountain we were climbing the next day appeared to tower above us and as the sun set and the moon rose it seemed to glow surrounded by a myriad of sparkling stars. I was too excited or nervous to sleep very much so I looked at it all night and that vision often comes into my head even now.

If you were doing your Gold Expedition this year where would you go?

The French Pyrenees, the scenery is fantastic, the amount of wild life that can be seen is amazing and there are lots of streams and lakes to camp beside.

What is the one luxury item that you always take with you on an expedition?

My very old down jacket which is patched with gaffer tape. I use it as a pillow; I can sleep anywhere if my head is comfy and obviously I can wear it if I get cold.