Jamie Fitzgerald is one half of the intrepid duo retracing the steps of some famous Kiwi explorers in First Crossings. He talks to James Croot about his favourite spots, making season two and spending so much time with Kevin Biggar.
How did you first get involved in First Crossings and what attracted you to it
Kevin and I were asked by a production company if we’d be interested in completing “new” adventures as part of a TV show.
After a bit of discussion, we agreed it’d be more interesting to focus on journeys already done by trail-blazing pioneers. Being able to bring the history to life was a great way to see some amazing parts of the New Zealand wilderness, but also to avoid the challenge of finding unexplored places.
I really liked the thought of being able to learn about the pioneers by experiencing the same types of challenges (like how irritating it is to climb rock walls in hobnail boots), rather than just reading about it, explaining it to the people through the camera while pointing to the distance where the explorers went.
What is it about the crossings featured in this second season that made you choose them
For season two, we really wanted to showcase a wide range of environments (and challenges) by the explorers. We were underground in caving systems, deep-sea treasure hunting, paddling down rivers in old wooden boats, using surveying gear, on horseback, everything. Even the eras in which the stories are based is varied – from back in the 1800s, to as recent as the 1960s. Sadly, though, each one involves plenty of back-breaking effort.
What makes Kevin such a good climbing/tramping partner His mum would say, “how he was raised” – although she’s probably right.
Kev’s got quite an analytical mind, which means that when we’re facing a problem or challenge he can look at it, and know what the right questions are that we should be asking ourselves.
For our South Pole campaign (in the summer of 2006-07), I sometimes thought he was like a nutty professor, but his challenging the norm meant that we benefited from some great innovations. Expeditions down there after us have benefited from some of his ideas.
But what is his most irritating habit
Easy. When we need to recall a fact about the First Crossings pioneers, he can remember which page the fact is on from the books we’ve read. I’ve stopped bothering trying to compete.
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What’s your favourite place/spot in New Zealand
Gladstone, Wairarapa. As part of my role with either First Crossings or as a motivational speaker, I have the wonderful opportunity to visit most parts of the country, and love it. With so much travel, though, I love getting the chance to head over the hill to a small family farm in the Wairarapa with the family. Can’t beat it.
What’s the worst injury you’ve ever suffered
During our South Pole expedition, I spent the last 500km dragging the sled with torn hamstrings. Each day would start with an interesting combination of painkillers, anti-inflammatories and Strepsils (they were in the medical bag and we were so hungry that I hoped they had some calorific value.).
Do you have a favourite explorer and why
From our First Crossings, the journey that stands out the most for me are the Open Bay Island sealers. This was a story that I never knew about. In 1809, these 10 guys (led by David Lawrieston) were dropped off on the island (600 metres x 100 metres), told to kill the 10,000 seals, and they’d be picked up in a few weeks – but the ship never returned.
They spend almost four years desperately trying to survive the rugged West Coast weather, and they all made it. That’s the most amazing part of the story for me. Lawrieston’s a lot like Shackleton. During so many hardships he kept them alive and kept adapting their plan to get out alive. Once they were finally spotted by a passing ship and taken back to Sydney, a song was written about their story, and it was (we’re pretty sure) the first-ever song written about New Zealand in English.
How did you first get into adventuring
I was never a kid that went hiking each weekend. I started rowing at high school and carried on with it after I left. I made the New Zealand team, but a few years later during some study I had the chance to race 5km against Oxford University.
We won, but was then asked to be the reserve for a crew that was to row across the Atlantic Ocean. “Sure,” I said. I mean, when is the reserve used in these sorts of things, and I was surely gonna get a free T-shirt out of it! The next day, I was told that I was in the crew, it was 5000km, and I’d be leaving for the start in three weeks. One more challenge – I hadn’t met the guy I’d be rowing with. Finally did, his name was Kevin Biggar.
What food would you never leave home without and what’s the one non-food item that is an essential in your backpack
After a bunch of long expeditions filled with basic food, I love having apples on my trips into the bush. They might take up a bit of space and weigh a bit, but they’re a great treat after a few days of rice. After that, tea bags – but not that horrible Earl Grey stuff. Who even buys that
First Crossings 8.30pm, Tuesdays, TV One
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