Jit Patel

Season 12

Age: 35

Hometown: Anakiwa, New Zealand

Profession: Outdoor Educator

Jit was born in the UK and grew up in South London. He was introduced to the outdoors mainly through school camps, but at 14 joined the Army Cadets. This gave him his first experience ofembracing the elements and learning to push himself through challenges.

With all that travel, he knew the UK might not be where he would settle down, but was keen to find that place. He spent a year in Australia and then went to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa.

It was in New Zealand where he began working for Outward Bound, an Outdoor Education Charity that believes in building resilience and learning more about yourself and others by living and adventuring together in the outdoors. His first full-time job saw him in that role for nearly 3 years before moving into the office as the operations manager.

Being from the UK, hunting was not a part of growing up, however, colleagues at Outward Bound introduced him to bow hunting and the mindfulness that comes with stalking, shooting, and processing your own game.

During this transition away from the field and into the office, he got his dog Ahi, and met his partner Madi. Whilst his parents still live in the UK and his brother’s family in Singapore, he’s hoping to make New Zealand his home.

He’s grateful to his parents and brother, who have always supported and encouraged him to take on new challenges, explore the world, and follow his passions. And to his partner Madi, for encouraging him on this journey, and who he can’t wait to face the challenges ahead with.

Here are the ten items Jit selected to bring on his survival journey:

1. Bow and Arrows

2. Fishing Gear

3. Pot

4. Ferro Rod

5. Water Bottle

6. Multitool

7. Paracord

8. Shovel

9. Tarp

10. Saw